Espinoza staying grounded despite Triple Crown accolades

Victor Espinoza has become a household name since sweeping the TC with American Pharoah in the Belmont Stakes (Spencer Tulis/Horsephotos.com) For Victor Espinoza, everything is different and everything’s the same since becoming a household name after riding American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) to Triple Crown victories in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Preakness S. (G1) and Belmont S. (G1). The self-proclaimed “Happy Mexican” still has that same ready smile and low-profile persona, but he’s nobody’s fool. He recognizes his every move will now be subject to scrutiny. “Everything is good, everything is under control,” Espinoza said. “There’s a lot of excitement and I’ve been keeping busy doing different things, but I know there is more pressure on me than before because now everyone is focused on me and what I’m doing. “Now every time I make a mistake, people will know about it,” he laughed. That won’t prevent Espinoza from keeping things in perspective. Despite the whirlwind PR commitments, he maintains support of his No. 1 charity, the City of Hope in Duarte, California.

The reinsman grossed $80,000 from his Belmont Stakes victory, and donated a good portion of that to City of Hope.

“I had to pay taxes and my agent (Brian Beach), but whatever I earned for
myself from the Belmont, I gave to City of Hope,” he explained. “Those kids are so young to be dealing with cancer. But
it’s not just kids. Older people, too.

“I’ve been to City of Hope several times,
and I do what I can because they all need help and I can provide some. That
disease is terrible. Your health is your most important thing.”

The City of Sierra Madre will be giving their famous resident a special commendation for his part in winning the Triple Crown
at its next City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 23. Espinoza will also be
honored with a convertible ride in the annual Sierra Madre Fourth of July
Parade this year.

One day after the parade, the 43-year-old native of Mexico will make a special
appearance and ride on the $1.175 million Summit of Speed program at Gulfstream
Park on Sunday, July 5.

“I’m very much looking forward to a return to South
Florida and Gulfstream Park,” Espinoza said. “If I remember
right, my last time there was the Breeders’ Cup of 1999.”

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