Hernandez back to Winning with Keystoneforvictory in Forty Niner

Jockey Rafael Hernandez, who broke his collarbone, fractured ribs and had his kidney removed after a spill Feb. 20, won his first race since returning from those injuries Saturday when he guided Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Keystoneforvictory to a wire-to-wire victory in Gulfstream's $75,000 Forty Niner Stakes.

Hernandez, riding in his fourth race since returning June 12, drove Keystoneforvictory away down the stretch to win by 3 1/4 lengths over John Oxley's Tizzarunner. A 3-year-old son of Shakespeare trained by Mike Maker, Keystoneforvictory covered a firm 1 1/16-mile turf course in 1:40.15. Keystoneforvictory came into the Forty Niner off an allowance victoryMay 15 across the turf at Churchill Downs.

"I want to say thank you to the trainer for giving me a chance for my first win and for the first horse I rode Sunday," Hernandez, 31, said. "He's supported me everywhere I've gone.

"Mr. Ramsey told me when I got hurt, 'As soon as you get back to the racetrack give me a holler and I'm going to put you on your first winner,' and that's what he did. That's the truth."

Hernandez said his trip was smooth. Breaking on top, Hernandez cruised on the lead past fractions of :23.47, :46.91 and 1:10.40 before Keystoneforvictory accelerated away from his rivals down the stretch.

"I watched a couple replays before I rode him," Hernandez said. "I knew he'd be close to the lead, but he broke so good I just sat there and waited for the time to push the button."

When asked if he had any doubt about returning to riding, Hernandez said, "No, no. The doctor told me it would be five or six months, but I did it in four months with the support of my family."

Sunday's 10-race program, with a first race post of 1:15 p.m., will have a Rainbow 6 carryover of $41,747.23.

Source: Gulfstream Park