The Joe Hernandez Stakes is a turf sprint for older horses named for Santa Anita’s original racecaller Joe Hernandez, who did not miss a day from the track’s grand opening on Christmas Day 1934 through January 1972. During that span, Hernandez called 15,587 races in a row. Hernandez, who got his start as a racecaller at Aqua Caliente in Tijuana, Mexico, also owned and raced Hall of Famer Cougar II.
The Joe Hernandez Stakes is a turf sprint for older horses named for Santa Anita’s original racecaller Joe Hernandez, who did not miss a day from the track’s grand opening on Christmas Day 1934 through January 1972. During that span, Hernandez called 15,587 races in a row. Hernandez, who got his start as a racecaller at Aqua Caliente in Tijuana, Mexico, also owned and raced Hall of Famer Cougar II.
Santa Anita in December 1974 unveiled a bronze bust of Hernandez at the bottom of the track's main grandstand entrance. Two-time Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Stormy Liberal won the Joe Hernandez in 2017.