Apprentice Asa Espinoza making his own name with help from family

ARCADIA, Calif. – Few apprentice jockeys have the sort of coaching that Asa Espinoza is enjoying this winter at Santa Anita.

Espinoza, 18, is the nephew of jockey Victor Espinoza, the regular rider of such famous runners as American Pharoah and California Chrome in recent years. Asa Espinoza began riding earlier this year and had three wins through Sunday, including the first two-win day of his career last Saturday.

The younger Espinoza is never far from his uncle. Asa is living with Victor, who shares advice on riding techniques and strategies.

“We talk a lot about the mistakes I do and trying to correct me,” Asa Espinoza said. “He’s been teaching me. I’ve learned a lot.”

The son of jockey Leo Espinoza, Asa Espinoza was born in the United States and spent his childhood in Mexico City where he lived until last year when he moved to California to become involved in racing. After working as an exercise rider for Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, Asa Espinoza had his first mount on Feb. 4.

Espinoza rode his first winner on Feb. 23, but did not win again until last Saturday when he won the first and sixth races. The gap between victories was a concern.

“I was a little worried about that,” he said. “That’s how the business is.”

Espinoza has a 10-pound allowance, which will be reduced to seven pounds after his fifth career win. At that point, he will be eligible to ride first-time starters and races on the hillside turf course. Apprentice jockeys at Santa Anita must have five wins to ride in such races as part of a longstanding safety policy enacted by track stewards, steward Kim Sawyer said Sunday.

Espinoza has two mounts on Friday’s nine-race program – Miss Barton in the seventh race for maiden claimers, and Hailey’s Kid Comet in the ninth race for California-bred maidens at a mile on turf. Most mornings he can be found at Santa Anita, and occasionally at Del Mar, working horses for various trainers.

“It’s good to see the work pay off,” he said. “I have to work a lot early.

“I hope to keep winning,” he said with youthful enthusiasm. “Everyone knew me as Victor’s nephew, but I have to start to make my name. I have to keep it up.”