Espinoza hoping for another star turn

DEL MAR, Calif. – Victor Espinoza has been in a few unexpected places since he rode American Pharoah to a sweep of the Triple Crown in early June.

He has appeared on “Live with Kelly and Michael,” attended the Country Music Awards in Nashville, and was on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in New York last Friday, taking part in a phone-booth trivia sketch.

Actor Kevin Spacey and Fallon each stood in a phone booth. When they missed a trivia question, a celebrity guest joined them in the phone booth. Spacey was off his game, leading actors Keegan-Michael Key and Mae Whitman and basketball player Karl-Anthony Towns to cram into his booth.

Then he missed yet another question.

In came Espinoza, dressed in American Pharoah’s famous colors. Espinoza squeezed in next to the 7-foot Towns, who became worried American Pharoah was next.

“Is the horse getting in, too?” Towns quipped.

Espinoza will find himself in more familiar surroundings if he can guide Hard Aces to the winner’s circle after Saturday’s $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar. In a year that will always be defined by his success on American Pharoah, Espinoza has already had a big summer with Hard Aces, who won the $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on June 27.

The 5-year-old joined trainer John Sadler’s stable after being bought by Pete and Kosta Hronis in the winter. With Espinoza aboard, Hard Aces was fourth in the Santa Anita Handicap in March, sixth in the Oaklawn Handicap in April, and third in the Californian Stakes on May 31 before winning the Gold Cup at Santa Anita by a nose over Hoppertunity.

“He’s improving,” Espinoza said between workouts Sunday. “It took a few races to get where he could compete with these horses. The last couple of races have been very good for him.”

There will never be another year like 2015 for Espinoza. His success surpasses a remarkable 2014 in which he rode Horse of the Year California Chrome to wins in the Santa Anita Derby, Kentucky Derby, and Preakness Stakes.

This year, Espinoza and American Pharoah won the Arkansas Derby, Kentucky Derby, and Preakness Stakes before the historic win in the Belmont Stakes on June 6. In the weeks that followed, Espinoza was busier making promotional appearances than he was riding races. He became something of a public spokesman for racing.

“It’s a good thing,” he said of the attention. “It’s slowed down, but I don’t mind it.”

Espinoza’s day-to-day business in Southern California suffered during the summer. When he rode Seek Safe Harbor to a win in Sunday’s first race, it was his seventh win of the meeting, ranking him outside the top 10 in the jockey standings. Espinoza, 43, is not a jockey who contends for riding titles. He is more interested in winning big races. In that regard, this year has been a spectacular success.

“I’ve had the best year ever,” he said.

Aside from the wins and the publicity, there have been awards off the track. Between races Sunday, Espinoza was honored with the Laffit Pincay Jr. Award for “serving the sport with integrity, dedication, and determination.” Pincay himself was on hand to present the award.

American Pharoah will take Espinoza back on the road, as quickly as Aug. 29 if the colt starts in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga. Espinoza rode American Pharoah to an easy win in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Aug. 2 in the colt’s first start since the Belmont Stakes.

“I’m excited every time I ride him,” Espinoza said. “Winning the Triple Crown was the ultimate. Now, it’s extra. It’s fun.”

An undefeated season for American Pharoah is well within reach.

“Anything can happen, but I don’t think anyone can beat him,” Espinoza said.

American Pharoah is scheduled to be retired to stud at the end of the year. By then, California Chrome could be nearing a comeback. Unraced since finishing second in the $10 million Dubai World Cup on March 28, California Chrome is in the midst of a 90-day break at Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky with the expectation he will race in 2016.

The colt who nearly won the 2014 Triple Crown may replace the 2015 Triple Crown winner as Espinoza’s leading mount.

“I was thinking about that,” he said. “Maybe California Chrome can come back. I think he’ll be better with the time off. If he can come back in 2016, it would be amazing.”