Jockey Hernandez making early-meet impact

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Among the new additions to the local jockey colony this winter is Rafael Hernandez, who wasted little time in making his presence felt by guiding St. Borealis to victory from post 14 in Saturday’s Claiming Crown Tiara. Hernandez came to town at the behest of trainer Wesley Ward, who found the nine-year veteran while running horses this summer in the Midwest.

St. Borealis was the fourth stakes winner Hernandez has ridden for trainer Mike Maker and owner Ken Ramsey.

“He’s a refugee from Fairmount Park, and I have to congratulate Wesley Ward for discovering this guy,” said Ramsey. “He called me and said the kid could ride and asked if I would use him on my horses. I said yes, and he was right, this kid can flat out ride. There are no two ways about it.”

Hernandez, a native of Puerto Rico, has won 202 Thoroughbred races and is winning at a 28 percent success rate this season, with most of those wins coming at Fairmount Park and Hawthorne. His book is being handled by agent Cliff Collier.

“I was a bit nervous riding at Gulfstream for the first time, but at the same time very excited,” said Hernandez. “This is a beautiful place, and I know I can learn a lot more by staying here this winter.”