Gas Me Up, a five-year-old gelding by Hard Spun, came from last to win the G2 Joe Hernandez Stakes going 6.5 furlongs on the downhill turf at Santa Anita on December 29th. He set a new stakes record and was just two-fifths off the track record. Zio Jo, by Nyquist, also made a late move to finish third.
Gas Me Up broke slowly and was last of all down the backstretch before coming six wide around the turn and flying home down the middle of the track to win by just over a length. He had previously won the G2 King Edward Stakes at Woodbine in August and was third in the G1 Woodbine Mile in September.
Bred in Ontario by Sam-Son Farm, Gas Me Up is the second Stakes winner out of the Stakes-placed Smart Strike mare Chic Thrill. The gelding's full brother, Give It a Whirl, captured the 2024 Bald Eagle Derby at Laurel Park. Chic Thrill is out of Canadian Champion juvenile filly, Catch the Thrill, and is a half sister to Stakes-winner Curlin’s Catch.
Gas Me Up is one of 21 Stakes horses for Hard Spun in 2025 - more than any other stallion standing for less than $45,000. His other Graded Stakes winners this year include G3 Seaway winner Elysian Field and G3 Bessarabian winner Pondering, who also captured the KY Downs Preview Ladies Turf Sprint.
Hard Spun will stand the 2026 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for $20,000, stands and nurses.
