Santa Anita Park is primed for a thrilling late-season turf sprint on Monday, December 29, with the Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes set as one of the marquee events of the day. Run over about 6 1/2 furlongs on the downhill turf course, this $200,000 stakes for three-year-olds and up brings together a deep, competitive field of grass sprinters with strong tactical speed and varied form patterns that make handicapping especially engaging.
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Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or casual fan tuning in just to catch quality racing action at 3:00 PM Eastern Time, knowing the odds, how to stream or watch live, and the key contenders will help you enjoy the race with clarity and insight.
Date: Monday, December 29, 2025
Track: Santa Anita Park (Arcadia, California)
Race: Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes (Race 7)
Post Time: ~3:00 PM ET
Distance: About 6 1/2 furlongs – Downhill turf
Purse: $200,000
Age: 3-year-olds and Older
The unique Santa Anita downhill turf course presents subtle challenges with its right-to-left chute and surface quirks. Horses with good early positioning and agility through the turn often fare best, though late closers have punched through when pace collapses.
Fans in the U.S. can catch the action in several ways without setting foot at Santa Anita. Most national simulcast services and racing networks feature Santa Anita’s stakes races live as part of their afternoon lineup.
Stakes action from Santa Anita, including the Joe Hernandez Stakes, is typically featured on major horse racing broadcast partners, such as FanDuel TV, under the “California Racing” banner (check local listings for exact channels and timing).
For those watching digitally, BUSR Live Streaming allows customers to stream Santa Anita Park races from anywhere, providing quick wagering access and live race feeds on phone, desktop, or tablet.
Check each provider’s schedule closer to post time, as programming can shift slightly around holiday cards.
Here’s a snapshot of the entries and morning line odds for the 2025 Joe Hernandez Stakes based on current published markets:
| M/L Odds | Runner | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-2 | Imagination | J. Hernandez | B. Baffert |
| 15-1 | Zio Jo | J. Rosario | D. O'Neill |
| 6-1 | Sorrento Sky (IRE) | U. Rispoli | P. D'Amato |
| 30-1 | Flyover | T. Baze | J. Sadler |
| 12-1 | Yellow Card | K. Kimura | M. McCarthy |
| 3-1 | Motorious (GB) | A. Fresu | P. D'Amato |
| 8-1 | Unconquerable Keen (IRE) | A. Ayuso | P. D'Amato |
| 5-1 | El Potente | H. Berrios | D. Blacker |
| 5-1 | Gas Me Up | M. Demuro | P. Eurton |
| 20-1 | Sumter | F. Prat | R. Mandella |
| 20-1 | Awesome Rhythm | A. Ayuso | V. Garcia |
| 20-1 | Schwarzmeier | E. Maldonado | P. Eurton |
| 30-1 | Feel The Magic | G. Franco | J. Valdez |
| 30-1 | Son Of A Birch | U. Rispoli | R. Falcone, Jr. |
| 15-1 | First Peace | M. Smith | M. Glatt |
Motorious – A proven turf sprinter with graded stakes form and versatility on the downhill course. Likely pace factor and smart trip player.
Imagination – Strong early foot and tactical speed, which can be a major asset down the hill. Don’t overlook if he controls the position.
El Potente – Solid form and outside draw could help him roll forward and stick on into the late stages.
Gas Me Up – Under the radar, but consistent and capable of nosing into exotic spots.
Sorrento Sky – Often in the mix, tactical runner with a chance to outrun his odds.
Unconquerable Keen – Classic late runner profile; worth using in vertical wagers if pace is fast up front.
Longshots (Sumter, Awesome Rhythm, First Peace, others) – Depth to the field means you can pepper exotics with potential bounce-back types or turf specialists who find favorable fractions.
The Joe Hernandez Stakes delivers a rich mix of experienced turf sprinters and value plays, all navigating Santa Anita’s quirky downhill layout. With pace scenarios likely to shape the finish and multiple live contenders in the odds board, this race is a textbook late-December wagering puzzle worth studying before the gates break.
Whether your goal is to stream the race in comfort or construct a sharp ticket, understanding where each horse fits in the pace and class landscape will go a long way toward making the most of this Grade 2 highlight.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
