Espinoza Looks Forward to Belmont Return

Could the third time be the charm for Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winning jockey Victor Espinoza?

While the world will ultimately know less than three weeks from today, one thing is clear: he cannot wait to return to Belmont Park with American Pharoah.

Saturday, June 6 will mark the 147th running of the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes, the oldest and most difficult leg of horse racing's Triple Crown. Internationally known as the "Test of the Champion" for its grueling distance of 1 1/2 miles, the Belmont has twice eluded Espinoza with two previous Triple Crown contenders: War Emblem in 2002, and California Chrome in 2014.

Espinoza, a native of Mexico who will turn 43 on May 21, is acutely aware of the past challenges wrought by the Belmont's vast distance.

"Unfortunately, when I get there with the horses that I've been coming back, they seem to get a little tired when they get to the Belmont," said Espinoza, the first jockey to have a third chance to win the Triple Crown.

However, it has not dampened the spirits of Espinoza, who noted that while "my times there have been down, I don't want to give up. I'm coming back again for the third time.

"I come this year with a different mind now," he added. "It's not easy, but American Pharoah, if he can do it, I'm there."

The three-time Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner lauded the track surface at Belmont Park.

"It's is an amazing track, there's plenty of room in there," he said. "For me, I always love tracks like Belmont with that long stretch and the horses seem to like it."

Espinoza beamed while discussing his impending return to the Big Apple.  

"New York is awesome," he said. "It's just an amazing city."

Source: NYRA