After career milestone, jockey Hernandez Jr. 'reaching for more'

Fifteen years after Brian Hernandez Jr. earned the Eclipse Award for outstanding apprentice jockey, the rider reached another milestone in Thursday’s fifth race at Fair Grounds when the Lafayette, La., native registered career victory No. 2,000 aboard Afleet Roger.

The 3-year-old gelding, a James Baker trainee, took the lead at the half-mile pole and opened up down the stretch, running away from the field to win the $12,500 maiden claimer by 9 1/4th lengths.

“When I first started, I never really thought I’d get to 2,000,” Hernandez Jr. said after the race. “It just started to get brought up and all of a sudden they were counting it down and I was getting closer and closer.

"To get to 2,000 is a cool milestone to have on a resume. Now I just want to keep working hard and reaching for more.”

Hernandez Jr. rode his first winner in 2003 at Delta Downs in Vinton, La. Three years later, he was aboard Cielo Gold when winning the 2006 edition of the Indiana Derby (G2), giving the young jockey his first of 51 career graded stakes wins -- so far.

The highlight of Hernandez’s career came in 2012 when he guided the Ian Wilkes-trained Fort Larned to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Locally, he is best known for his work with Girvin, winner of both the 2017 Risen Star (G2) and Louisiana Derby (G2) for trainer Joe Sharp.

“As a young rider you are just excited to go out there and win as many races as you can,” Hernandez said. “Even to this day, years later, it’s fun to go out and win. We just try to win as many races as possible and we’re always looking for the next top level horse.”