Jockey Hernandez Returns to Action in Florida
Image:
Description:
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Rafael Hernandez wins 2015 American Turf with Divisidero
Jockey Rafael Hernandez, who was injured in a racing accident at Gulfstream Park Feb. 20, returned to action at the Florida track June 12.
Hernandez, 31, finished seventh in the sixth race with trainer Mike Maker's Ozymandias but said he was just happy to be race-riding again.
"I'm feeling great," Hernandez said. "I thank Mike Maker for giving me the opportunity to ride my first one back. Every year, Mike Maker has helped me a lot. I appreciate everything he has done for me.
"I'm here now. I'm back. Hopefully, we'll be getting more action in the next few days."
Hernandez broke his collarbone, fractured ribs, and had a kidney removed after his mount, Brandy's Girl, fell in a race at Gulfstream.
"I've been thinking a lot about everything," he said. "For the last 10 or 11 years I've been riding, riding, just working. This is the first time I was hurt bad. I was out four months, but I got to spend time with my family—that's the one good thing."
Hernandez underwent therapy in South Florida and then galloped horses for two weeks at Fairmount Park, the southern Illinois track at which he was leading rider for several years. He was encouraged by trainer Wesley Ward and agent Cliff Collier to move to bigger tracks.
Hernandez told Gulfstream media officials he plans to ride in South Florida through the summer.