Motorious returns In Grade II, $200,000 Joe Hernandez Stakes
At 0h03, on December 28, 2024 • By Santa Anita
Motorious, who came up a nose short in last month’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar, headlines a field of nine set to go in next Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 Joe Hernandez Stakes at about 6 ½ furlongs on Santa Anita’s hillside turf course.
In the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint going five furlongs, Motorious rallied from 10th under Antonio Fresu and was narrowly edged by European invader Starlust. In his previous start, Motorious won the GIII Green Flash going five furlongs at Del Mar on Aug. 31.
Motorious, who is trained by Phil D’Amato for owner Anthony Fanticola, has a record of 4: 2-1-1 on Santa Anita’s unique hillside turf course including a win in last year’s GIII San Simeon. The 6-year-old gelding by Muhaarar has an overall mark of 20: 7-5-2 with $687,604 in earnings. He will again have Fresu in the irons.
D’Amato also entered Unconquerable Keen and Sorrento Sky, who most recently were separated by a half-length when running one-two in the five-furlong Stormy Liberal Stakes at Del Mar Dec. 1.
Unconquerable Keen also won the Stormy Liberal in 2023. He is winless in two starts over the hillside turf course.
Umberto Rispoli, who rode Unconquerable Keen in the Stormy Liberal, again has the call. The 5-year-old gelding by the Danehill stallion Clodovil has a record of 20: 7-2-4 with $333,089 in earnings. He is campaigned by CYBT, Omar Aldabbagh and Michael Nentwig.
