Espinoza set to begin in-home physical therapy for spinal injury

DEL MAR, Calif. – Jockey Victor Espinoza was released from a local rehabilitation clinic early Thursday afternoon, 11 days after he suffered a fractured vertebra in a training accident at Del Mar on July 22.

Espinoza was scheduled to begin in-home physical therapy on Friday, according to his agent, Brian Beach.

The 46-year-old rider was hospitalized until July 27 when he was transferred to the rehab center. Espinoza is expected to remain in the Del Mar area in coming weeks and will wear a neck brace through August.

There is no timetable on a return to riding, Beach said.

The injury occurred when Espinoza was exercising the graded stakes winner Bobby Abu Dhabi, who was fatally stricken with a possible cardiac event during a workout.

Espinoza is best known for winning the Kentucky Derby three times, most recently aboard Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in 2015. He won the race in 2014 with the popular two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome.

Outside of racing, Espinoza gained national fame when he appeared on the popular television program “Dancing With The Stars” in 2015.