Fibonaccis Ride ($36.80), Espinoza notch upset in Solana Beach
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DEL MAR, Calif. - It has taken a few races, but Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza is getting to know the 4-year-old filly Fibonaccis Ride.
After finishing second in two allowance races at Santa Anita in May with Espinoza aboard, Fibonaccis Ride is unbeaten in two starts at the current Del Mar meeting.
On Saturday, Espinoza rode Fibonaccis Ride to an upset win in the $150,500 Solana Beach Stakes for statebred fillies and mares at a mile on turf.
The Solana Beach Stakes was Fibonaccis Ride’s first stakes win in her third start in such a race, and the first Del Mar stakes win for the 54-year-old Espinoza in nearly three years.
“It’s been a long time, especially here,” he said.
Espinoza, best known for winning the 2015 Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup Classic on American Pharoah, does not attract as many mounts as he did in the past. In his career, Espinoza has won 110 stakes at Del Mar, second only to the retired Hall of Famer Chris McCarron, who won 134.
Fibonaccis Ride ($36.80) was Espinoza’s 10th win this year from 87 mounts.
Espinoza rode Fibonaccis Ride to an allowance race for statebred fillies and mares at Del Mar on July 26, closing from fifth of 10. Fibonaccis Ride won the Solana Beach in a similar manner.
Fibonaccis Ride was sixth of seven to the turn, chasing 3-5 Grand Slam Smile and 3-1 Can’t Sleep, who raced through a strong early pace of 22.97 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.86 for a half-mile.
Espinoza had Fibonaccis Ride in fifth on the turn. She rallied between Grand Slam Smile and Can’t Sleep in the final furlong to reach the front in the final furlong. Fibonaccis Ride won by 1 1/4 lengths over 13-1 Quick Kate, who was fourth early.
“She has a strong turn of foot,” Espinoza said. “I thought, I’ll let her run in the stretch and see what she can do. It set up perfect for her.”
Fibonaccis Ride was timed in 1:34.74.
“She’s learning how to relax,” Espinoza said. “I think I get along with her.”
Wink and a Grin (8-1) finished third, followed by Grand Slam Smile, Can’t Sleep, Kikuride and Clubhouse Cutie. Liberation, Miso Phansy, Orange Thunder, Stop Digging and Take Another Card were withdrawn earlier on Saturday. All were listed as scratched by their trainers other than Miso Phansy, who is entered to race on Sunday.
Grand Slam Smile, a winner of 12 of 23 starts, earned $9,000 for finishing fourth, and has career earnings of $997,120. She has won 10 stakes, including the 2025 Solana Beach Stakes.
Fibonaccis Ride, a 4-year-old filly by Clubhouse Ride, is owned by Zephyr Racing and trained by Antonio Garcia. She has won 4 of 13 starts and earned $230,100.
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