López, Hernandez have not been replaced yet for big rides
Louisville, Ky.
Trainers Brad Cox and Kenny McPeek said Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs they still have not decided who may replace Paco López and Brian Hernandez Jr. on their high-profile stakes starters Saturday.
Cox said he was “not sure” who will ride First Mission in the Grade 1, $300,000 Goodwood Stakes, a win-and-you’re-in qualifier at Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
DeRosa’s fair odds for Goodwood at Santa Anita.
The 8-5 morning-line favorite, First Mission could need a rider after López was given a six-month suspension this week by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. The regulator said López violated the terms of his reinstatement after he had been suspended for smacking National Law in the neck with his crop during the gallop-out of a Dec. 2 race at Parx.
Attorney Drew Mollica told Thoroughbred Daily News that he would ask HISA to put off the suspension until an appeal is heard. Mollica said López denies violating the terms of his deal with HISA.
McPeek said he would wait until morning scratches Saturday to choose a replacement to ride Mystik Dan in the $500,000 Lukas Classic (G2) at Churchill Downs. He named Hernandez to ride the 2024 Kentucky Derby winner and 14 other starters at Churchill between Wednesday and Sunday.
“We can wait until scratch time Saturday to see who’s available,” McPeek said. Daily Racing Form reported that McPeek told FanDuel that Francisco Arrieta would ride Mystik Dan if no one scratches out of the race. He said he'd like to have a two-race commitment that includes the Breeders' Cup, but he'll make that call at scratch time.
Hernandez had surgery to repair seven broken ribs Tuesday, two days after he fell during a race at Churchill Downs. He is expected to miss 6-8 weeks while recovers from his injured ribs, a punctured lung and cuts to his liver.
Daily Racing Form also reported that McPeek said Flavien Prat will replace Hernandez aboard Thorpedo Anna in the Spinster (G1) and Breeder's Cup Distaff "if everything goes right." He said there was an outside chance she would go to the Classic.