Delta Downs apprentice Courtney Hernandez posts first victory

Apprentice jockey Courtney Hernandez won the first race of her career Friday night at Delta Downs, when her mount, Mission to Collect, finished in a dead heat for the win with Xstream Heart. The victory came in the fourth race. Hernandez rode Mission to Collect ($10.60) for trainer Shelton Zenon, Jr.

Hernandez, 20, hails from a riding family. She is the daughter of jockey Brian Hernandez. Her brother Brian Hernandez Jr. won the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Classic aboard Fort Larned, and in 2004 captured the Eclipse Award for apprentice jockey. Another brother, Colby Hernandez, collected the 1,000th win of his career last Saturday night at Delta.

Hernandez’s win aboard Mission to Collect came in a $5,000 conditioned claiming race for fillies and mares. The 6 1/2-furlong sprint was run around two turns on the six-furlong track at Delta.

Delta closes out its meet Saturday.