Kentucky Derby Winning Trainer Makes Bold Stance For Breeder’s Cup After Jockey Injury

It’s been almost a week since jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. suffered a serious injury during a race at Churchill Downs when his colt, Sgt. Garcia stumbled and threw him off. After spending four days in the hospital, he’s now back on his farm in Simpsonville, recovering. But this isn’t just any jockey, he’s the ninth in history, and the first since Calvin Borel in 2009, to win both the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby in the same year. With the Breeders’ Cup coming up at the end of October, it’s unclear if he’ll be ready in time. While he might miss the start, it could take six to eight weeks for him to ride again, but it seems not everyone’s ambition has left the stables.

In fact, it seems Hernandez’s injury hasn’t slowed his horse trainer’s ambitions. Kenneth G. McPeek, who last year became the first to win the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby in the same year since 1952, is still chasing the same goals, and all eyes are on Thorpedo Anna, the 4-year-old filly he trains. Recently, @Zipseatthetrack shared a post on X about Thorpedo Anna: Hernandez usually rides her, but for her upcoming race, Flavien Prat will take the reins. Just recently, she breezed five furlongs at Churchill Downs in 1:00.60, signaling she’s in top form.

As the 2024 Horse of the Year, Thorpedo Anna is scheduled to run next Sunday, Oct. 5, in the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes at Keeneland, a 1⅛ mile race for fillies and mares. This event is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, meaning a victory secures her automatic entry into the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar from October 31 to November 1. Her involvement showcases the Fall Stars Weekend at Keeneland, featuring 11 stakes races that have a total of $6.3 million, among which a few are connected to the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series.

Thorpedo Anna breezed 5 furlongs this morning at Churchill Downs in 1.00:60. The 2024 Horse of the Year will run next Sunday 10/5 in the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes at Keeneland with Flavien Prat riding. @KennyMcPeek @Thorpedo_Anna

— Brian Zipse (@Zipseatthetrack) September 27, 2025

She will have a tough competition, which includes the Alabama Stakes (G1) winner Nitrogen and other high-caliber fillies.  Thorpedo Anna is owned by a partnership that consists of Hill ‘n Dale, Magdalena Racing, Mark Edwards, and Judy Hicks, but is not only a competitor; she is the marquee horse of the weekend. Her stats are impressive! In 2025 alone, she has 4 wins in 5 starts, earning $1,564,750. Over her career, she boasts 12 wins in 15 starts with total earnings of $5,408,413.

Even with Hernandez potentially sidelined, Thorpedo Anna is ready to prove herself on the track. The big question remains: Can she continue her dominance and secure another victory? And while she looks set, the real suspense is whether Hernandez will be healthy enough to ride her in the Breeders’ Cup. Well, let’s hear what Hernandez has to say on it!

Brian Hernandez Jr. reveals his recovery plan to Breeders’ Cup

Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. suffered a serious injury on Sunday, September 21, 2025. Well, it happened during the third race at Churchill Downs while riding the two-year-old colt Sgt. Garcia. The horse injured a front leg near the 5/16th pole, throwing Hernandez from the saddle. He sustained multiple severe injuries, including seven broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and a lacerated liver with internal bleeding.

Doctors rushed Hernandez to the University of Louisville Hospital and performed two surgeries. One to repair his liver and another to stabilize his ribs with plates and screws. After several days in intensive care, he’s now recovering at home. Doctors estimate six to eight weeks before he can ride again. But Hernandez, 39, hopes to return in just over five weeks for the Breeders’ Cup.

“I really want to get back for Breeders’ Cup, which is 5.5 weeks,” Hernandez said. “That’s my game plan right now to work as hard as I can and be back for Breeders’ Cup week.” He further added that the plated ribs are not the greatest cause of concern, and he may be able to ride in two weeks, but the liver injury is the most important.

Any re-damage must be acoided, hence he is keen on rehabilitation. “It’s a hefty goal, but if I can do it, I’m going to work as hard as I can,” Hernandez said.  Optimism is the main factor: Hernandez may be in action with the Breeders’ Cup on October 31 and November 1 at Del Mar, but he must be cautious of his recovery.

The post Kentucky Derby Winning Trainer Makes Bold Stance For Breeder’s Cup After Jockey Injury appeared first on EssentiallySports.