Santa Anita: Clubhouse Ride makes comeback in Joe Hernandez

ARCADIA, Calif. – Unbridled’s Note and Sweet Swap enter the $75,000 Joe Hernandez Stakes on Sunday at Santa Anita with clear attributes and low odds.

Bettors looking deeper into the field of turf sprinters will find Clubhouse Ride and Pure Tactics, new shooters with tempting credentials and opposite objectives.

Clubhouse Ride is a Grade 1-placed veteran returning from a five-month layoff with an affinity for the downhill course. But his target is still two months away at Charles Town.

“My main objective is to get to that million and a half dollars,” trainer Craig Lewis said, referring to the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic on April 19. Clubhouse Ride finished second in the race one year ago.

Pure Tactics, a recent addition to the Doug O’Neill stable, is a lightly raced 5-year-old dropping in class and shortening in distance. He won 5 of 12 based mostly at Fair Grounds, and will aim high in California.

“We’re dreaming of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint,” O’Neill said.

Clubhouse Ride and Pure Tactics are the curious unknowns in the Joe Hernandez, which attracted a field of seven including dropper Moonshine Bay, sharp claiming-race winner Zimmer, and comebacker Rosengold.

Unbridled’s Note is 3 for 6 on the hill, including the 2013 Joe Hernandez and Grade 3 Daytona on Dec. 28. Corey Nakatani rides Unbridled’s Note, the likely favorite. Likely second choice is Sweet Swap, a recent comeback runner-up. Joe Talamo rides Sweet Swap.

The richest in the field is Clubhouse Ride, who rose to handicap-division prominence last season, finishing second to Game On Dude in three straight before winning the Grade 2 Californian at Hollywood Park. Clubhouse Ride tailed off in autumn and was freshened.

Clubhouse Ride’s winter campaign was postponed by foot issues, but recent works are positive, according to his trainer.

“His last couple works have been really good,” Lewis said. “He doesn’t have to win [Sunday], but I would like to see a good effort.”

Tyler Baze will ride Clubhouse Ride, a hillside winner in 2012 and in the money in 3 of 4 starts on the layout. Pending his comeback, Lewis could wheel him back March 8.

“He could wind up in the Big Cap, or the San Carlos, or the grass mile [Frank E. Kilroe Mile]. He will be nominated to all three races.” The question is if Clubhouse Ride is as good as he was last year.

“He’s a happy horse, and a tough horse,” Lewis said. “If nothing else, I’m hoping to make him a millionaire.”

Fourth or better Sunday will do it. Clubhouse Ride has won four races and $997,994 from 32 starts.

Pure Tactics was bequeathed to trainer Morris Nicks when his former owner passed away. Morris subsequently sold Pure Tactics to O’Neill interests, and he arrived in California early this month.

“He’s a lightly raced 5-year-old, a big, good-looking horse,” O’Neill said. “And we got [Rafael Bejarano], who rides that course pretty darn well.”

O’Neill was fortunate to pick up Bejarano, who might have ridden John Sadler-trained Sweet Swap. Bejarano is temporarily out of the Sadler stable.

Other contenders in the Joe Hernandez include Moonshine Bay, third last time out in the Grade 2 Palos Verdes after dueling with Secret Circle. Gary Stevens rides the gelding, a former $5,000 claiming horse at Turfway Park and now a 15-race winner from 37 starts.