Del Mar’s leading jockey, Juan Hernandez, has given his tick of approval for Laurel River as a genuine Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile contender after the two combined for a comfortable Pat O’Brien Stakes win.
The rider — with an impressive 39 victories to his name so far this summer meet — was aboard the brilliant four-year-old colt who won by 3.75 lengths in the Group 2 sprint over seven furlongs on Saturday (US time).
In doing so, Laurel River earned a fees-paid birth over a mile on dirt as part of the world championship of racing on November 5.
And Hernandez believes Bob Baffert’s runner will be hard to beat.
“I think so. After last race over a mile he ran really good (winning by 4.75 lengths at Del Mar on July 31),” he told HorseBetting.com.au.
“He ran fast fractions. He kept going and never stopped.
“And he relaxed pretty well, and then he finished with a big kick and I felt it on the stretch.
“I feel really good to win, especially after these Stakes races.”
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Hernandez is now a comfortable leader in the Del Mar jockey standings, where he has 16 more victories than the second-placed Umberto Rispoli.
“As a rider you always want to do good. You always want to win races,” he said.
“I didn’t put much attention on that (winning the Del Mar jockey title). I just focus on winning races and I’m really happy.”
Hernandez sat a perfect trip into the far turn behind the three leaders, and when a lane developed between Principe Carlo and the favourite, Speaker’s Corner, Laurel River took advantage of it.
The star 30-year-old hoop credited Baffert’s calm manner as a trainer for helping him record such a convincing win in the Pat O’Brien Stakes.
“He’s a really classy guy and he’s a very good trainer,” Hernandez said.
“I like him because he lets you ride his horses. He lets you feel comfortable.
“He told me ‘ride this horse to win’.”
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