SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Aug. 24, 2019) – Jose “Nino” Hernandez of the Tony Duran Stable was selected for “Groom of the Week” sponsored by Backstretch Supplies. Hernandez received a $100 bill from owner Bruce Murphy, who created the program in 2018 to recognize and honor grooms who go above and beyond to make a good impression with their horses during the racing programs at Indiana Grand.
Hernandez has been a member of the Duran Stable for the past three years. The native of Mexico handles many of the day to day operations for Duran, who has approximately 30 horses stabled on the backstretch at Indiana Grand.
“He (Hernandez) is my right hand man,” noted Duran in the winner’s circle during the presentation. “I don’t know what I would do without him.”
In addition to the horses at the track, Duran and his wife, Katie, who is a lawyer in Indianapolis, also have a breeding farm just north of Shelbyville. They relocate to Florida each fall at the conclusion of the Indiana racing season and Hernandez is a big part of preparing their young horses for the racetrack at their farm in Florida.
“I work with a lot of young horses, but my favorite is an older horse, Bandido de Amores,” said Hernandez. “He always tries really hard and he plays all the time. When I go to put the saddle on him in the stall, he always likes to play. He’s a lot of fun to be around.”
Hernandez has also assisted with special groups that visit Indiana Grand. He has conducted barn tours in Duran’s Stable for the racetrack and has provided guests with information on the care of the racehorses as well as explaining the process of preparing a horse for the races.
Backstretch Supplies, located in the barn area at Indiana Grand, will provide one more “Groom of the Week” Saturday, Aug. 31. The program has extended through the past two months, honoring the men and women who work behind the scenes taking care of the horses.
Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 6. Racing is conducted Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 2:15 p.m. and Saturday at 6:15 p.m.
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