Jockey Espinoza plans comeback this month

ARCADIA, Calif. – Jockey Victor Espinoza is nearing a comeback this month from an injury sustained in a training accident at Del Mar last summer.

Espinoza was scheduled to resume working horses at Santa Anita on Saturday and intends to resume riding as early as Jan. 17, his agent, Brian Beach, said Friday. There is a five-day racing week at Santa Anita from Jan. 17-21. Beach said Espinoza’s comeback could occur during that span.

“We want to make sure he is ready,” Beach said. “It will be the last third of the month. His doctor gave him an all-clear sign about a month ago and he’s been working on his fitness. Fitness in the gym and fitness on the back of a racehorse are two different things.”

Espinoza, 46, suffered a fracture of the transverse process of his C-3 vertebra when he was unseated from the stakes winner Bobby Abu Dhabi during a workout at Del Mar on July 22. Bobby Abu Dhabi collapsed and died in the incident.

In the months that followed, Espinoza underwent extensive physical therapy.

Espinoza is best known as the regular rider for the two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome and Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. Outside of racing, Espinoza gained popularity for appearing on the television show “Dancing with the Stars” in 2015.