Victor Espinoza Finishes Second in Return to Racing

In his first race in nearly seven months, Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza put Hronis Racing's Gallantlystreaming in good position early then rallied to a second-place finish in the first race Feb. 18 at Santa Anita Park.

Espinoza and Gallantlystreaming broke well from the outside post in Monday's 6 1/2-furlong maiden claiming race on the hillside course. They settled into fifth early behind the early runners and launched their final move about midway through the turn but settled for second as Del Secco DCS Racing's Queen of the Track got loose in early stretch and cruised to a 2 3/4-length score. 

"It was great, it was a fun ride," Espinoza said. "She ran great, and you can't ask for much more. We got the first race out of the way and now we've got to go on and find the next champion. I wasn't nervous, I was kind of excited (going to the starting gate), excited to know I came back and could continue my career."

Victor Espinoza Set for Return to Racing

Espinoza fell from the fatally injured Bobby Abu Dhabi during a workout at Del Mar July 22 and had been sidelined because of a fractured vertebra in his neck. The road to recovery and return to the saddle has been a long and arduous journey for the 46-year-old jockey.

A rider of three Kentucky Derby (G1) winners—War Emblem (2002), California Chrome  (2014), and Triple Crown winner American Pharoah  (2015)—Espinoza said he and his agent, Brian Beach, are making themselves available to horsemen in the mornings at Santa Anita.

Monday with fans hollering words of encouragement from Santa Anita's Paddock Gardens, through the tunnel underneath the grandstand and on to the post parade, Espinoza expressed sincere appreciation to all those who have assisted him in his long road back from a broken neck.

"...It's very important to have support from the fans and the people around you," said Espinoza, who had limited use of his left arm and required 24-hour assistance for a period of time following his injury. "I appreciate that, I appreciate everything. Basically, I appreciate everything in life. I go day by day and continue my career surrounded by a lot of happy people."

It seemed fitting that owner Hronis Racing and trainer John Sadler would be the first to offer Espinoza a mount, as Victor had been the regular rider of their eventual Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and champion older male Accelerate , prior to the July 22 injury.

Although he had but one mount Monday, Espinoza remains hopeful he can again "smell the roses" on the first Saturday in May.

"That's my goal, hopefully I can find a Derby horse," he said. "That would be so awesome to come back and ride that race, not just ride it, I want to win it again!"