Spooky Express Sports Betting News & More

Joe Hernandez Stakes Betting Preview

December 30, 2023



Uncover an exciting race at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, as the Joe Hernandez Stakes G2 unfolds, showcasing 13 lively horses on a 6 ½ furlong turf track. Scheduled for the opening race at 3:00 PM ET on Saturday, December 30, competitors vie for a portion of the $200,000 prize. Watch Forbidden Kingdom closely, as it leads the market as the favored contender with odds set at 3-1.



Joe Hernandez Stakes Betting Preview

Explore a variety of strong competitors in the 2023 Joe Hernandez Stakes, with many poised to demonstrate their abilities following impressive recent performances. Some of these performances include notable graded stakes that provide valuable insights into their potential for the upcoming event.



Tahoe Sunrise is the only horse in the field coming off a recent victory. In total, there are four horses that have placed in the top three, which should help narrow down which ones could replicate that success. 



Horses with Best Chance to Win

Check out various betting opportunities for the 2023 Joe Hernandez Stakes, highlighting standout contenders among the horses and providing excellent options to enhance your exacta or trifecta wagers.



Balnikhov 4-1

Balnikhov is returning to racing after a third place finish at the Seabiscuit Handicap G2 event. This improved his resume to a win, runner-up, and a third place finish in seven races this year.  He is trained by Philip D’Amato, so he should have a great form here. In total, he has earned six wins, five runner-ups, and three third place finishes in 22 starts.



Tahoe Sunrise 4-1

Tahoe Sunrise is having a great season to kick off his career. He is trained by Bob Baffert and is coming off a win at the Shared Belief Stakes. In just his six starts for his career, he has three wins, a runner-up, and two third place finishes.



Odds, Series Trends and Free Pick

Look into the betting odds offered by MyBookie for the 2023 Joe Hernandez Stakes. Evaluate the chances of various horses to match your betting objectives from the options provided.


  • Lucky Score 5-1

  • Balnikhov 4-1

  • Daniel’s Magic 12-1

  • Forbidden Kingdom 3-1

  • Peaceful Waters 6-1

  • I’m A Gambler 5-1

  • Lovesick Blues 6-1

  • Johnny Podres 30-1

  • Tahoe Sunrise 4-1

  • Turn On The Jets 5-1

  • Olympic Runner 8-1

  • Front Run The Fed 15-1

  • Dancing Buck 6-1



Forbidden Kingdom 3-1

Forbidden Kingdom has not had the best start to kick off his year, as he has only placed on the top three once out of two events. Just recently, he placed fourth at the Triple Bend G2 event.



However, looking at past performances, he has three wins, three runner-ups, and two third place finishes in 11 career starts. If he gets a good jump out of the gate, he has a great opportunity to win this.

Final Pick: Forbidden Kingdom at 3-1 to Win