Hernandez clan makes Louisiana racing a family affair

OPELOUSAS, La. – Racing in southern Louisiana has always been a family affair. The riding Hernandez clan, however, has taken it to a whole new level.

First, there was Brian Sr., a blue-collar journeyman who carved out a useful, if not spectacular, living for his family while racing almost exclusively in southern Louisiana. He rode his first winner at Delta Downs in 1990 at age 24, and 1,316 wins and 24 years later, he hung up his tack up for the last time, retiring following the Delta meeting that concluded in March. He immediately took up the job of valet at the current Evangeline Downs stand. His strong work ethic set a good example for his three children who followed him into the saddle.

“I’ve had a lot of people work for me, and he is the hardest worker, the best worker I’ve ever had,” veteran trainer Dale Angelle once said of the elder Hernandez. “He gets up out of bed, goes to work, works all day, always in a good mood. Not many people like that anymore.”

The first of the Hernandez kids to follow in dad’s footsteps was Brian Jr. Nicknamed “B.J.” at an early age, Brian Jr., 29, has attained a higher profile than his father. He won the Eclipse Award for top apprentice in 2004 and took the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Classic with Fort Larned. Brian Jr. is rapidly closing in on his father’s win total, as he has 1,224 career victories.

Next in line came Colby. Much like his father, Colby, 26, has plied his trade mostly at Delta and Evangeline, where he rode his first winner in September 2006. He is a perennial top-five rider at both ovals and is winning at a better clip than either his dad or older brother, as he already has more than 1,000 wins. He is second in the standings at Evangeline, the same position he finished in following the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

The latest addition to the Hernandez riding dynasty is Courtney, 20, who picked up her first career win in March at Delta. Quietly confident, the youngest Hernandez said she was neither pushed nor discouraged from a career in the saddle.

“It was totally my decision,” she said recently. “The only condition was that I finish high school.”

The youngest Hernandez also realized at an early age the kind of commitment it takes to be a successful rider.

“I’ve been galloping horses since I was 13,” she said. “I’ve ponied horses. Race riding was just a natural progression. I know you have to be totally dedicated. Being a mother, starting a family, all that is tough to do if you want to really succeed. Still, riding is everything I thought it would be.”

While her brothers and father have obviously had some influence on her riding style, Courtney named three other riders whom she tries to emulate.

“I got to spend some time with Rosie [Napravnik] in the [jockeys’] room at Fair Grounds, and she is just terrific, a real inspiration,” she said. “I also like Calvin [Borel]. He just stays so positive about things. The one rider I really like to watch is Pat Day. I loved the way he used to sit on a horse. I’ll just get on my exerciser sometimes and just watch some of his old races.”

Courtney will be the last Hernandez in the pipeline, at least for a while.

“I’ve got a twin brother named Corey,” she said. “But he is much more into cars than he is horses.”