Make no mistake about it: Victor Espinoza is back.
The 47-year-old jockey punctuated his return to the saddle when he led all Del Mar jockeys with six victories during Week 5 of the meet. And he added an exclamation point Sunday when he won three times, including two long shots (It's Fitting at $37.60 and Midcourt at $31) when he noticed an outside bias on the Del Mar main track.
The inside of the track was not the place to be so Espinoza put his horses in the middle of the track and stole three wins from his competitors.
"I thought we were well positioned coming into the week," said Brian Beach, Espinoza's agent, on Tuesday, "but I didn't expect three wins on Sunday. I really liked Flagstaff (a $3.60 winner in the day's fourth race).
"It's hard to predict how a track is going to play, but the rail (inside) was dead. Victor recognized it and put his horses out in the middle of the track.
"He watches for that stuff and he knew early where the best part of the track was."
That's why Espinoza is a Hall of Famer and he's just $122,297 from reaching the $200 million mark in career purse earnings.
Of course, a year ago, Espinoza's career almost came to an end after a serious injury at Del Mar during morning training hours. There were times a day like Sunday could never have been thought about.
But hard work returning from the spine injury has paid off and Espinoza _ the jockey that rode California Chrome and American Pharoah to greatness _ is slowly but surely regaining business that he had.
Despite having almost 40 fewer mounts than many of the leading riders at Del Mar, Espinoza is seventh in the jockey standings with 10 wins from 62 mounts. He has also been a bettor's best friend. If you had $2 on each of his mounts so far, you would be ahead $91. (His wins include the first Grade I victory since his injury, aboard Cistron in last month's Bing Crosby.)
"We've been choosing our spots," said Beach. "We took it easy at Santa Anita when he came back, but he loves Del Mar. This is his home. He has a place across from the polo fields. He likes to stay busy here. He doesn't like to sit around.
"I think he's riding as good, if not better, than before the accident. I've felt that way since May.
"He lost a little muscle and he trimmed down after the accident. He looks like the young Victor Espinoza used to look."
Beach believes Espinoza found a new resolve while in rehab.
"He's more appreciative," Beach said. "It means more to him now. He realized how close be came to retirement and he's not ready for that."
Trainer John Sadler agrees.
Sadler has always been one of Espinoza's biggest backers. Espinoza had the mount on eventual 2018 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Accelerate before he was injured and he has ridden four winners for Sadler at the current meet.
"Obviously, you appreciate things more when something has been missing," said Sadler. "Victor did it the right way. He didn't rush things. Sports can be cruel but Victor is in a good place right now."
And Beach is looking to find Espinoza the next great thoroughbred.
Espinoza will be on Nolde in the Del Mar Derby and he has the mount on the 2-year-old filly Inspiressa, trained by Sadler, in the Del Mar Debutante after her impressive maiden victory Aug. 11.
"We're looking to finish strong," said Beach.
If last week is any indication, Espinoza is well on his way to doing that.
