Trainer Kenny McPeek is without his go-to rider, Brian Hernandez Jr., after he suffered multiple injuries in a spill at Churchill Downs on Sept. 21. Hernandez was supposed to ride Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan in Saturday’s Grade 2 Lukas Classic Stakes at Churchill Downs.
In an interview on FanDuel TV Wednesday morning, McPeek told Andie Biancone that Flavien Prat will ride Thorpedo Anna in the G1 Spinster at Keeneland on Oct. 5 and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar on Nov. 1.
“He’s gonna ride her Spinster, Distaff if everything goes right,” McPeek said to Biancone, adding that the reigning Horse of the Year is no longer under serious consideration for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
“Mystik Dan, the decision is going to be the morning of [the Lukas Classic],” McPeek told Biacone. “I’m going to see if anybody scratches out of the Lukas and see if there’s any options there. More likely, Francisco Arrieta would ride him if they don’t scratch out. There’s some riders that I’m interested in a two-race commitment to come back in the Breeders’ Cup [Dirt] Mile.
“So Mystik Dan will be a call at the line of scrimmage at scratch time.”
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Hernandez underwent surgery at the University of Louisville Hospital on Sept. 23 to stabilize seven broken ribs, and additionally suffered a punctured lung and lacerated liver when thrown from McPeek trainee Sgt. Garcia in a $30,000 maiden claiming race for 2-year-olds. Sgt. Garcia was humanely euthanized due to a compound fracture in his left foreleg.
Hernandez’s doctors estimated that he will be out six to eight weeks.
This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Sep 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Paulick Report as a Preferred Source by clicking here.