Breakthrough year for Juan Hernandez might get even better

No matter what happens in the next two months, this has been a career-defining year for California jockey Juan Hernandez. Through Thursday, Hernandez’s mounts have earned a personal-best $8,797,316, good enough to rank 13th in the nation.

“I never checked,” he said recently when reminded of his position in the standings. “That’s pretty good, right?”

Yes, very much so, particularly for a jockey who relocated from Northern California to the more lucrative Southern California circuit in the summer of 2020.

Hernandez could be on the verge of a career boost in the next week. In the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar next Friday and Saturday, Hernandez is booked to ride Barossa in the Juvenile, Mackinnon in the Juvenile Turf, and Eight Rings in the Dirt Mile.

Hernandez, 29, has had two mounts in Breeders’ Cup races, including a second on Anneau d’Or in the 2019 BC Juvenile at Santa Anita. At the time, Hernandez was based in Northern California.

Through Sunday, Hernandez was second in the jockey standings at the Santa Anita meeting with 12 wins, far behind leader Flavien Prat with 24.

Hernandez recently said he’s been surprised by his success in Southern California.

“I’m happy,” he said. “I said, ‘I want to go there and try.’ I wanted to see what happened. The trainers and owners have given me a lot of chances.”

Hernandez has taken advantage of the opportunity. Through last Sunday, he had won a career-best 24 stakes this year. Sunday, he rides the gelding Subconscious in the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita.

On the weekend of Oct. 16-17, Hernandez swept the two stakes run at Santa Anita, winning aboard Warren’s Showtime in the California Distaff Handicap and Indian Peak in the California Flag Handicap. Hernandez has been the regular rider of Warren’s Showtime since last November, a span of nine races that includes two stakes wins and second- and third-place finishes in the other seven races.

“He stays cool and he’s a terrific finisher,” Craig Lewis, who trains Warren’s Showtime, said of Hernandez. “He’s got a good temperament. If he messes up, you can let him know or he’ll let you know. It’s all in a day’s business.”

Hernandez has ridden Mackinnon in his last four starts, including wins in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf in September and the Zuma Beach Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 3. Mackinnon will be a longshot in the Juvenile Turf.

“He’s improving and he’s learned a lot,” Hernandez said.

A typical raceday morning for Hernandez involves morning workouts, a trip to the sauna, and a study session reviewing past performances and replays of afternoon mounts. He used to study the night before the races.

“When I went to sleep, I dreamed of the races,” he said.

The transition from Northern California to Southern California is complete for Hernandez, who says he’s still learning from other riders.

“I’ve been learning a lot from these riders and watching the back East riders and try to copy them and their style,” he said. “It makes me ride better.”