Assael Espinoza loses bug, starts life as journeyman jock
ARCADIA, Calif. – Assael Espinoza begins life as a journeyman rider on Sunday, and he hopes his term as an apprentice since early 2018 can provide the groundwork to remain a top-10 rider in Southern California.
Through Thursday, Espinoza was tied for 10th in the jockey standings at the meet with 14 wins. Heriberto Figueroa is the leading apprentice at this meeting with 23 wins, good for seventh place in the standings.
Espinoza rode with a five-pound apprentice claim through Saturday.
“We’re ready for the next step,” he said on Friday morning between workouts. “I have learned a lot, and I think I can ride against strong riders. I’m a strong rider right now, too.”
Jerry Hollendorfer has been among the trainers to support Espinoza. On March 29, Espinoza rode the promising Oggonis to a win in a maiden special weight for Hollendorfer. On Sunday, Espinoza rides Magic Musketier for Hollendorfer in the seventh race, an optional claimer at 1 1/8 miles on turf. Earlier on the program, Espinoza is booked to ride Rinse and Repeat in an allowance race for California-breds at a mile on turf if the horse draws into the field from the also-eligible list.
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Espinoza, 19, is the nephew of Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza and has frequently sought riding advice from him. Through Thursday, Espinoza had won 104 races in his career. He recorded his first win at Santa Anita in February 2018.
Improbable works for Ark. Derby
Improbable, one of the leading contenders for the Kentucky Derby, worked six furlongs in 1:14 at Santa Anita on Friday for the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on April 13.
Working in company with a stablemate, Improbable delivered a dominant performance and galloped out seven furlongs, trainer Bob Baffert said. The workout was the fastest of eight works at the distance.
“I was happy with the way he went,” Baffert said. “The track was really deep. It’s really slow, and he handled it and didn’t get tired. He looked happy.”
Owned by WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, and Starlight Racing, Improbable has started once this year, finishing second in a division of the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 16. Improbable has won 3 of 4 starts, including the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity in December.
