How to bet the 2022 Joe Hernandez Stakes

A fantastic group has been assembled for Saturday’s $250,000 Joe Hernandez S. (G2) at Santa Anita. The opener on the card will be contested at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course and attracted a superb field.

#5 Whatmakessammyrun (7-2) is 3-for-3 on the Santa Anita turf, which includes a win at the distance, and he gets top billing for conditioner Mark Glatt. The We Miss Artie gelding was best in the Eddie D. S. (G2) in a similar spot two back and had a nice prep for Saturday when a closing second in the Stormy Liberal S. at Del Mar last time out. 

The bay four-year-old possesses a huge turn of foot and lands in a field where the pace will be honest at the very least. Joe Bravo will be in the silks atop the Kentucky-bred and asking him for his best approaching the turn for home.

Grade 1 victor #8 Hit the Road (6-1) has an abundance of class to him and intrigues on the cutback to a sprint for trainer Dan Blacker. By More Than Ready, the five-year-old has not run in more than 11 months, and he’s winless in his last four outings, but the accomplished five-year-old runs well fresh and seems like an ideal fit for the race, as well. The Kentucky-bred bay will run with blinkers on for this test and will be guided by living legend Frankie Dettori.

#1 Lane Way (6-1) draws the tricky rail for the tilt but has been first or second in each of his four 2022 assignments for Richard Mandella. The gelded five-year-old boasts some tactical speed and strong turn of foot, and the $550,000 purchase has trained in very good fashion in advance of Saturday, too. Kentucky-bred bay will have Mike Smith in the irons, and with clear sailing, the contender will be in a nice spot in the latter stages of the dash.

I could make a case for several other contenders in the field but will base my plays around this trio.

Joe Hernandez Wagers

• $15 win and place #5 Whatmakessammyrun ($30)
• $7 exacta key box 5 with 1,8 ($28)
• 50-cent trifecta 1,5,8 with 1,5,8 with all ($27)