HERNANDEZ WINS FIVE RACES ON SUNDAY CARD
Jockey Juan Hernandez scored a five-bagger on Sunday afternoon, winning with five of his seven mounts on the card. The Mexico native scored victories aboard Raiderette (Race 2), Arch Kisser (Race 3), On the Key (Race 4), He’saruler (Race 6) and Spot N the Line (Race 7).
“I was really happy to win five races. I’ve never won five races in a day before,” said Hernandez. “I knew my horses had a chance to run well but they were tough races. I feel very lucky and happy.
Hernandez has been a major player in the Golden Gate Gate Fields jockey colony since his arrival to the bayside track in 2009 and has finished atop the jockey standings at four separate meets since 2015. With the five-win Sunday, Hernandez currently holds second place in the Winter/Spring meet jockey standings with 33 victories, just three wins shy of leading rider Abel Cedillo.
On Wednesday, Hernandez celebrated his 26th birthday with his family, including his wife, Melissa, and their two children, Juan-Jose and Emilio. Juan also has a brother in the Bay Area, 24-year-old Jonathan Hernandez, who has ridden in races and currently gallops and works horses for trainer Ed Moger Jr. in the mornings.
FIRST POST TIME MOVED TO 12:15 PM BEGINNING THIS SUNDAY
Beginning this Sunday, March 11, first post time will be moved from 12:45 PM to 12:15 PM.
Golden Gate Fields will continue to card 9-races on weekends and 7 and 8 race programs on Thursday’s and Friday’s, respectively. Keep in mind that first post time on Kentucky Derby Day (May 5), Preakness Day (May 19) and Belmont Stakes Day (June 9) will be at 11:45 AM, which are the only three exceptions.
Race 1 each day begins the popular 50 Cent Early Pick 5 wager, a low 14% player-friendly takeout bet.
FINISH LINES: The race for top trainer at the Winter/Spring meet continues to be competitive. Trainer John Martin won 2 races Sunday, propelling him to first in the standings with 23 victories. Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer sits in second with 22 wins while Jonathan Wong has saddled 21 winners and remains in third place…Berkeley Handicap (G3) participant and local equine Noble Nick drew post 1 of 7 and is 4-1 on the morning line in Santa Anita’s first race on Friday, The Five Finger Starter Handicap. Brice Blanc takes the reins for conditioner Ari Herbertson in the mile and an eighth turf event…Ayacara, runner up to City Plan in The Gold Rush Stakes last fall, and Calexman, who finished off-the-board in The El Camino Real Derby, will both compete in The Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes this Saturday at Santa Anita. The winner of The San Felipe earns 50 points to The Kentucky Derby…The Golden Pick Six jackpot wager was hit on Sunday, so the pool begins anew heading into Thursday’s card…Happy birthday to trainer Natalie Houle, who celebrates her birthday this Sunday.