Hernandez Reaches 1,000th Victory Milestone
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Jockey Colby Hernandez reached his 1,000th career victory March 8 when guiding Stephanies Wildcat to a narrow triumph in the fifth race at Delta Downs Racetrack and Casino.
Riding for trainer Bret Calhoun, Hernandez coaxed a winning effort from Ben Marek III's D'wildcat filly, who dueled three wide with rivals throughout the five-furlong maiden claiming race. With a head advantage in early stretch, she was kept to her task in a half-length triumph.
A native of Lafayette, La., and from a family of jockeys, Hernandez began his professional career in 2006 and was leading rider at Evangeline Downs in 2008. He is a son of veteran Louisiana jockey Brian Hernandez and the younger brother of Brian Hernandez Jr., who won the 2004 Eclipse Award as outstanding apprentice and piloted Fort Larned to victory in the 2012 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I). His sister Courtney began her riding career this season at Delta.
Hernandez's 6,961 mounts have amassed purse earnings of $18,707,575 through March 8. He currently ranks fourth in the Delta Downs jockey standings.
His most lucrative wins have come in Louisiana, where he has captured several $100,000 stakes including the 2012 D. S. "Shine" Young Memorial Stakes with Tujuacagofast at Evangeline Downs Racetrack, Casino & Hotel. Hernandez also won the 2009 Premier Night Prince Stakes with Two Nickel Bud. This year, he enjoyed a win with Sittin At the Bar in the Louisiana Bred Premier Night Matron Stakes Feb. 1 at Delta Downs.