When it comes to big races, Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Brian Hernandez and his family have a routine.
His grandparents drive their RV from Lafayette to his and his wife Jamie Hernandez's farm in Simpsonville, Kentucky. Once there, the grandparents set up shop with their RV, including a big outdoor television to watch the races. They cook meals for the whole Hernandez clan and take care of the children, Joshlynn, 9, and Benjamin, 7, and youngest daughter, Anabelle, 4.
Saturday's Kentucky Derby was no exception.
His grandparents, Diane and Steve Manual, and Ruby and Carrol Hernandez, were seated in their lawn chairs, along with his brother Colby Hernandez, whose wife, Treva Hernandez, videoed the scene. Brian and Jamie's children, along with Colby and Treva's, all gathered to watch the race.
The video shows that even the children know the horse lingo.
The video shows the race was so close that no one watching is completely certain their beloved Brian — grandson, brother, father, uncle, brother-in-law — won. Watch and see how they figure it out and how they celebrate when they do.
Also, watch the Hernandez's dear friend Brett Gilpin in Indiana wallow around on the floor as he watches his friend win the Derby.
By Monday, it was back to school for the Hernandez kids.
"We talked to our daughter Joshlynn yesterday after she got home from school," Brian Hernandez said. "She said it was really loud when they got there, with everyone cheering for them."
Meanwhile, Jamie Hernandez says that she and Brian have traveled back to their home in New Orleans to try and gather themselves from what she describes as an "out-of-body experience" in Kentucky.
"I was so emotional for the Oaks race. Coming over to the Derby, I was still riding the high," Jamie Hernandez said Tuesday. "I could not believe this was happening. It was like a fairy tale for our family."
Brian Hernandez said he and his wife watched all the videos again Monday night.
"That was really special, especially to see my grandparents. They've come up to Derby every year for the last seven or so years," he said. "To watch my grandparents watch the race, it was very emotional for me."