Espinoza accepts mount on Arabian star Paddys Day

ARCADIA, Calif. – Victor Espinoza, the jockey for Horses of the Year American Pharoah and California Chrome in the last three years, will ride Paddys Day, the 2015 Arabian Horse of the Year, in the $100,000 Sheikha Fatima Darley Awards Stakes at Santa Anita on April 1.

Scott Powell, who trains and co-owns Paddys Day, and Brian Beach, Espinoza’s agent, confirmed the assignment. This will be the first time Espinoza has ridden an Arabian racehorse in his career, which began in 1992.

Paddys Day is the leading contender for the award as 2016 Arabian Horse of the Year, which will be presented at a ceremony in Hollywood on March 31.

The Sheikha Fatima Stakes, expected to draw a field from throughout the United States, was first run at Santa Anita last year. Paddys Day was second to upset winner Thess is Awesome ($94.20).

Powell said from his ranch in New Mexico on Wednesday that he plans to ship Paddys Day to Santa Anita this weekend.

The 6-year-old Paddys Day won the Sheikh Zayed Cup at Sam Houston Race Park on March 4 in his first start of 2017 under Deshawn Parker. Last September, Paddys Day won the President of the United Arab Emirates Cup at Churchill Downs when ridden by Calvin Borel.