Rafael Bejarano to Ride Hymn in Breeders' Cup Sprint
Trainer Ron Moquett selected Rafael Bejarano to pilot the 4-year-old gelding in Saturday's $2 million race.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Equestrian
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Trainer Ron Moquett has tapped jockey Rafael Bejarano to ride Hymn in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland Race Course on Saturday, October 31, 2026. Bejarano replaces Ricardo Santana Jr. as the jockey for the 4-year-old gelding.
Why it matters
The change in jockey comes as Hymn enters the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint seeking to continue a performance streak that has seen the gelding secure three victories since leaving Hot Springs.
The Breeders' Cup Sprint carries a total purse of $2 million. The horse Hymn is a 4-year-old gelding that has recorded three wins since departing Hot Springs.
The players
Ron Moquett
He is the trainer who manages the racing career of the gelding Hymn.
Rafael Bejarano
He is a professional jockey who has been named to ride Hymn in the upcoming race.
Ricardo Santana Jr.
He is a jockey who is no longer scheduled to ride Hymn in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.
Hymn
He is a 4-year-old gelding sired by the horse McKinzie.
Bob Baffert
He is a prominent horse trainer who previously trained McKinzie.
The details
Hymn, sired by the former Bob Baffert trainee McKinzie, earned a victory at Oaklawn on April 10, 2026. The gelding now heads to Lexington to compete in the high-stakes sprint.
Timeline
April 10, 2026: Hymn won a race at Oaklawn.
October 31, 2026: Hymn competes in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.
Season Trajectory
Jockey changes immediately preceding the Breeders' Cup Sprint are part of the high-stakes roster adjustments common in professional horse racing. These moves reflect the strategic efforts by trainers to optimize their chances at the sport's most prestigious annual event.
For bettors and fans, this late-stage jockey substitution shifts the tactical profile of Hymn in the Breeders' Cup Sprint fields. The change creates uncertainty regarding the gelding's performance metrics relative to his previous three wins.
The takeaway
Trainer decisions like jockey swaps often aim to capitalize on specific rider proficiencies at major tracks like Keeneland. Owners and trainers must balance long-term horse development with the immediate tactical requirements of high-stakes racing.
Further reading
For more on local racing, visit Lexington Equestrian.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hotsr.
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