Espinoza, Alan Sherman Throw Out First Pitch at Yankee Stadium

Victor Espinoza (above) celebrates after guiding California Chrome to a win ion the Kentucky Derby on May 3. On Monday, Espinoza and California Chrome's assistant trainer Alan Sherman threw out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium before the New York Yankees played the Seattle Mariners. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)
By Tom Pedulla, America’s Best Racing
NEW YORK – Victor Espinoza, the jockey for Triple Crown threat California Chrome, has plenty of time to put his game face on before they make what they hope will be an historic run in the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday. For now, his mind is on having some fun.
He joined Alan Sherman, the son of 77-year-old trainer Art Sherman, in throwing out the first pitch before the Seattle Mariners opposed the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Monday night. 
Although neither managed to throw a strike from the rubber, both reached the catcher, which amounted to a victory of sorts.
“It was not too bad,” said Espinoza, who received a warm welcome from the crowd after Sam “The Bugler” Grossman, most often heard calling the horses to the post at New York Racing Association tracks, played a stirring rendition of the national anthem.
Sherman has been in charge of California Chrome since the Preakness. His father arrived Monday afternoon to inspect the horse, who looks considerably better than Alan does on the mound.
“I’m just trying to relax a little bit,” said Alan. “The closer we get to the race, the less I will be relaxed.”
ART (left) AND ALAN SHERMAN CELEBRATE AFTER THE DERBY

Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
Neither Espinoza nor Sherman had been to famed Yankee Stadium before. But Espinoza, 42, said he became aware of the Yankees at a young age as he grew up in Veracruz, Mexico.
“That was the first team I ever knew, the Yankees,” he said. “I got to be a big fan of the Yankees.”
Although Espinoza rides regularly on the West Coast, he arrived in New York last Friday because he wanted to be sure to be aboard for California Chrome’s only workout before the 1 ½-mile Belmont.
“I was really curious how he would feel after the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness,” he said. “After I worked him, I was a little more happy and a little more relaxed.”
The splendid California-bred zipped four furlongs in :47.60 and maintained a strong pace through five furlongs in :59.93. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.80.
“Exactly what I wanted,” Espinoza said.
Espinoza is not new to being in New York with a Triple Crown at stake. He dealt with the enormous media demands and the mounting pressure in 2002, when War Emblem swept the Derby and Preakness for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
“I feel more confident than in 2002,” Espinoza said. “The only reason I say that is War Emblem was a difficult horse to ride. He wanted to be in the front. He hated to be behind horses and that is difficult for me, going a mile and a half.”
California Chrome and Espinoza have never been defeated since they joined forces last Dec. 22, pounding out six consecutive stakes victories by a combined margin of 27 ½ lengths. “California Chrome is really kind. Whatever you want him to do, he will do,” Espinoza said.
John Buck, Seattle’s catcher, was among the players who wanted an opportunity to meet Espinoza. Buck said he and his teammates are all rooting for Chrome to emerge as the 12th Triple Crown champion and the first since Affirmed in 1978.
“Thirty-six years without it ever being done kind of tells you how difficult it is,” Buck said.
TRIPLE CHROME BOUND