'Rage' gives Espinoza fourth winner

ARCADIA, Calif. - Jockey Victor Espinoza completed a banner day by riding his fourth Cal Cup winner in the finale, the $125,000 Cal Cup Juvenile. He guided He's the Rage to a four-length victory in a race that went fast early and slow late.

The race shape was ideal for He's the Rage, who was sixth in the nine-horse field after a half-mile. The swift half-mile in 45.53 seconds sapped the front-runners, and He's the Rage rallied to win in 1:44.65 for 1 1/16 miles on the fast main track.

Black Horse Money was second and 5-2 favorite Don'tsellmeshort was third.

He's the Rage ($7.80) was making only his second start. He was a fast-finishing second in a six-furlong maiden race on Oct. 11.

"It was a question of running here or in a maiden race," said his trainer, Jim Cassidy. "I thought he was good enough to get a big piece of this."