REMINGTON PARK JOCKEY HARRY HERNANDEZ HAD AMAZING THANKSGIVING WITH STAKES WIN AND NEW BABY

Remington Park’s No. 2 jockey this meet, Harry Hernandez, had a Thanksgiving weekend like no other rider. He won a stakes race in New Mexico and then became a father for the second time in Arizona.

It was a happy Thanksgiving for Hernandez and his better half, Kayla, as they welcomed Harleigh Janice, a 6 lbs., 3 oz. baby girl, to the family. The daughter arrived only three days after Hernandez won the $125,000 Zia Park Championship aboard Heroic Move in Hobbs, N.M. Harleigh rounds out a family that also includes a 1-year-old son, Hayden.

As he was travelling to return to Remington Park in Oklahoma City for some mounts he was scheduled on for Nov. 29, he received a message from Kayla. She was going into labor.

“She told me around noon (Nov. 29) that her water broke, so I tried getting on a 3:40 p.m. flight that would land by 6 p.m.,” Hernandez said. “That flight was full so I wasn’t able to get a flight out till 6:40p.m. That flight made one stop and then I had to get another flight into Arizona. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it in time, but I got there and that was the most important thing, to get there and support (Kayla) like she has supported me.”

Hernandez said Harleigh was born at 10:51 p.m.

“Kayla named her and I gave her the middle name of Janice after my stepmom, who passed away from cancer two years ago,” he said.

Hernandez sits second in the Remington Park standings with 48 wins this meet, but Floyd Wethey, Jr., is nipping at his heels in third with 47. Not only did Hernandez win the Zia Park Championship on Heroic Move, but he also ran third aboard 30-1 longshot Wood Ceiling in the $100,000 Zia Park Juvenile Stakes.

Heroic Move is a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred colt by Quality Road, out of the Smart Strike mare Family Tree. The dam’s name seemed quite appropriate for Hernandez’s weekend. He won that race for a conglomerate of eight owners and trainer Robertino Diodoro. Heroic Move, bred by Gary and Mary West, hit the wire in the 1-1/16 miles race a total of 2-3/4 lengths in front of the runner-up in a time of 1:42.03. Heroic Move was the 8-5 second wagering favorite. The colt improved his record to 19 starts, five wins, three seconds and three thirds for $675,781 earned.

Heroic Move was seventh in the 2023 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park, won by How Did He Do That. Heroic Move did win his next start after the derby, an allowance race here on Oct. 11, 2023.

Hernandez will enjoy his growing family for a couple of days then make his way to his next stop is Hot Springs, Ark., and Oaklawn Park which opens their season on Friday.

“I love this job,” he said, with a laugh. “I’ll have just enough time to stop in Oklahoma City, pick up my stuff, and head to Arkansas.”

Remington Park Horses Holly Dolly and Jaxon Traveler Also Win Stakes at Zia
Two of Remington Park’s top horses, stakes winners Holly Dolly and Jaxon Traveler, added to their black-type resumes with scores at Zia Park on Nov. 26. Jaxon Traveler passed the $1 million mark in career earnings with his triumph.

Holly Dolly, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred filly and winner of the Flashy Lady Handicap at Remington Park, captured the $100,000 Zia Park Distaff Stakes while Jaxon Traveler, a 6-year-old Maryland-bred horse and winner of the David M. Vance Stakes here, took down the Zia Park Sprint Stakes.

Holly Dolly’s win in the Distaff came at the expense of 2022 Trapeze Stakes winner at Remington Park, Olivia Twist. Holly Dolly, owned by Tom Durant of Texas and trained by Ray Ashford, was ridden to a 1-3/4 lengths victory with jockey Iram Diego up. She was the 2-1 second betting favorite as Olivia Twist was sent off as the 3-5 heavy favorite. Holly Dolly, a winner of her last five starts, including four in a row at Remington Park, was bred by Kellie and Tim Holland and Ramon Rangel. She is by Brody’s Cause, out of the Arch mare Pinch Me.

Holly Dolly improved her career record to 11 starts with six wins and four seconds for $206,034.

Jaxon Traveler, by Munnings, out of the After Market mare Listen Boy, made everyone stand up and look, if not listen to Remington Park announcer Dale Day when he said, “That’s the fastest six furlongs of the meet,” when the horse won the Vance in 1:09.19. If you think the Remington Park track may have been a little fast that night, think again. Jaxon Traveler was a winner at the same distance at Zia under Ortiz in a time of 1:07.79 for owner West Point Thoroughbreds and the game’s all-time winningest trainer Steve Asmussen.

Jaxon Traveler won the Vance here by 3-1/2 lengths. He took the Zia Sprint by 4-3/4 lengths.

Jaxon Traveler pocketed $60,000 for the trip to the Zia Park winner’s circle and improved his record to 34 starts, 12 wins, eight seconds and five thirds for earnings of $1,077,798.

Remington Park racing continues with date No. 61 on Wednesday, Dec. 4. The nine-race card, over a fast track, will begin at 6:30pm-Central.

Remington Park has provided more than $370 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District, Remington Park presents year-round simulcast racing casino gaming. The 2024 Thoroughbred Season continues through Dec. 13 when the $300,000 Springboard Mile tops the final night of the season. The major 2-year-old stakes race of the season, the Springboard awards valuable 2025 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

-30-