Agent: Espinoza removes neck brace, awaiting clearance to ride

HRN Staff
Photo: Eclipse Sportswire

Amid an outpouring of support following a morning training fall by Victor Espinoza, the Hall of Fame jockey has posted to his Twitter account just once:

Espinoza wants to return to the saddle, and he came a step closer Wednesday. Agent Brian Beach reported that while Espinoza's awaiting clearance to ride, the 46-year-old was able to remove his neck brace.

Doctors, Beach posted on Twitter, "are happy with his progress but he still has a ways to go to regain strength in his left arm. Victor is in good spirits and appreciates all the kind wishes." Espinoza was working Grade 2 winner Bobby Abu Dhabi just past 9 a.m. PT on July 22 when the horse suffered a suspected sudden cardiac event and died, throwing the rider. Following a stay at Scripps La Jolla hospital in southern California, Espinoza was transferred to a local rehabilitation clinic before allowed to return home on Aug. 2.

The jockey known for his assignments in recent years aboard Horse of the Year California Chrome and Triple Crown winner American Pharoah is expected to make a full recovery.

Read More

Clark fair odds: Who Dey think gonna beat that Ohio-bred?
The good news is the answer to my headline question is that a lot of people think most...
Now close to break-even, HISA loses $1.4 million in 2024
After being $4.6 million in the black in 2023, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority showed a deficit...
Head to Head: A full plate of opinions on the Clark Stakes
Churchill Downs is serving up more than leftovers this Thanksgiving weekend. It ’s delivering a full feast of...
Division rankings: Hit Show deserves spotlight in the Clark
This week I’m stepping away from the Eclipse Award debates. In the last two weeks, I’ve broken down...
Del Mar: Locals take on shippers in Matriarch on closing day
Locals Ag Bullet and Medoro are set to take on east-based rivals In Our Time and Ozara in...