Santa Anita's leading rider had a holiday weekend nothing short of memorable: of the nine stakes races carded, Hernandez won five including two of the holiday weekend's three Grade 1 events.
The panel of racing experts unanimously voted Hernandez the honor of Jockey of the Week for May 22 through May 29. The award recognizes jockeys for riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.
Sunday's first race, the Crystal Water Stakes, was a portent of things to come for Hernandez. Riding Kings River Knight for the first time for trainer John Sadler, Hernandez was in control throughout the race and posted a 2-1/4-length win in 1:34.55 for one mile on the turf.
“John (Sadler) told me this is a very nice and professional horse,” said Hernandez. “He was very smart out of the gate, and we won the race from there.”
In Race 5, Hernandez was aboard Ceiling Crusher in the Melair Stakes for trainer Doug O'Neill. Leading throughout, Ceiling Crusher won by an impressive 17 lengths in 1:44.25 for one and one-sixteenth miles.
Hernandez capped the day with his third stakes win aboard Old Pal for trainer Mark Glatt in the Snow Chief Stakes. Off as the second favorite, Old Pal saved ground throughout the race while racing in fifth in the field of seven. Old Pal rallied in mid-stretch to prevail by three-quarters of a length in 1:50.14 for the mile and one-eighth.
Monday's holiday card featured three Grade 1 stakes beginning with the Shoemaker Mile on the turf and trainer Peter Eurton giving a leg up to Hernandez on Exaulted. The pair stalked the pace and took the lead in early stretch. Confidently handled by Hernandez, Exaulted led by a length with a furlong to go and won by a half-length in 1:34.08. It was the fourth turf win in a row for Exaulted with Hernandez up.
“The horse has improved with every race,” said Hernandez. “He is always in a good position.”
Riding for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, Hernandez had the call aboard Defunded in the G1 Hollywood Gold Cup. Off as the favorite in the field of six, Defunded broke sharply and made every pole a winning one to post a one length victory. The win marked the first time Hernandez had won two Grade 1 races in one day.
“You dream about these big races,” said Hernandez. “I put him on the lead and he was comfortable. He was pulling on the backside and that is a good sign.”
Hernandez finished the day with an allowance win for trainer Peter Miller.
Other contenders for Jockey of the Week included Alex Birzer who won 13 races, Jose L. Ortiz who won the G3 Soaring Softly, Tiago Pereira who won the G1 Gamely at Santa Anita, and Cristian Torres with three stakes wins at Lone Star Park.
The post ‘You Dream About These Big Races’: Juan Hernandez Unanimously Voted Jockey Of The Week appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
