Espinoza begins comeback with second-place finish

ARCADIA, Calif. – Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza made his comeback on Monday, finishing second on his first mount since suffering a spinal injury in training accident at Del Mar last July. Espinoza said his goal this weekend is to fully resume normal activity, working horses in the morning and riding races in the afternoon.

Espinoza admits he is starting from scratch after a lengthy absence. With the major races of the spring looming, he is eager to get started. Espinoza does not have any mounts on Friday or Saturday.

“I want to build my business and start all over,” Espinoza said. “I’m here and I can do whatever it takes to get back.”

Monday, Espinoza was second on 4-5 Gallantlystreaming in a maiden claimer on the hillside turf course. Gallantlystreaming was fifth with a quarter-mile remaining and lost to Queen of the Track by 2 3/4 lengths.

“I feel good,” Espinoza said moments after the race. “I am pretty fit and come back 100 percent.”

Espinoza, 46, underwent months of physical therapy after suffering a fracture of the transverse process of his C-3 vertebra. For weeks after the accident, Espinoza wore a rigid brace that prevented him from moving his head from side to side.

“After my accident, there were ups and downs,” he said. “There were days I thought I’d come back and days I didn’t want to have anything to do with racing.”

Espinoza rode Gallantlystreaming for trainer John Sadler. Last year, Espinoza was the regular rider of the Sadler-trained Accelerate from early February to late May. Espinoza rode Accelerate to wins in three graded stakes, including the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap and Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita.

Accelerate, who was retired to stud earlier this year, later won the Breeders’ Cup Classic under jockey Joel Rosario and was named the champion older male of 2018.

“John has always had faith in me, and we’ve had good success,” Espinoza said.