Jockey Hernandez Tests Positive for COVID-19

Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. reported Sept. 1 that he had tested positive for COVID-19, but that he is no longer contagious since he is also positive for the virus antibodies.

Hernandez was taken off the four mounts on which he was named for the Tuesday card at Churchill Downs that kicks off the week leading up to the rescheduled Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), and it was unclear when he would be able to resume riding. He had 25 mounts lined up for Sept. 1-4.

"We got the antibody results back," Hernandez wrote in a text message. "I am positive for the virus but positive for the antibodies as well, which means I am no longer contagious. Now we are waiting for Churchill and the health department to tell us when we can go back to riding."

Hernandez is the regular rider on top 3-year-old Art Collector, winning the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) and Runhappy Ellis Park Derby aboard the Bernardini  colt. Earlier Tuesday, Art Collector was withdrawn from consideration for Saturday's rescheduled Derby after a minor foot injury was detected.

Hernandez is named on Crazy Beautiful in the Sept. 3 Pocahontas Stakes (G3), Purrfectly Claire in the Eight Belles Stakes Presented by Twinspires.com (G2), and Tell Your Daddy in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes Presented by Sysco (G2T), along with various lower-level mounts.

Hernandez currently is 22nd on the 2020 jockey's standings, with 71 winners and earnings of nearly $3.7 million.