Jockey Juan Hernandez competed in a few races at Keeneland during the 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, but he had not ridden into the Winner’s Circle here until Wednesday when he scored aboard Paradise Farms Corp. and Case Chambers’ Summer in Adriane in the finale. Hernandez picked up another victory in the final race the following day aboard Exline-Border Racing, Scott Mawaka, Estate of Brereton Jones and Aaron Kennedy’s Forty Love.

Hernandez is on something of a working vacation after finishing the Santa Anita winter meet on April 6 as leading rider for the eighth consecutive time. He has several Keeneland mounts through Sunday, then returns to his Southern California base for Santa Anita’s reopening on April 18 with plans to be back in the Bluegrass State for the Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve and the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs. 

“We have a week off between race meets at Santa Anita, so my agent and I decided to come here to keep the good momentum,” he said.

Thus far Hernandez primarily has ridden for Summer in Adriane’s trainer, Mike Maker. The combination has a history of stakes success together.

“My agent, Craig O’Bryan, called Mike Maker to see if he had some horses for me,” Hernandez said. “I have ridden for him (mostly in stakes) all over the country.”

While the jockey is quick to credit the agent, the reverse also is true. After representing a stream of Racing Hall of Fame jockeys in Southern California, O’Bryan retired several years ago. But when the opportunity to book mounts for Hernandez, then based in Northern California, arose, O’Bryan unretired in 2020. Together they have consistently collected the leading jockey trophy at both Santa Anita and Del Mar.

“My agent is a big part of my success because he picks the good horses for me to ride,” Hernandez said.

The son of a Quarter Horse jockey, Hernandez grew up in Mexico and gained experience with horses and cattle on a ranch.

“I watched my dad ride, and I wanted to be like him,” he said. “I always wanted to be a jockey.”

Hernandez, 33, rode in his first race in 2009 and has since won 2,809 times from 12,853 mounts that have earned $96 million.

“Keeneland is amazing,” Hernandez said. “I am just happy to be here. My agent asked me if I am having fun and I said, ‘How can I not have fun when I am winning races at Keeneland?’ Hopefully, I will be back soon.”