Espinoza accepts New York mounts ahead of Belmont Stakes

Jockey Victor Espinoza, who did a superlative job guiding California Chrome to victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, will remain in New York and accept mounts throughout the week, according to his agent, Bryan Beach. Espinoza flew Friday to New York and was scheduled to breeze California Chrome four furlongs Saturday morning.

He is named to ride Miz Owell for trainer Mike Maker later that afternoon in the Kingston Stakes, two horses on Sunday’s card, and has taken calls later in the week, including Ever Rider in Friday’s Brooklyn.

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“Victor wanted to come back to California to ride on Sunday and then return to New York, but that just didn’t make sense,” Beach said. “He’s got a busy schedule during the week, including a taping of the Letterman show on Wednesday, and if he’s going to be there the whole time, he wants to ride and not sit around doing nothing until the Belmont.”