Motorious Will Get Break After Joe Hernandez Win

Motorious , who won the Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2T), Dec. 28 in his first start since a close second in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T), is headed for a vacation. Trainer Phil D'Amato said Motorious will take the rest of the winter off before returning for a 7-year-old campaign in April or May.

In the Joe Hernandez sprinting on the hillside turf course, Motorious got up just in time under Antonio Fresu to win by a head over Sumter  and Mike Smith. In August, prior to finishing a neck back in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar, he won the Green Flash (G3T) at Del Mar for the second year in a row.

By Muhaarar , Motorious was bred in England where he made his first seven starts. He is campaigned domestically by owner Anthony Fanticola. In 21 career starts, Motorious is 8-5-2 with $807,604 in earnings.

D'Amato's other entrant in the Joe Hernandez, Sorrento Sky , was scratched. D'Amato said the 3-year-old colt by Prince of Lir  was being rerouted to the restricted Clockers' Corner Stakes on Jan. 26 going six furlongs on the turf. Sorrento Sky, most recently second by a half-length in the Stormy Liberal Stakes at Del Mar Dec. 1, is 9: 3-3-1 with $158,058 in earnings.