Santa Anita: Dead heat for riding title with 2 days to go

A late surge by Juan Hernandez has left the race for leading jockey all square with just two days remaining in the Santa Anita spring meet.

Hernandez, a five-time leading rider at Santa Anita, scored his second hat trick in as many days Friday to draw on even terms with Antonio Fresu in the standings. Both have 32 wins entering Saturday’s action.

Hernandez started the race-week Thursday three wins behind Fresu. After he bagged three victories Thursday, Hernandez Friday scored with Jackstown ($2.80) in the fifth and Midland Money ($2.40) in the seventh, both for trainer Bob Baffert, and Tribal ($10.40) in the 10th and final for trainer Richard Mandella.

Fresu kept pace by winning Friday’s second race on Desert Rhapsody ($4.40) and the seventh aboard Illhaveanotherkiss ($8), both for trainer Doug O’Neill.

Fresu, a 32-year-old native of Sardinia, Italy, has been riding in the U.S. for about 14 months. He is seeking his first domestic riding title.

At the Santa Anita Classic meet, which ended April 7, Hernandez and Fresu finished one-two in the jockey’s standings. Hernandez rode 53 winners while Fresu finished with 46 victories.

Fresu and Hernandez are also deadlocked with four stakes wins each at the Hollywood Meet, which leads all other jockeys. Hernandez, a 32-year-old native of Veracruz, Mexico, holds the edge in purse earnings. His 160 mounts at the stand entering Saturday have banked $1,805,758, while Fresu’s 164 mounts have earned $1,549,492.

Both jockeys will be busy the next two days. Hernandez rides nine of the 11 races Saturday and eight of 12 races on closing day Sunday. Fresu rides 10 of 11 races Saturday and 10 of 12 on Sunday. Fresu is named on six morning-line favorites over the two days while Hernandez is booked on three program favorites.