Hernandez to ride at Gulfstream Park this winter

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Brian Hernandez Jr., who has become a perennial top-five rider on the Kentucky circuit, is making a major change in his winter schedule. Hernandez will ride at the Gulfstream Park championship meet, which starts Dec. 1, forgoing his annual pilgrimage to Fair Grounds in his native Louisiana.

“A lot of our top outfits are headed to Florida, so we thought we’d give it a shot,” said Hernandez’s longtime agent, Frank Bernis, referring to trainers such as Kenny McPeek, Rusty Arnold, and Ian Wilkes.

Hernandez, who turns 33 on Breeders’ Cup Saturday, was born in Lafayette, La., and began his career in his home state, winning the 2004 Eclipse Award for top apprentice. He has won more than 1,800 races, including the 2012 BC Classic on Fort Larned.

Interruption of Single 6

The Single 6 will be a 20-cent wager with a jackpot provision for most of the 21-day meet, but not for the two Breeders’ Cup days, when a regular $2 pick six will be in effect.

Unlike in recent years with the Kentucky Derby, when carryovers from the $2 pick six have been divvied up for ensuing Churchill cards, there will be a mandatory payout on Breeders’ Cup Saturday – regardless of whether or not a perfect ticket is sold – on the pick six, the pick five, and the super high five ending with the BC Classic.

The Single 6 carryover from Thursday will be paused until the next regular Churchill card on Sunday, Nov. 4.

◗ Jockey Chris Landeros has been suspended for three days by the Keeneland stewards for his role in the disqualification of Beach Flower from first to third in the Grade 3 Dowager last Sunday. Landeros will start serving the days on Breeders’ Cup Saturday and will be back riding Nov. 8.