Dan Hendricks has trained many racing stars. Perhaps his best, in my opinion, was Brother Derek. The colt was tearing up the Triple Crown trail around the time I began to gain interest in racing, and was quite a joy to watch. I was fortunate enough to be able to conduct a phone interview with Mr. Hendricks. The main purpose of the interview was to gain some insight on his barn, and his thoughts about racing in general.

Gradedstakes.com: Could you tell me a little bit about yourself?

Dan Hendricks:  I grew up in horse racing, and started coming to the track in the 1960s. The racetrack was a fun place to work at 16. Luckily, I was able to work for Richard Mandella. After learning from a great trainer like him, I went on my own in 1987.

Gradedstakes.com: What are some of your hobbies?

Dan Hendricks: I like to spend time with my three boys, and go cart with them. I’m also an avid Texas Hold ‘Em player.  I’m kind of like an allowance horse when it comes to poker. I do well until I step in to stakes company!

Gradedstakes.com: What first got you interested in horse racing?

Dan Hendricks: My family always had a farm and horses. Most of my family worked at the track and it was just an easy progression when I became old enough to work at the track to go right there. It wasn’t a matter of I just loved the business, it was more that I was just young and needed.

Gradedstakes.com: How long have you been training thoroughbreds?

Dan Hendricks: I started in 1987.

Gradedstakes.com: What is a typical day like for Dan Hendricks?

Dan Hendricks: I get up early in the morning 7 days a week, and head to the track to see what’s going on. It’s like going in to a preschool; you don’t wonder if there is a problem, you wonder who has the problem. Daily routines include finding races, working horses, and dealing with owners.

Gradedstakes.com: Who are your favorite horses that you have trained?

Dan Hendricks: If I had to pick an all time favorite it would probably be Feverish, a moderately bred cal bred. She was a filly that we never had high expectations for. She won a Cal Bred stakes race and progressed from there. In the end, she won a Grade 2 for us, and never missed a check in her career. Feverish was in the barn for three years and became a favorite. Grey Slewpy was also a favorite, he set a track record. Daytona and Brother Derek were also favorites.

Gradedstakes.com: Can you tell us who some of the best horses in your barn are?

Dan Hendricks: Daytona is coming back. He won the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile last year. Indian Sun is tough. Ginger Pop is a really nice filly who is coming into her own. She recently finished second to Indian Blessing, and I think she has a nice future ahead of her.

Gradedstakes.com: What’s the hardest thing about being a horse trainer?

Dan Hendricks: Getting beat is the hardest thing. You train these horses and you get worked up thinking you will win, and they lose. Its frustrating, you never get used to it. I’ve run 8 seconds at Santa Anita out of my first 16 starters and it’s very frustrating. Injuries are also tough, and with any athlete you’re going to have those. Actually, injuries are worse than losing, but I don’t like either.

Gradedstakes.com: Do you have a favorite jockey you like to use?

Dan Hendricks: I’ve always had one jockey I’ve used a lot, and right now that is Alex Solis. I’ve always tried to have one go to rider. I hate switching all the time.

Gradedstakes.com: What races have you won that have been the most important and meaningful?

Dan Hendricks: The Santa Anita Derby definitely stands out. Its one of the most prestigious races in the country, and it was really fun to win. The Hollywood Derby and the Vanity were also great. There have been lots of good wins over the year.

Gradedstakes.com: Any three-year-olds in your barn we might be hearing about?

Dan Hendricks: I thought Mr. Rod would be a good horse, but he had to be turned out due to a small injury.  He will be back.

Gradedstakes.com: Do you get into the pari-mutuel side of racing much?

Dan Hendricks: No, I’m not what you consider a big gambler. I always like putting a little something on my horses when I like them. When you don’t bet and you win your disappointed, but when you do bet and lose, it magnifies the loss.

Gradedstakes.com: Thanks for the interview Mr. Hendricks, and good luck with your barn!

Dan Hendricks: No problem let me know if you have any more question.

It was a great pleasure to be able to speak with Mr. Hendricks and get his thoughts on some racing related issues. Once again, I would like to extend my thanks to him. I hope to be able to interview more trainers in the future, and hopefully I will get better at it as times goes on. If you liked this post, please consider subscribing to my full RSS feed. You can do so by entering your email address in the silver box that says “eNews and Updates”  in the right corner of this page.