SPORTS

Q&A with Triple Crown-winning jockey Victor Espinoza

Victor Espinoza discusses his Triple Crown win before an Aug. 3 appearance in New Rochelle.

Kevin Phelan
kphelan@lohud.com
At 43-years-old, Victor Espinoza is the oldest Triple Crown-winning jockey in history.

Victor Espinoza made history June 6 when, for the first time in 37 years, he rode a horse to a Triple Crown victory, winning the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes atop American Pharoah.

"Now everything is different and I’m just having fun," says Espinoza.

Raised on a farm in rural Mexico, Espinoza says that dreams of becoming the world's top jockey would never even cross his mind. At 43-years-old, the oldest Triple Crown-winning jockey in history says he doesn't even remember the last time a winner was crowned, when Affirmed claimed the title back in 1978.

"I never grew up around the racetrack," he says. "My first time at the track, I was, I think, I was 13 years old. That was my first time I ever saw a race. I grew up on the farm with horses and other animals, but not the race horses."

"American Pharoah, he’s a special horse," Victor Espinoza says.

2015 may have been his first win, but Espinoza had flirted with the Triple Crown twice in the past, having won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness in 2002 and 2014, riding War Emblem and California Chrome, respectively.

"I won my first Kentucky Derby and next thing I know, I’m one step away from the Triple Crown," Espinoza recalls. "And I didn’t know what to do or what to say. I couldn’t believe it."

Espinoza will be at Steiner Sports Aug. 3 to meet fans.

Espinoza will reflect on those experiences and more when he stops by Steiner Sports, 145 Huguenot St, New Rochelle, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 3 to meet with fans and participate in a Q&A.

The cost is $199.99, which includes two tickets to the discussion, a photo with Espinoza and a signed photograph. Call 914-307-1065 or log on to MarketingGroup@steinsersports.com.

We caught up with the record breaking jockey with some questions before he gallops into town.

How much of the win do you credit to American Pharoah?

American Pharoah, he’s a special horse, you know? Triple Crown winners, they have to be a super, super, super champion. Obviously, there are only 12 and that’s the reason. They all have to be better than any other horse and American Pharoah is one of the 12.

He’s talented. The way he runs, the way he touches the ground when he’s running. He’s a heavy horse but his feet are so light. It’s like a swimmer. When the other horses are struggling, he’s just having fun. He does things so easily. He’s probably laughing at them, all the horses behind him.

When did you first know he was special?

The very first time I rode him, last year at Del Mar. When (trainer) Bob Baffert asked me if I want to ride one of his horses; it was amazing. And I never rode a horse as amazing, and so I thought, “OK, I’ll ride him for you, Bob.” And the day of that race, he talked to me and he said, “Whatever you do, just send him. Just send him to the front.”

Jimmy, the assistant trainer was walking me through the tunnel going to the track and was like, "I’m going to take (the horse), because he’s a little crazy. Last time he got loose and the first time he ran and was a nightmare."

And I was like “Oh boy, now I know why they put me on.” (laughs) But it was worth it. When they sent us out of the gate and I took the lead, when he gets to that high speed, I was like “Wow.” It just feels different. It feels like there’s so much power in there.

Espinoza donated his Triple Crown winnings to City of Hope for cancer research.

Now that there’s a new Triple Crown champ, do you think more people will be interested in the sport?

Oh yes. I can only speak for myself, but everywhere I go, they’re all talking about the Triple Crown and racing. And many people I’ve met are like "Oh this is the first time I’ve come to a track. I never watched the races, but for you I watch them." It’s so cool and many, many people  -- there are new ones coming to the track  -- and I think it’s great.

You always donate part of your winnings to City of Hope for cancer research. You gave them all your earnings from the Triple Crown. What compelled you to do that?

The reason I always do that is I see those little kids with such a horrible, horrible disease. They don’t even know how long they are going to live; they just go day by day. And it reminds me of when I was a kid. When I was a kid, I was able to do a lot of things -- go play outside and get dirty in the mud; just a mess. And then there are these are kids who cannot do what they want and it’s heartbreaking. For me, it’s all about helping and that’s why I donated all my earnings.

Have you been to City of Hope since the Triple Crown win?

I went one time after I won the Triple Crown to see those kids and take them some gifts and there was one little girl that I met a year ago in the hospital. She was there for like six months. And when she found out I was coming back this year, she decided she wanted to go and see me. It was just an incredible feeling because one year to the next, she looks great and she grew up probably like two inches or three. I hardly recognized her! It makes me feel so great inside and for that I don’t have any problem donating all my earnings. It’s just a great thing.

So do you have any advice for kids that might look up to you?

Absolutely. My only advice for all these young kids, whatever career they choose – not just jockeys – would be just have goals in life and to just never give up.

Twitter: kev_incredulous