Hernandez poised to take over as new kingpin in Southern California riding colony

ARCADIA, Calif. -- The person most surprised that Fly the Sky won Saturday’s seventh race at Santa Anita may have been winning jockey Juan Hernandez.

Hernandez was nearly unseated at the start of a starter allowance at 1 1/8 miles on turf when Fly the Sky stumbled. Hernandez made a spectacular recovery to stay aboard. That alone was remarkable until Hernandez regained his balance, secured his feet back in the irons, and settled into riding Fly the Sky.

Fly the Sky rallied from sixth in a field of eight to win by a neck. Sunday, Hernandez recalled how fortunate he was to not fall off.

“My horse stumbled really bad,” he said. “I went sideways right after that and lost my balance. I needed a couple of more strides to get my balance. It happened really quick.”

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Fly the Sky was Hernandez’s only win on Saturday. He rode one more winner on Sunday to secure his position in second place in the jockey standings with 63 wins, nine behind absent Flavien Prat, who moved to Kentucky earlier this spring.

Hernandez, 30, is expected to catch Prat in coming weeks and finish the winter-spring meeting on June 19 as the leading rider. If Prat had stayed at Santa Anita, Hernandez would not be the heir apparent, but he has become a rider in greater demand in recent weeks.

Hernandez said on Sunday that he will stay in Southern California in early May, when some riders are traveling to Churchill Downs to ride major stakes on Kentucky Derby weekend.

Prat has been the dominant rider at Del Mar and Santa Anita for the last several years, but will pursue higher purses at Keeneland, Belmont Park, and Saratoga through the summer. Without Prat, Hernandez is expected to be in high demand for the popular Del Mar meeting this summer.

Hernandez said he is fully aware of the discussions of how he is expected to dominate. He said he is trying not to get carried away by such conversations.

“I don’t think like that,” he said. “A lot of people told me a lot of things. We’ll keep it the same. Keep winning and win some Grade 1 races and ride some good horses.”