Stormy Liberal prepping for Dubai in Joe Hernandez

ARCADIA, Calif. – Eight weeks after his win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs and a little more than 12 weeks before a scheduled start in Dubai, Stormy Liberal will be a heavy favorite to win Tuesday’s Grade 3 Joe Hernandez Stakes at Santa Anita.

The $100,000 Hernandez Stakes is a prep race for the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at six furlongs on March 30 in Dubai from trainer Peter Miller’s perspective.

“It’s certainly not a must-win,” Miller said. “It’s a bridge to Dubai – that’s the way I’m looking at it.”

The Hernandez, run at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course, is a familiar race for Stormy Liberal. The gelding won the race in March 2017.

Miller has two other runners in the Hernandez with the multiple stakes winners Calculator and Conquest Tsunami. The most prominent runner in the field not trained by Miller is Caribou Club, winner of the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf on Nov. 24 at Del Mar.

:: Want to get the latest news with your past performances? Try DRF’s new digital PPs

KEY CONTENDERS

Stormy Liberal, by Stormy Atlantic
Last 3 Beyers: 119-106-101

◗ Owned by Rockingham Ranch and David Bernsen, Stormy Liberal has won his last four starts, a span that includes the Grade 3 Eddie D Stakes on the hillside turf course on Sept. 28. Stormy Liberal won the BC Turf Sprint at five furlongs by a neck over World of Trouble after a thrilling stretch run. Stormy Liberal has won the last two runnings of the BC Turf Sprint.

◗ Saturday, Miller described Stormy Liberal’s condition as “super.”

“This is our only logical race that we can go,” Miller said. “The timing is good.

“I don’t think I’ve got him 100 percent cranked up. I think he’s probably 90ish, but with him that might be enough.”

Conquest Tsunami, by Stormy Atlantic
Last 3 Beyers: 66-106-53

◗ Conquest Tsunami was beaten a head by Stormy Liberal when second in the Eddie D, but was 11th in the BC Turf Sprint, fading after a wide trip.

◗ Conquest Tsunami won twice on the hill in early 2018, leading throughout. He will be forwardly placed in the Hernandez.

“Conquest is tough when he can make the lead, which we will try to do with him,” Miller said.

Calculator, by In Summation
Last 3 Beyers: 91-89-96

◗ Calculator won the Clocker’s Corner Stakes on the hillside last January. The 7-year-old was an unlucky second in an allowance race with a $100,000 claiming option at five furlongs at Del Mar on Dec. 1, racing in traffic.

“He ran too good to lose,” Miller said.

Caribou Club, by City Zip
Last 3 Beyers: 97-103-97

◗ Caribou Club, who is trained by Tom Proctor, won an allowance race on the hillside course in 2017 and was beaten three-quarters of a length by Stormy Liberal when third in the Eddie D. Regular rider Joe Talamo has the mount Tuesday.

“I think he’s doing even better since his last race,” Talamo said. “He can put you in position and has a great turn of foot.”