In an exciting race on December 28, 2024, Motorious, the favorite for the Joe Hernández Stakes at Santa Anita, came from behind to win with a thrilling finish. After placing second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint earlier this year, Motorious showed his strength by narrowly defeating his opponents in the 6 1/2-furlong race on Santa Anita’s famous hillside turf course. This win adds another impressive victory to his career.
Motorious Holds Off Strong Competition
Motorious, a 6-year-old gelding trained by Phil D’Amato, was the 4-5 favorite for the race. He started from a mid-pack position while Code Duello, a 68-1 long shot, raced ahead and set a fast pace. Code Duello led the pack with a fast time of 21.81 seconds for the first quarter-mile and 43.78 seconds at the half-mile. Meanwhile, Sumter, another strong contender, stayed close to Motorious throughout the race.
As the race entered its final stretch, Code Duello started to fade, allowing Motorious and Sumter to battle for the lead. In the last few strides, it seemed that Sumter had the advantage, but Motorious surged ahead to claim victory by a head. The final time for the race was 1:11.86, a strong finish on the firm turf.
Rider and Trainer Reactions
Jockey Antonio Fresu, who also rode Motorious in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, was pleased with how his horse performed. “He’s proved to be a very good horse sprinting and going down the hill,” Fresu said after the race. “Today, I tried to give him a really good warm-up. When I let him loose down the lane, he just kept grinding, and I thought he finished best.”
Trainer Phil D’Amato expressed some nervousness during the race, especially when Mike Smith, riding Sumter, made an inside move. “I was very nervous,” D’Amato admitted. “Mike Smith slipped up on the inside and got the jump on us. It was a dogfight from there on out. Luckily, we prevailed.”
Motorious’ Career Achievements
This win marked Motorious’ fourth career stakes win. Bred in England, Motorious has become a respected runner in the U.S., especially on turf courses like the one at Santa Anita. Before the Joe Hernández Stakes, Motorious had a strong second-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, where he was narrowly defeated by just a neck. He also won the Green Flash (G3) at Del Mar in August and the San Simeon (G3) at Santa Anita in 2023.
With this win, Motorious now has a career record of 21: 8-5-2 and total earnings of $807,604. His owner, Anthony Fanticola, and trainer Phil D’Amato will now give him a break and expect him to return to racing in the spring of 2025 for his 7-year-old season.
Motorious’ victory in the Joe Hernández Stakes was another exciting moment in his career. After coming so close to winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, his win at Santa Anita proved that he has the skill and determination to win big races. This win also shows that he’s a strong competitor on turf courses, especially the challenging hillside track at Santa Anita. Fans will be eager to see how he performs in future races in 2025.
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