Espinoza Touring Like a Rock Star

Victor Espinoza is touring like a Rock Star.

After a guest appearance at The Meadowlands in New Jersey last night, the 42-year-old regular rider of California Chrome continues on his Wild Ride this week before piloting the rags-to-riches colt in the Belmont Stakes next Saturday.

“Things are evolving day by day,” said his agent, Brian Beach. “Now that he’s in New York, he has a whole new set of media that he’s exposed to, and other people who are looking for him to make an appearance here or there.

“He’ll throw out the first pitch at the Yankee game Monday; Tuesday there’s a writers’ luncheon; Wednesday, it’s the draw (for the Belmont) in the morning and the Letterman show tapes about three that afternoon.

“Thursday, he rides a couple (at Belmont Park), Friday he rides a couple, and he may make an appearance on the Today Show Friday morning.

“That’s about it. We’re trying to kind of slow it down as we get closer to the race.”

After that, Victor has left the building.

‘CHROME’ BUTTONS TO FIRST 10,000 AT SANTA ANITA SATURDAY

Santa Anita will present a “strip” show on June 7. Boom, ba da boom, ba da boom, boom, boom!

No, not that kind of strip show. This one will be a promotional nasal strip in support of California Chrome as he seeks to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978 by winning the final jewel in racing’s Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes.

To receive their memento, fans need only to stop by the Chrome Zone located on the apron at the top of the stretch. The nasal strip is purple and displays “Chrome” across it.

In addition to the nasal strip with paid admission while supplies last, the first 10,000 fans can receive at Belmont button displaying the Santa Anita tagline, “Bring It Home California Chrome.”