Rocket Heat returns to turf for Joe Hernandez Stakes
ARCADIA, Calif. – Speed is a valuable attribute in a racehorse, but excessive speed can be a cruel liability. In between is a sweet spot that Rocket Heat is still trying to find this winter at Santa Anita.
The quickest turf sprinter in California, Rocket Heat will shake loose again Sunday in the $75,000 Joe Hernandez Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on the downhill turf course. His chance to win corresponds directly to his allocation of speed.
“He’s just got to turn it off on the lead,” trainer Vann Belvoir said. “He can’t go 20 and 4 [seconds].”
Rocket Heat set the fastest fractions of the season in the restricted Clocker’s Corner on Jan. 24, which was his most recent turf sprint. He sped 20.98 and 42.82 seconds, opened up by three lengths into the lane, but was already spent. He tired to second. Two weeks later, he was unplaced in the Grade 2 Palos Verdes on dirt.
Rocket Heat benefits Sunday by a return to turf and a rider switch. Rocket Heat is reunited with Rafael Bejarano, who rode him to victory in a five-furlong turf race at Del Mar on Nov. 21.
“Bejarano knows how to get him to relax,” Belvoir said. “He finished well with Bejarano.”
Rocket Heat’s main rival is Hunt, an impressive winner in his first start on the hill last out. Others include the sharp Guns Loaded and the stretch-running stakes winners Home Run Kitten, Holy Lute, Papacoolpapacool, and Bench Warrant.
The Joe Hernandez is race 4 on Sunday. An allowance route for 3-year-olds, race 3, includes the California debut of Malibu Sunset. He won his Fair Grounds debut last month by more than 10 lengths before being transferred from Wayne Catalano to Bob Baffert.
Joe Hernandez Stakes, Race 4
KEY CONTENDERS
Rocket Heat, by Latent Heat
Last 3 Beyers: 87-93-92
◗ This is his fourth start of the meet; Rocket Heat finished third in the Grade 3 Daytona on Dec. 26.
◗ After a runner-up finish sprinting on turf in the Clocker’s Corner, Rocket Heat finished fourth Feb. 7 in the Palos Verdes on dirt.
“It was a little quick back for him,” Belvoir said. “Hopefully, he has rebounded; he had one good work in between.”
Hunt, by Dark Angel
Last 3 Beyers: 88-83-88
◗ Trainer Phil D’Amato has won six of 11 turf sprints at this meet in which he had a starter; jockey Flavien Prat has been the meet’s most productive turf-sprint rider, with six wins from 25 mounts.
◗ Hunt figures for a cozy trip positioned second behind Rocket Heat. The horse Hunt defeated last out, Hawkedon, was scheduled to start favored in race 7 on Friday.
Guns Loaded, by D’wildcat
Last 3 Beyers: 90-84-92
◗ His win in a $40,000 claiming turf sprint Dec. 27 earned a Beyer Speed Figure only one point lower than the top Beyer of Rocket Heat.
◗ Doug O’Neill trains Guns Loaded, a six-time winner wheeling back on short notice after winning an off-the-turf allowance last Saturday. Santiago Gonzalez rides.