The Joe Hernandez Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged four years old or older over the distance of 6+1⁄2 furlongs on the turf scheduled annually in January at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The event currently carries a purse of $250,000.

History

Inaugurated in 2008, the race is named in honor of Joe Hernandez, the race caller at Santa Anita Park from the time the track opened on Christmas Day 1934 until his death in 1972. Hernandez called 15,587 races in a row at Santa Anita during that time.

The event was predominantly raced on the downhill turf course over the about 6+1⁄2 furlongs distance. In 2010 the event was moved to the synthetic All Weather track due to weather. The 2015 running was also moved off the turf but by then Santa Anita Park had restored the natural dirt track.

In 2019 the event was upgraded to Grade III and a year later to Grade II.

In 2020 the event was moved and run using the backstretch start at a distance of 5+1⁄2 furlongs on turf, and the following year the event was run on the newly extended backstretch and close to the former distance of 6+1⁄2 furlongs.

The 2017 winner Stormy Liberal followed up winning the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint and repeating that effort in 2018.

The event was run twice in the calendar year in 2022 due to scheduling changes.

Records

Speed record:

  • about 6+1⁄2 furlongs – 1:10.88 – Gas Me Up (2025)

Margins:

  • 4+1⁄4 lengths – Distinctiv Passion (2015)

Most wins by a jockey

Most wins by a trainer

Winners

YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwnerDistanceTimePurseGradeRef
Joe Hernandez Stakes
2025Gas Me Up5Mirco DemuroPeter EurtonExline-Border Racing, Michael Jawl, Aaron Kennedy & Tom Zwieslerabt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs1:10.88$202,500II
2024Motorious6Antonio FresuPhilip D'AmatoAnthony Fanticolaabt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs1:11.86$201,500II
2023Forbidden Kingdom4Flavien PratRichard MandellaMyRacehorse & Spendthrift Farm6+1⁄2 furlongs1:14.92$203,500II
2022 (Dec)Air Force Red4Juan HernandezLeonard PowellEclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Holly Golightlyabt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs1:11.53$252,500II
2022 (Jan)Chewing Gum6Umberto RispoliWilliam I. MottPantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable & Jerold Zaro6+1⁄2 furlongs1:15.47$251,000II
2021Hembree7Joel RosarioPeter L. MillerTom Kagele6+1⁄2 furlongs1:13.80$201,000II
2020Texas Wedge5Flavien PratPeter L. MillerAltamira Racing Stable, Rafter JR Ranch, STD Racing Stable & A. Miller5+1⁄2 furlongs1:02.47$202,500II
2019Caribou Club5Joseph TalamoThomas F. ProctorGlen Hill Farmabt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs1:11.66$101,053III
2018Pee Wee Reese5Joseph TalamoPhilip D'AmatoNicholas B. Alexanderabt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs1:12.37$98,375Listed
2017Stormy Liberal5Norberto Arroyo Jr.Peter L. MillerRockingham Ranchabt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs1:11.89$80,035Listed
2016Guns Loaded5Santiago GonzalezDoug F. O'NeillWestside Rentals.com, Neil Haymes, Leo Rodriguez & Steve Rothblumabt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs1:12.60$79,190Listed
2015Distinctiv Passion5Edwin A. MaldonadoJeffrey L. BondeEdward J. Brown Jr., Alan Klein & Phillip Lebherz6+1⁄2 furlongs1:14.33$74,284
2014Sweet Swap5Joseph TalamoJohn W. SadlerHronis Racingabt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs1:12.28$76,900
Joe Hernandez Handicap
2013Unbridled's Note4Corey NakataniSteven M. AsmussenMike McCartyabt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs1:11.17$76,900
2012Mr Gruff8Joel RosarioRonald W. EllisGary Broadabt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs1:12.06$79,880
Joe Hernandez Stakes
2011Regally Ready4Corey NakataniSteven M. AsmussenVinery Stablesabt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs1:12.98$79,150Listed
2010Sangaree5Martin GarciaBob BaffertDarley Stable6+1⁄2 furlongs1:15.28$60,350
2009Noble Court5Joel RosarioJohn W. SadlerJoy Ride Racingabt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs1:12.16$71,300
2008Desert Code4Richard MiglioreDavid E. HofmansTarabilla Farmsabt. 6+1⁄2 furlongs1:12.36$76,850Listed

Legend: Turf All Weather Track Dirt