‘There Are More Opportunities': Hall Of Fame Jockey Victor Espinoza Looking Forward To Saratoga Meet
After what could be called a friendly scolding by trainer Wesley Ward, 53-year-old Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza has moved his tack to Saratoga Racecourse in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., for the summer in an attempt to rejuvenate his career.
Espinoza recounted to the Daily Racing Form that he had called Ward to tell him he'd be vacationing in Saratoga.
'Wesley was like, 'What's wrong with you? You need to go and ride,'' Espinoza said. 'I said 'What do you mean?' He said, 'It's got to be like old times – come back strong and ride. You won everywhere, you won in Ascot for me, you got to come back and ride.' I said, 'You got to put me on good horses,' and he said he would. He was kind to help me out.'
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Best known as the rider of Hall of Fame racehorses American Pharoah and California Chrome, Espinoza's career has stagnated after fracturing a neck vertebra in a fall in 2018. He has ridden in just 26 races this year.
'I feel like there are more opportunities on this circuit because there are many trainers,' Espinoza said. 'I'd never been on the backside in Saratoga and this year I went there and went around the stables and it was amazing. There are many, many trainers here and they have a lot of horses and I was impressed. California, I feel if you don't ride for three or four trainers who dominate everything, there's not much to do.'
Represented by agent Jose Santos Jr., Espinoza is entered in four races on opening day, July 10, and two on the second day of the meet. He rides for trainers Ward, Robert Johnston, Wayne Potts, and Marcelo Aerenas.
Read more at drf.com.
This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
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