Few jockeys in California embody sheer dedication quite like Juan J. Hernandez, who once again finds himself on the brink of another Del Mar riding title. But behind the polished silks and picture-perfect finishes lies a life of constant motion—early mornings, long drives, and late nights, all fueled by family and fierce ambition.
“On Fridays, I work horses at Santa Anita in the morning,” Hernandez explains with a quiet smile. “Then I drive down to Del Mar to ride. After Sunday’s races, I head back home because Monday starts early again.”
It’s a grueling cycle—one that stretches him between two racecourses and two young children. His wife and kids stay home for school and weekend baseball tournaments, while he rents a hotel near Del Mar for the racing weekend. “It’s easier that way,” he says, “but I miss them every time.”
Still, Hernandez remains undeterred. His work ethic and calm under pressure have made him a constant at the top of the Southern California standings, claiming five straight Del Mar titles. If he captures the Bing Crosby Season again, it would mark his third consecutive year of sweeping both the summer and fall meets at the seaside track.
Credit Where It’s Due
Hernandez is quick to deflect praise. “It’s really the horses,” he insists. “They’re the ones giving me everything out there. I just try to help them.”
He’s equally generous with credit to the people behind the scenes: “Owners, trainers, my agent Craig O’Bryan—he’s there before anyone else in the morning, finding the best mounts. And the grooms—they do the real work. I’m just lucky to be part of the team.”
That humility has carried him far. Even after a bittersweet Breeders’ Cup, where he rode three runners-up—including Citizen Bull’s agonizing nose defeat to Nysos in the Dirt Mile—Hernandez sees the experience as fuel, not frustration.
“I was close,” he says, “but I tell myself—keep working, keep hustling. We’ll get that win next year.”
The Chosen Vron Stakes Headlines Saturday
While Hernandez chases history, Del Mar’s The Chosen Vron Stakes offers its own showcase for California-bred excellence. Eight horses will line up for Saturday’s seven-furlong test on the main track, renamed to honor the retired state-bred superstar The Chosen Vron.
Morning-line favorite Man O Rose, trained by Jeff Mullins, enters off a dramatic nose victory in the California Flag Stakes. Behind him come challengers Shea Brennan, Clovisconnection, and R. Heisman, each with something to prove.
Trainer Philip D’Amato believes his colt Shea Brennan is maturing well: “He’s just getting better with age. He’s drawn the rail again, but he knows how to handle it.”
The race, worth $100,000, runs as Race 8 on Saturday’s nine-race card, with a post time of 4 p.m.
The field (rail out): Shea Brennan (Armando Ayuso, 3-1); Clovisconnection (Juan Hernandez, 7-2); R. Heisman (Antonio Fresu, 12-1); Drop Um (Kyle Frey, 12-1); Man O Rose (Edwin Maldonado, 8/5); Stamp My Passport (Diego Herrera, 10-1); Style Cat (Umberto Rispoli, 6-1).
Standings Take Shape After Breeders’ Cup Week
The Del Mar jockey standings opened with international flair as Umberto Rispoli led the first week with five wins, followed by a cluster including Juan Hernandez, Flavien Prat, and Irad Ortiz Jr.
Trainer John Sadler heads the leaderboard with four victories, his momentum lifted by Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Super Corredora. Meanwhile, connections of Forever Young, Splendora, and Nysos lead the early earnings race thanks to their Breeders’ Cup heroics.
Fans Return for Handicapping Seminars
For fans eager to sharpen their form skills, Del Mar hosts free handicapping seminars this Saturday and Sunday at the Plaza de Mexico from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Saturday’s session will feature horseplayer John Murphy, while Sunday brings Matt Dinerman, the Oaklawn and Monmouth Park caller, to the mic.
Cooling Out
Trainer Richard Mandella reports that Tamara, scratched from the Filly & Mare Sprint, is undergoing precautionary scans at Santa Anita. Meanwhile, 2024 Del Mar Horse of the Meet Iscreamuscream is back in light training and may target Santa Anita later this winter.
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