Yesterdayoncemore aces U.S. debut in Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf

DEL MAR, Calif. – Owing to a lengthy absence after being injured here in the summer of 2018, and then a truncated racing calendar when he first returned earlier this year, Victor Espinoza came into the Del Mar meeting still looking to build his business. By closing day, safe to say he was well on his way.

Espinoza rode European import Yesterdayoncemore to victory in the $102,106 Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf, giving him his fourth stakes win of the season here. It was a significant one, though, in that Espinoza now stands alone in third place all-time at this track with 101 stakes wins, breaking a tie he had with fellow Hall of Famer Gary Stevens following Espinoza’s victory aboard Nolde in the Del Mar Derby on Sunday.

“I’m pleased and thankful with the way the meet is ending,” Espinoza said. “I can’t ask for more.”

Espinoza gave Yesterdayoncemore a dream trip. He had her covered up for the first six furlongs of the one-mile grass race for 2-year-old fillies, and when she was sent to the front she never looked back en route to a one-length victory. She led a 1-2-3 sweep for Irish-bred and -raced fillies, with Croughavouke finishing second, 3 1/4 lengths in front of third-place Applecross.

Shedaresthedevil, the 6-5 favorite, was fourth, then came, in order, Overjoyed, Awesome Drive, Convoluted, Warren’s Showtime, Flamigo Bay, Text Dont Call, and Acai.

Yesterdayoncemore completed one mile on firm turf in 1:35.67.

Yesterdayoncemore was the most experienced horse in the race, with five starts, but she had yet to win. In addition to getting Espinoza, she received Lasix for the first time, and made her first start on firm turf after two starts on all-weather and three on good going.

She went off at 11-1 and paid $24 to win.

Yesterdayoncemore, a daughter of No Nay Never, is owned by a partnership that includes Deron Pearson’s D P Racing, in whose silks she ran. James “Fozzy” Stack has been her trainer in Ireland, and ran her here, but Pearson has his United States-based horses with Jim Cassidy.