Espinoza back in the winner's circle with San Carlos Stakes win
Under the come-backing Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza, St. Joe Bay, the first horse he worked after rehabbing from a morning training injury last summer, led gate to wire Saturday to win Satna Anita Park's Grade 2, $200,000 San Carlos Stakes by three lengths.
A three-time Kentucky Derby winner, Espinoza registered his first win since going to the sidelines with a broken neck as St. Joe Bay stopped the clock for seven furlongs in 1:24.06.
"It feels great to be back in the winner’s circle," Espinoza said. "It’s very encouraging to go forward in my career after what happened. This has put me on a different level, mentally as well after what happened. I thought I would never be back to ride."
The 7-year-old St. Joe Bay, who was claimed for $62,500 seven starts back on May 28 of last year, out-footed 6-5 favorite Ax Man for the early lead and was in command throughout and somewhat assuaged a desperate nose defeat sustained minutes earlier by his John Sadler-trained stablemate Catapult in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1).
Off at 15-1 in a field of seven older horses, St. Joe Bay paid $33.60, $14.20 and $7.40.
“No, this doesn’t make up for the last one," Sadler said. "We’re really happy for Victor who’s on his comeback. He’s worked hard and it’s been tough with the calendar. He was ready to go a month ago and he had to stop, so it’s good for him to get back to the winner’s circle.
“The horse got was second, got beat a head in this race last year. It’s a good distance for him, he got out, got rolling and the rest is history.”
In registering his third career graded victory, he picked up $120,000 for the win, increasing his earnings to $734,515. He now has an overall mark of 36: 7-7-6.
Dr. Dorr, who assumed the mantle of “the other Baffert,” when compared to his heavily backed stablemate Ax Man, shifted to the rail while next to last three furlongs from home and make a solid run through the lane to finish second, 1 ¼ lengths in front of Kanthaka.
Ridden by Tyler Baze, Dr. Dorr was off at 6-1 and paid $8.60 and $5.60.
The second choice at 5-2, Kanthaka, who was ridden by Rafael Bejarano, finished 3 ¼ lengths clear of Solid Wager and paid $3.60 to show.
Ax Man, with Drayden Van Dyke up, checked in fifth.
Fractions on the race were 22.45, 45.22 and 1:10.41.