Victor Espinoza finally secured the biggest achievement for a jockey as he rode American Pharoah to victory at the Belmont Stakes on Saturday to complete the elusive Triple Crown.
"It's all about him. He's the star and he's going to put on the show. I am just the pilot," said Jockey Victor Espinoza of the Triple Crown contender, American Pharoah."And whatever makes him happy, that's going to be it. If he's not happy he's not going to perform. American Pharoah has to be in a good mood," Espinoza said at the unveiling of the commemorative original painting entitled "American Pharaoh" ("The Dream Team") by artist Susan Sommer-Luarca at KTCHN at The OUT Hotel in New York last week.
The 2015 Belmont Stakes promises to be a memorable one. American Pharoah will go for the exclusive Triple Crown, which hasn't been done since 1978. Let's break it down.
Tiger Woods won't be riding American Pharoah at any upcoming horse races, but Woods and American Pharoah are both chasing greatness. Woods still has three majors remaining this year while American Pharoah can still win the triple crown.
After having come up short in winning thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown with "War Emblem" in 2002, Victor Espinoza came in fifth place in Saturday's Belmont Stakes as once again attempted to become the first Hispanic jockey to win the historic yet elusive title.
The 146th running of the Belmont Stakes has enormous history on the line. For the first time over 30 years we could witness a Triple Crown winner. On top of that, we could see the first ever Latin American born jockey win the Triple Crown.
