After spill, Hernández is cleared to ride Breeders' Cup Friday

Southern California’s leading rider Juan Hernández fell from his mount in the last undercard race Friday before the start of Breeders’ Cup 2025 at Del Mar.

Hernández was aboard Doug O’Neill-trained colt Pavlovian, who went to his knees stumbling out of the gate to start the seven-furlong, $175,000 Golden State Juvenile, a black-type stakes for 2-year-olds. Hernández fell off the right side of the sixth-time starter and rolled onto his back.

According to Todd Schrupp on FanDuel TV, both Hernández and Pavlovian were OK afterward. At Del Mar, Horse Racing Nation’s Mike Brunker reported that the colt was corralled by an outrider near the eighth pole and walked off the track on her own.

Hernández was up and walking right after his fall. After being checked at the track first-aid station, he was cleared to ride in his Breeders’ Cup races Friday, according an announcement in the Del Mar press box.

Hernández is assigned to ride Explora in the Juvenile Fillies and Let’s Be Frank in the Juvenile Turf.