Hernandez Stakes now 6 1/2 furlongs on flat; O'Neill duo proven in non-Lasix races

ARCADIA, Calif. – The latest regulatory twist to California racing goes into effect Friday at Santa Anita, where the 2021 season begins with a major change in medication policy.

The Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes on New Year’s Day is the first stakes under the new code that prohibits Lasix in graded stakes for older horses. Lasix, a diuretic believed to prevent bleeding from the lungs, was disallowed for California 2-year-olds in 2020.

While the long-term effect of the Lasix ban is uncertain, it comes as no surprise following a recent spate of actions that have significantly altered racing in California. Beyond the Lasix ban, whip use is curtailed, ontrack fans are not allowed due to the coronavirus pandemic, and downhill turf sprints have been replaced by an extended turf chute on the backstretch.

The Joe Hernandez, previously run on the hill and last year at 5 1/2 furlongs on the flat, is now 6 1/2 furlongs on the flat. A deep field was entered, including graded winners Wildman Jack, Blitzkrieg, True Valour, Chaos Theory, and 2020 winner Texas Wedge. All 11 entered in the $200,000 Hernandez raced with Lasix in recent starts.

But Lasix-off is nothing new for Doug O’Neill-trained Wildman Jack and Blitzkrieg. They campaigned successfully last winter and spring in the Middle East, where Lasix is not allowed.

“When we took that string to Dubai, we [thought] this is going to be interesting,” O’Neill said. “But you learn the horses that can tolerate it, hopefully the better horses can, and these two did.”

:: Click to learn about our DRF's Free Past Performance program.

Wildman Jack raced twice in Dubai and set a Meydan record for six furlongs on turf (1:07.61) when he crushed a Group 3. Blitzkrieg, who raced four times in Dubai, was second in a listed stakes race and third in a Group 3. No Lasix, no problem.

“It gives us a little more confidence knowing that they can run well without Lasix,” O’Neill said. “As for the rest, the jury’s out.”

The jury also is out regarding Wildman Jack at 6 1/2 furlongs. He won the Grade 3 Daytona at Santa Anita first start back from Dubai, but has not raced beyond 5 1/2 furlongs on turf since he returned. Last out, in the 5 1/2-furlong Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland, he engaged in a wicked pace duel, led by a length in deep stretch, and tired. He finished seventh by three lengths.

O’Neill is banking on easier fractions for Wildman Jack as he stretches to 6 1/2 furlongs.

“Hopefully, it makes the early and inner pace a little softer,” he said. “He doesn’t have that ‘accelerator-stuck’ personality. A little bit softer early pace will give him more punch down the lane.”

Abel Cedillo rides Wildman Jack, a son of Goldencents owned and bred by W.C. Racing of Glenn Sorgenstein. Wildman Jack could be the speed of the field, while Blitzkrieg is expected to rally from behind under Victor Espinoza. He is shortening from a route.

“Six and a half down the hill has really been his distance, and though this isn’t down the hill, the distance fits him well,” O’Neill said.

Since he was claimed for $25,000 almost two years ago, Blitzkrieg has won four races, including two Grade 3 miles, and earned $354,711 for his new connections. In early 2019, he won three successive downhill races.

True Valour is back in California for the first time since he was purchased for $225,000 at a horses of racing age auction in summer 2020. Now owned by R. Larry Johnson, the 7-year-old won Grade 2 and Grade 3 turf miles at Santa Anita in early 2019. True Valour is now trained by Graham Motion. His focus is on the short game.

“We finally came around to the idea that he’s a sprinter, which I probably should have realized earlier,” Motion said. “I guess it’s always in my nature to try and stretch horses out, but I think this is what he wants to do, and it’s what his pedigree says he wants to do.”

True Valour, by Kodiac, arrives from Motion’s Maryland base in top form. The 7-year-old won an allowance sprint on synthetic two back at Woodbine, and last out finished third in a strong turf sprint stakes at Aqueduct. True Valour raced nine times last year, at five different tracks.

“At this time of year, you worry a little bit he’s had a long season and done some traveling,” Motion said. “I just hope we’re not squeezing the lemon a little bit. He acts fresh, and he’s done great since his last start.”

Drayden Van Dyke rides True Valour, who typically rallies from the middle or back. The Hernandez will be his fifth start since Motion took over training, and the first time True Valour will race without Lasix since summer 2018.

“He hasn’t been a bleeder with me, so I’m not overly concerned with it,” Motion said. “None of us are going to know until we try them without.”