Hernandez could be this winter's hot apprentice

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Winter time is the right time for an apprentice rider with talent to succeed in New York.

So far, it looks like Harry Hernandez fits that bill. Since coming to New York three weeks ago, Hernandez had won six races from 35 mounts entering Friday’s card. Three of those wins have come for David Jacobson, who should compete for leading trainer honors at the meet.

“He’s got a lot more experience than most five-pound bug riders,” Jacobson said. “He really has done a great job. He’s not making too many mistakes.”

Hernandez, 19, is a native of Puerto Rico and is a graduate of the same jockey school that produced Irad and Jose Ortiz, who have risen rapidly in the ranks at New York Racing Association tracks. Hernandez started riding in the U.S. about 10 months ago and won 69 races combined at Gulfstream Park during its April to June and July to October meetings. Hernandez won four stakes – apprentices don’t get the weight allowance in stakes races – including three for top south Florida trainer Marty Wolfson.

Hernandez won seven races at Gulfstream Park West before moving his tack here and winning aboard his first New York mount, McKenzies Way, on Nov. 18.

One reason Hernandez decided to come to New York was because top riders John Velazquez and Javier Castellano are riding in Florida during the winter.

“I love it here,” Hernandez said Friday morning. “With Johnny and Javier coming to Florida I was thinking of making another move and try it up here in New York.”

Hernandez, who also has two wins for Gary Contessa and one for Karl Grusmark, is represented by Mike Sellitto, who is also the agent for journeyman Junior Alvarado. Sellitto hopes that Hernandez has a future in New York beyond his apprenticeship, which is scheduled to end on Feb. 28.

“I’m counting on him staying as a young rider without the bug,” Sellitto said. “I’m looking for long term – he’s very talented. He’s got a work ethic that’s unbelievable. He’s in the barn area at 6 a.m. without me and he goes to Aqueduct [in the morning] on his own.”