Wednesday, September 05,
2007
Make it seven straight for Downs mainstay
PRESCOTT
VALLEY - Raul Hernandez fits the role perfectly.
With a
horseshoe-shaped buckle hanging off his western-style belt and
a well-shaped white hat sitting atop his head, Hernandez is
undoubtedly an Arizona cowboy. Throw in Yavapai
Downs outside Prescott Valley as the backdrop and he
appears to be right at home.
For seven years running
now, Hernandez has finished atop the season's final trainer
standings at the Downs. The 49-year-old Chihuahua, Mexico,
native, who owns a home in Skull Valley and a farm near
Coolidge, currently trains about 30 horses.
"It's
been a pretty good season. This is the best season so far at
Yavapai ... everybody did well this year and the track was
excellent," Hernandez said in his heavy Mexican accent.
"Within the last 30 days, everything went very
well."
Hernandez finished with 30 victories - twice as
many as runners-up Sam Aiton and Troy Smith. But he also had
over 100 starts more than those two individuals and most
others. On a percentage-basis, Ralph Fales did well with 13
victories in just 32 starts (40.6 percent).
Hernandez
started out as an assistant with some of the top trainers in
the region. He's been on his own for the past 15 years. Also a
past top trainer at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Hernandez said
the secret to his success is working with quality people and
horses.
"The horses can make the trainers look good ...
the jockeys, too," he said. "So it's kind of a combination of
everyone who helps you."
Upon their arrival for the
summer meet, trainers found a dirt track with more of a sandy
characteristic - something Hernandez brought up as a positive
factor.
"We've had less injuries to horses this year
than in the past at this race track," Hernandez
said.
Hernandez has now been coming to Yavapai Downs
for a quarter-century. Vince Guerra, this year's top jockey,
is a longtime friend and they teamed up this meet on a few
winners.
As for the top victory of the summer,
Hernandez points to the Laddie Lassie Futurity in June when
Ebony Eyes took the win. Just this past Sunday, Ebony Eyes
took second in the Yavapai Downs Futurity. In fact, Hernandez
trained the second-, third- and fourth-place quarter horses in
that 400-yard sprint.
Hernandez is quick to point out
the efforts of the owners, who place their trust in him to
effectively train a loved animal as well as an investment.
Among his top partners are Las Vegas Ranch with Steve Pierce
and Larry Stark, H&E Ranch with Elena and Holis Crim and
the Double JK Ranch with Marilou, Stacey and Jim Kelly -
owners of Ebony Eyes.
Hernandez also trained winners
this summer for Jim Mitchum of Skull Valley and Gary Wright
out of California.
Up next for Hernandez will be the
meet at Turf Paradise in Phoenix. The season there is
scheduled to begin Oct. 5.