How to bet the 2025 Joe Hernandez Stakes

An overflow field of 15 is entered for Monday’s $200,000 Joe Hernandez S. (G2) at Santa Anita. The about 6 1/2-furlong dash down the Hillside Turf Course features a bevy of legitimate win threats, and I feel compelled to find some value in the contest. 

Joe Hernandez Wagers

• $6 win and place #9 Gas Me Up ($12)
• $1 exacta box 3,6,8,9 ($12)
• 10-cent superfecta 8,9 with 3,6,8,9 with 3,6,8,9 with all ($8.40)
• 10-cent superfecta 8,9 with 3,6,8,9 with all with 3,6,8,9 ($8.40)

#9 Gas Me Up (5-1) is very interesting to me in his reappearance for trainer Peter Eurton. The Hard Spun gelding flashed good potential for this outfit as a juvenile in 2022, but he missed considerable time following that season. He maintained good health in 2025 for Kevin Attard and has posted some strong results in the process, including a third in the Woodbine Mile (G1) two back behind the fantastic Notable Speech. 

The Ontario-bred split the field while falling 4 1/4 lengths short in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) and, since changing barns, has been freshened up for this tilt. His last pair of sprints on the grass have resulted in fine wins, and he will be rolling home late at a price with Mirco Demuro in the controls. 

#8 El Potente (5-1) has won or placed in 10 races in succession and was last seen finishing a close third in the Seabiscuit (G2) at 1 1/16 grassy miles at Del Mar. The Dan Blacker pupil is 5-for-7 with a third on the local lawn, including a six-length maiden win at this trip. The six-year-old son of Temple City has a lot of room for improvement in his second outing since February and will never be far from the pace under Hector Berrios. 

Defending champ #6 Motorious (3-1) is among the better turf sprinters in training and always has to be included in dashes in California. The stout late runner from the Phil D’Amato shedrow is a four-time winner on the surface, and he also sports a fine 6-4-1-1 mark at this unique distance, as well. Regular pilot Antonio Fresu will take the reins once again.  

D’Amato’s #3 Sorrento Sky (6-1) hasn’t won since February, but the four-year-old colt likes this surface and is a mostly consistent runner with a lot of exotics appeal to me. The Irish-bred colt missed by a neck in the Stormy Liberal S. at Del Mar last time and will be arriving on the scene late beneath Umberto Rispoli.