Santa Anita: Sweet Swap gets first stakes win in Joe Hernandez Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – More than two years later than expected, Sweet Swap became a stakes winner in Sunday’s $76,900 Joe Hernandez Stakes at Santa Anita.

Sweet Swap won his debut at Del Mar in August 2011, but setbacks have limited the 5-year-old to 11 starts. The Hernandez Stakes was Sweet Swap’s second start in the last 10 months. He was second in the Clocker’s Corner Stakes on Jan. 26 and won the Hernandez Stakes over the same hillside turf course.

Ridden by Joe Talamo, Sweet Swap ($8.60) closed from fourth in a field of seven to win the race over about 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:12.28. Sweet Swap was second when the field crossed over the main track onto the main turf course and led by 1 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining.

“The pace was kind of slow, and I’m glad he was close to the pace,” trainer John Sadler said.

Rosengold set fractions of 22.39 and 44.56 seconds before fading in the final furlong. Sweet Swap finished 1 3/4 lengths in front of Zimmer, a 14-1 shot who was a half-length in front of 6-1 Pure Tactics.

Unbridled’s Note, the even-money favorite, finished fourth, followed by Clubhouse Ride, Moonshine Bay, and Rosengold. Unbridled’s Note was second in the stretch but could not sustain the effort.

Sweet Swap, by Candy Ride, is owned by Hronis Racing. Sweet Swap has won 5 of 11 starts and earned $227,133.

Sweet Swap is a full brother to Sidney’s Candy, who earned more than $1.1 million and won six stakes, including the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby in 2010.

“He’s showing the potential we thought he had,” Sadler said. “Being a full brother to Sidney’s Candy, we thought he was a good horse.”