Texas Wedges Wins Big In The Gr.2 Joe Hernandez
Texas Wedge rallied late to storm the wire in the Gr.2 Joe Hernandez Stakes. He beat Bay Muzik and Double Touch under Flavien Prat, winning by three-quarters of a length.
Trained by Peter Miller, the 5yo Colonel John gelding returned to Santa Anita Park from an extended stay in Kentucky to get 5 ½ furlongs on turf in 1:02.47.
Breaking alertly from post position four in a field of 10 older horses, Texas Wedge got away alertly, overcame some jostling up the backside to make his way down to the home stretch.
Owned by Altimira Racing Stable, Rafter JR Ranch, LLC, STD Racing Stable and Miller, Texas Wedge notched his first stakes win in the Hernandez and with the winner’s share of $120,000, increased his earnings to $313,530 from an overall mark of 13-5-3-2.
English-bred Double Touch ridden by Victor Espinoza, was next to last after the first mile and was up to nail Bay Muzik for the place by a head while returning $11.40 and $6.60.
Ridden by Tyler Baze, Bay Muzik, who looked as though he might pull off a big upset, stayed gamely late and just missed the place.