Hit the Road Returns to Action in Joe Hernandez

Grade 1 winner Hit the Road , sidelined since the Jan. 29 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Presented by Baccarat (G1T), will make his long-awaited return in the Dec. 31 $250,000 Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2T), run at about 6 1/2 furlongs over Santa Anita Park's hillside turf course.

Hit the Road had been nominated to make his comeback in opening day's San Gabriel Stakes (G2T) Dec. 26, but trainer Dan Blacker was not too keen on the race's 1 1/8-mile distance. In the Pegasus World Cup going the same nine-furlong trip, he never threatened and finished eighth. It was Hit the Road's only time racing beyond a mile.

The 5-year old son of More than Ready  has never run over the hillside turf course. His lone previous time sprinting came in his 2019 debut when going 4 1/2 furlongs on dirt.

"There were no races going a mile, so really the only race that made sense was the Joe Hernandez," Blacker said. "And you know, going down the hill, you never know if they are going to run well over the distance until you try it. But typically milers do well, so I think he has a good chance if there's a strong pace.

"Coming out of the Pegasus, it was nothing major but he had an accumulation of minor things, so we gave him four months off," Blacker said. "He's been training really well since he's been back."