Jockey Juan Hernandez, trainer Phil D'Amato and owner Paul and Zilla Reddam's Reddam Racing emerged victorious in their respective divisions during the 29-day Hollywood Meet at Santa Anita, which closed Sunday, June 16.
Hernandez, a native of Veracruz, Mexico, was celebrating a sixth riding title at Santa Anita, having ridden 36 winners from 176 mounts (20.5%), one clear of Antonio Fresu, who joined the local riding colony just over 14 months ago. The Italian had one last chance to dead-heat with Hernandez, but fell just short in Sunday's 12th and final race aboard Anmer Hall for trainer Steve Knapp.
Hernandez was also leading rider by earnings ($2,008,398) and stakes wins (five).
“When I moved here the plan was to do good and ride hard all the time,” said Hernandez, who rides any number of top horses for trainer Bob Baffert. “It's a lot of fun riding a horse and competing with these guys. We have a really nice colony of jockeys. It is really fun and [Fresu] put me under a lot of pressure this time. My agent, Craig O'Bryan, he put me on good horses. I want to thank the owners, trainers and my family for all the support this meet. Hopefully we can keep rolling.”
D'Amato struck with 22 of his 120 starters (18.3%), finishing five better than trainer Doug O'Neill. His $1,397,432 in earnings and six stakes victories were also tops among all trainers.
“It's a testament to having really good horses, great owners and great help,” said D'Amato, a 48-year-old native of nearby San Pedro, CA. “You put those all together and you'll have success.”
Reddam Racing was the meet's top owner with seven wins, one better than Red Baron's Barn/Rancho Temescal.
Racing returns to Santa Anita for the Autumn Meet on Sept. 27. The track will stage the inaugural running of California Crown Day, highlighted by the $1-million California Crown, a prep for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at nine furlongs on the main track.
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