Doctors told Brian Hernandez Jr. that it could be six to eight weeks until he’s healthy enough to ride again, but the 39-year-old jockey told WAVE that his goal is to ride in the Breeders’ Cup in just over five weeks.

“I really want to get back for Breeders’ Cup, which is 5.5 weeks,” Hernandez told WAVE. “And that’s my game plan right now, is work as hard as I can and be back for Breeders’ Cup week.”

In the third race at Churchill Downs on Sept. 21, Hernandez was thrown from his mount, Sgt. Garcia, and suffered several serious injuries. Sgt. Garcia was humanely euthanized.

“We were going around the far turn there at Churchill, and the horse took a funny step, and I came off the side of him, and I landed on my back,” Hernandez told WAVE. “We wear safety vests of course, but once I landed on my back, his back leg stomped down on my chest here. And it crushed all the ribs, 7 ribs, cut off the liver, and collapsed the lung partially.”

“I was fortunate enough not to get run over by anyone else,” Hernandez additionally said to WAVE.

Hernandez swept the 2024 Kentucky Derby and Oaks with Mystik Dan and Thorpedo Anna, both trained by Kenny McPeek. Both runners are aiming for races at the Breeders’ Cup, with reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna set to defend her Distaff title. Mystik Dan is targeting the Dirt Mile.

On Wednesday morning, Sept. 24, McPeek told Fanduel TV that Flavien Prat would ride Thorpedo Anna in her final Breeders’ Cup prep, the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland on Oct. 5, and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

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A replacement rider has yet to be named for Mystik Dan, who runs in Saturday’s G2 Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs.

“I’m going to see if anybody scratches out of the Lukas and see if there’s any options there,” McPeek told FanDuel TV. “More likely, Francisco Arrieta would ride him if they don’t scratch out.”

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This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Sep 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Paulick Report as a Preferred Source by clicking here.