Motorious takes narrow victory over Sumter in Joe Hernandez Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Motorious was on the wrong end of the finish of the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 2, losing by a neck after an impressive rally.

In Saturday’s Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes at Santa Anita, which had a purse of $201,500, Motorious was the runner with a narrow lead at the wire, finishing a head in front of Sumter.

Ridden by Antonio Fresu, in his only mount of the day, Motorious closed from fourth on the hillside to record his fourth career stakes win.

“I was confident he was the best horse in the race,” Fresu said. “I knew he’d get me there. He has a lot of class.

“It makes my job a little easier. He’s proved to be one of the best sprinters here.”

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Motorious ($3.80) ran about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course in 1:11.86 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 98. Fresu noted that Motorious was slow to warm up, although the veteran gelding gave a top-level effort.

Motorious stalked the longshot pacesetter Code Duello before moving closer to the front after the field crossed onto the main turf oval. Motorious took the lead in the final furlong and was fully extended to stay in front of 12-1 Sumter.

“It took a while to get him in a nice rhythm,” Fresu said. “When I turned him loose, he was grinding and he was at his best in the last 100 yards.”

The Hernandez Stakes was the best result in a graded stakes for Sumter, a three-time winner in minor stakes.

“He ran great,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “It might be the best race he’s ever run.”

Sumter finished 1 1/2 lengths in front of 16-1 Irideo, who closed from last of eight.

Code Duello (68-1) finished fourth, followed by Gaslight Dancer, Central Dispatch, Air Force Red and Unconquerable Keen. Air Force Red, winner of the 2022 Hernandez Stakes, raced in traffic in the stretch on Saturday and was beaten 5 1/2 lengths.

Motorious, a 6-year-old British-bred gelding by the Oasis Dream stallion Muhaarar, has won 8 of 21 starts and earned $807,604.

With a first-place purse of $120,000, the Hernandez Stakes was the richest win for Motorious, but not his most lucrative race. Motorious earned $170,000 for the second-place finish in the BC Turf Sprint in November.

Fresu is currently serving a suspension for a riding infraction earlier this year. He was allowed to ride the Hernandez Stakes because it is a graded stakes exempt from routine suspensions.

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