There is plenty of good racing available on Thursday and Friday, including the Joe Hernandez Stakes at Santa Anita.
Looking to add another win to his impressive record is Hit the Road, who has attracted attention in horse racing betting markets.
Close out 2021 with some excellent racing action.
Hit the Road Stands Out
It’s a competitive field for the Grade II Joe Hernandez Stakes, but Hit the Road will be tough to beat.
The 4-year-old colt by More than Ready hasn’t won since June, but he has subsequently finished close behind the likes of Raging Bull and Mo Forza.
That’s top-level form and his effort for third in the City of Hope Mile is an excellent form guide for the Santa Anita feature on Friday.
The Dan Blacker-trained runner owns six wins from 12 starts, including a four-win stretch that started at Santa Anita. He won the Grade I Frank Kilroe Mile over Smooth Like Strait and we love that form.
A health scare was a big setback, and although scratched from the San Gabriel Stakes last week, he is fighting fit.
“I feel for the owners,” Blacker told DailyRacingForm. “We’d been gearing him for that race since he won the Kilroe. To get so close and have him doing so well and have to scratch was bitterly disappointing.
“We’ve got a sound, top-quality horse. With any luck, we’ll be back there next year.”
Hit the Road should be well-favored at the sportsbook. His biggest rivals are Caribou Club and Chaos Theory, who have competed at a high level.
Pick: Hit the Road
Drop in Class Helps Chaos Theory
Chaos Theory wasn’t able to keep up with them in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, but he should enjoy conditions at Santa Anita.
The son of Curlin finished 10th behind Golden Pal, but it could pay to look at his form from earlier in the year.
He ran fifth in the Joe Hernandez before placing in the Grade II Eddie D. Stakes behind Lieutenant Dan. There is little wrong with that form and credit goes to connections for having a go in the Breeders’ Cup.
The five-time winner has class on his side and he should test Hit the Road.
Byhubbyhellomoney Set for Bay Ridge
The $100,000 Bay Ridge at Aqueduct on Thursday has attracted only five runners, but it’s an intriguing field.
Byhubbyhellmoney not only has an excellent name, but she could give trainer Bob Dunham a belated birthday present.
Dunham turned 85 on Tuesday and he believes his 3-year-old filly is better than what she showed when running second in the Staten Island the last start.
“I was a little disappointed with that race. I didn’t like the way she finished up,” Dunham said. “She came out of it fine. She ate well and was training well, but I thought she had a chance. I wasn’t sure she could beat that filly, but I thought she’d be closer.”
Facing only five runners could see her performance improve and betting online markets will have her well-fancied.
Pick: Byhubbyhellomoney
Sharp Starr Has Upside
The Bay Ridge is a small but even field, which includes Sharp Starr. The 4-year-old filly won the Empire Distaff when beating race-rival Ice Princess and Byhubbyhellomoney.
She is a stakes winner having taken out the Go for Wand Handicap at Aqueduct, so class is on her side and having winning form at the track is ideal.
Her most recent effort came when failing to defend her Go for Wand Handicap crown, but running fourth behind Lady Rocket isn’t bad form.
We think she is the biggest danger to Byhubbyhellomoney and betting markets might have her as the slight favorite.