Del Mar's summer riding champion has taken advantage of Flavien Prat's absence this week and soared to the top of the jockey standings.
Juan Hernandez had a riding double on Thanksgiving Day to move into a tie with Prat, then came back and posted a riding triple on Friday to move ahead of his rival.
Prat is in Kentucky riding at Churchill Downs through Saturday. He's due back to the seaside track Sunday. Just enough time for Hernandez to increase his lead. He currently sits with 13 victories, Prat is next with 10.
Prat is the defending titleholder of the Bing Crosby Season after storming back with five victories on closing day last year. So whatever Hernandez can do to pad his lead is probably in his best interests.
Antonio Fresu and Umberto Rispoli are next with six victories. Followed by Kyle Frey and Edwin Maldonado with five.
The trainer standings at Del Mar find Bob Baffert leading the way with seven wins, but close behind is Philip D'Amato with six. That may change this weekend as Baffert only has two horses racing Saturday and Sunday, while D'Amato has nine, three alone in today's Seabiscuit (G2).
The two will face-off in the Native Diver (G3) Sunday.
“Any dirt stakes you run in in California, nines time out of 10 there's going to be a Bob Baffert in there,” D'Amato said with a smile. “It's to be expected.”
Peter Miller is next in the trainer standings with five victories. He brings seven starters to the races this weekend with an eye on the top spot. Doug O'Neill, Bob Hess, Jr. and Steve Knapp are next with four wins a piece.
Racing has been a little less 'chalky' this past week. Favorites have now won 31 of the 69 races, a 44% clip, down from 58% after the first four days of racing. The odds on favorites, 9-for-9 to start the meet, are still a good bet having won 16-of-18 through Friday.
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