In May, a life-altering event took place for the 39-year-old Lafayette native, Brian Hernandez Jr. He became the eighth jockey in history to achieve the remarkable feat of winning the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks in the same year. His victories on Thorpedo Anna in the Oaks and Mystik Dan in the Derby were made possible through his longstanding partnership with trainer Kenny McPeek. This success catapulted his earnings to a career-high of over $19 million, changing every aspect of his life.

Impact on Careers and Partnership

Hernandez expressed, "It's changed just about every aspect of my life. It's elevated our careers and shows that with the right opportunity and horses, we can get it done." This achievement not only brought them recognition but also solidified their bond.The 2024-2025 race meet at the Fair Grounds Race Course will be a significant event. It opens its 153rd racing season on Friday at the Gentilly oval. Hernandez will be competing in his fourth consecutive Fair Grounds meet, and McPeek has made New Orleans the homebase for his talented stable for the second consecutive season. McPeek, who previously had Gulfstream Park as his winter base, will have an increased number of stalls this year.For Hernandez, the Fair Grounds meet is a family affair. His father, Brian, gallops horses in the mornings for trainer Sam David and works as a valet for him and his younger brother Colby in the afternoons.

Competitive Nature of the Meet

The 76-day meet will feature $8.875 million in combined stakes purses and will be highlighted by the $1 million Grade II Louisiana Derby on March 22. It is the crown jewel of the Fair Grounds' successful Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks programs for 3-year-old colts and fillies.As usual, a deep and talented field of trainers will be present, including Brad Cox, Steve Asmussen, Tom Amoss, Al Stall Jr., Joe Sharp, Dallas Stewart, and Bret Calhoun. Last year's leading conditioner, Shane Wilson, will also be part of the mix.Trainers like Brendan Walsh and Cherie DeVaux, who had strong 2024 seasons on the Kentucky circuit, will have an increased number of stalls on the backside. Phil Bauer, Whit Beckman, Lindsay Schultz, Rob Atras, Chris Block, and Tanner Tracy will also bring their stables to the Fair Grounds.Brittany Russell, Will Walden, Ignacio Correas, Linda Rice, and Michael Tomlinson will bring smaller strings after training elsewhere last winter.The jockey colony will have some new faces. Jose Ortiz, who has competed in New York for most of his career, will bring his tack to New Orleans for the first time. He won the Preakness Stakes aboard Seize the Grey this year and won the 2017 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey. Axel Concepcion and Jeiron Barbosa are other new riders at the meet. Concepcion arrives from the Maryland circuit after winning the 2023 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey, and Barbosa was a finalist for the apprentice Eclipse Award in 2022.

Stakes Program and Preparations

The Fair Grounds' 63-race stakes program will see a $325,000 increase in purse amounts. There will be boosts to the $250,000 Grade III Lecomte on January 18 and the $500,000 Grade II Risen Star on February 15.The 2024 Kentucky Derby was once again dominated by the talent that passed through the Fair Grounds' "Road to the Derby" prep races. All of the top six finishers, except the two who shipped in from Japan, either raced or trained at the Fair Grounds before their May excellence.Hernandez emphasized, "Ever since (racing secretary) Scott Jones increased the distance in the Louisiana Derby from 1 1/8 mile to 1 3/16ths in 2020, we've been getting some really good horses. It's one of the toughest meets in the country for winter racing."