Arlington International Racecourse Barn Notes: Sunday, May 20, 2018

By Bailey Gallison —-

HARRY HERNANDEZ ON THE RISE AT ARLINGTON

It’s been a competitive jockey colony at Arlington International Racecourse so far this meet due to the addition of a few new faces in the jocks room. One of those is Harry Hernandez, who has enjoyed a solid beginning of the 2018 meet with six victories in 29 mounts.

Hernandez, 21, is currently tied for fourth in the standings with Sophie Doyle, who also is riding her first full season at the Chicagoland oval. He has finished in the money at a rate of 48%.

“I’m really excited and I’m really focused on my job,” Hernandez said. “Just trying to stay focused on winning races. I thank God and thank my agent [Ben Allen] and the owners for the opportunities that they have been giving me. I’m just trying to show off my experience.

Hernandez began his riding career in his native Puerto Rico and attended the Escuela Vocacional Hipica, graduating in the same class as leading riders Jose Ortiz, Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Eric Cancel.

“That school is such a nice school,” Hernandez said. “Before you graduate they make sure that you’re a hard worker and that you’re professional and respectful. Most importantly, they make sure you’re watching your weight because that’s the most important. They teach you how to gallop, teach you how to position. It’s awesome.”

Upon moving to the United States, Hernandez began riding at Finger Lakes in New York where he was consistently finishing in the top of the jockey standings.

“When I graduated I wanted to start riding in Puerto Rico since that’s where I’m from and that’s where my family is from,” Hernandez said. “But I always have wanted to come to the United States. This is where the good money is, it’s where the good owners and trainers are and you’ll learn more riding with good jockeys. This is where you learn more. I always wanted to ride in the United States and make a name for myself here.”

It was good friend and accomplished rider Jose Ortiz, however, that gave him some encouragement to give Arlington a try this summer.

“I want to thank God for giving me these opportunities with the trainers and the owners,” Hernandez said. “My family always have supported me. I want to thank my really good friends, especially Jose Ortiz. He was the one who called me up and said ‘Hey, [Ben Allen] is a good agent’. He told me to go try it out.”

ANOTHER RICHIE WINS TWICE AT ARLINGTON MEET

Another Richie became the first two-time winner of the 2018 meet at Arlington International Racecourse on Friday afternoon when the 4-year-old son of Successful Appeal found the winner’s circle for the fourth time in his career after a hard-fought duel to the wire.

Trained by Joe Kirby and owned by his father Frank in partnership with Richard Zirngibl III, Richard Zirngibl IV and Timothy Callaghan, Another Richie took the first race on Opening Day by 5¼ lengths then stepped up to allowance company this past Friday. The win was Another Richie’s third victory in a row.

“He evidently likes this track,” Kirby said. “He won here last year and now he’s won two here this year. He’s got a little future. Hopefully he wins his next condition allowance and then you never know. You just keep moving them up until they find their limit.”

Another Richie is three for four over the Arlington synthetic surface. In addition to his pair of wins this meet, he broke his maiden for a $7,500 claiming tag last August.

Princess La Quinta became the second horse with two victories this meet when she won the Grade III Arlington Matron on Saturday afternoon. Like another Richie, she also found the winner’s circle on Opening Day.