Espinoza recharges before Kentucky Derby push

Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza has had a quiet start to 2021. Through Sunday, Espinoza had won with 2 of 16 mounts, and took an opportunity earlier this month for a vacation to Del Mar.

“I was just resting, hanging on the beach at Del Mar,” Espinoza said. “I needed a little break.

“I was recharging my energy. Sometimes we need that.”

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Espinoza was winless with two mounts on Sunday, his first rides since Feb. 6. He is not booked to ride on an eight-race program Friday at Santa Anita.

Gaining mounts has been a struggle. Espinoza had 12 rides in January, including a third on Blitzkrieg in the Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes on Jan. 1. Best known as the regular rider of American Pharoah and California Chrome in the last decade, the 48-year-old Espinoza says he is focused more on quality mounts than riding everyday races. His goal this spring is one familiar to many riders – win the Kentucky Derby, which Espinoza has done three times.

“I’m trying to find a Derby horse to ride in the near future,” he said. “It’s still a little early. In the next month, we’ll see if there are some horses that could catch my eye.”