LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky Derby 150 is in the history books and for jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., he still can’t believe what he has achieved.
Hernandez added his name to horse racing history after winning the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby.
He rode Mystik Dan in a thrilling photo finish to capture the first jewel of the Triple Crown. It came a day after he rode filly Thorpedo Anna by 4 ¾ lengths that led to a Kentucky Oaks win.
The 38-year-old became the first jockey since Hall of Famer Calvin Borel completed the Derby/Oaks double in 2009.
Winning the Kentucky Derby has been surreal for Hernandez. He recalled wanting to win the “greatest two minutes in sports” as something he’s yearned for since he was a child.
“I always dreamed of winning the Kentucky Derby when I my my grandparents have a photo of me when I was six years old,” he said. “I used to ride around in my dad's jock pants on my bicycle [and] tell him I was gonna win the Kentucky Derby someday. So to to be able to do this with uh, with Kenny [McPeek] and all our family here it was. It's unbelievable.”
The Kentucky Derby shared the adorable childhood photo of Hernandez on their X profile on Sunday with a caption “dreams do come true.”
"This is the weekend that I don't think a Disney movie can be made of. Its, it's unbelievable.”
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