Heredia delivered a commanding front-running performance to secure Day’s sixth victory at Del Mar in the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap on Saturday. The UK-bred six-year-old Dark Angel mare, trained on the East Coast by Graham Motion, powered out of the gate and maintained her lead over the 1 1/16 mile Jimmy Durante Turf course. Ridden by Juan Hernandez, she finished with a time of 1:42.92, winning by 2 1/4 lengths and earning a $120,000 prize from the $201,500 purse. This victory marked her seventh win in 16 starts and pushed her career earnings to $429,285.
Heredia went off as the favorite at odds of $5.40 for a $2 bet, setting moderate fractions throughout the race: 24.93 seconds for the first quarter mile, 49.73 at the half, 1:14.25 at six furlongs, and 1:37.19 at one mile. Hernandez remarked on how fresh and eager the mare was at the start, noting that she quickly took the lead and thrived in front.
The runner-up finish was a tight contest with Abon Danza Racing, Medallion Racing, and McNulty’s public assemblies all closely challenging. Hernandez’s six wins on the day helped him solidify his position as the leading rider at Del Mar, pushing his total wins to 22 for the meet and outperforming runner-up Antonio Frez by eight victories. His previous wins this season included a top-level stakes victory aboard a favored two-year-old.
Hernandez’s six-win day ties him with four other riders who have achieved six wins in a single day at Del Mar, though the record remains at seven wins in one day, set by Victor Espinoza in 2006 and Drayden Van Dyke in 2018.
This report originally appeared on the Paulick Report on August 10, 2025.
Fan Take: Juan Hernandez’s dominant day at Del Mar not only showcases his skill and consistency as a top jockey but also highlights the exciting level of competition in modern horse racing. Performances like these keep fans engaged and underscore the sport’s dynamic, thrilling nature, promising a bright future for horse racing enthusiasts.
