Churchill Downs
Brian Hernandez Jr. cleared to ride
Barbara D. Livingston Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. rode four winners Thursday at Churchill Downs.
Not only did Brian Hernandez Jr. lose a prime Kentucky Derby mount when Art Collector was declared out Tuesday with a minor injury, but the 34-year-old jockey tested positive for the coronavirus the previous day.
Fortunately for Hernandez, he was cleared to ride starting Thursday after being taken off all his Churchill mounts Tuesday and Wednesday. In a 2020-esque situation, he had subsequently tested positive Tuesday for the virus antibodies, and after lengthy consultation with health officials and Churchill officials Wednesday, the decision was made to allow him to resume riding on the basis that he is not an infectious danger to others.
Hernandez is named to ride in seven stakes here Thursday through Saturday.