Espinoza remains hospitalized, 'in good spirits' after fall

Victor Espinoza's agent, Brian Beach, said Tuesday the Hall of Fame jockey remains hospitalized after his fall from a Grade 2-winning horse during a workout at Del Mar that left Espinoza with a broken C-3 vertebra in his neck and a "stinger" in his shoulder.

Beach posted to his Twitter account that while there is no timetable for Espinoza's release from Scripps La Jolla Hospital, the rider's condition remains stable.

Espinoza is "in good spirits" as he continues "experiencing some numbness and tingling in his upper extremities."

The 46-year-old, well known for his Triple Crown sweep aboard American Pharoah, as well as for riding two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome, is expected to make a full recovery. He will not ride, however, at the Del Mar meet that runs through early September.

Espinoza was aboard Bobby Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning when the horse experienced a sudden cardiac event and died. The jockey laid motionless on the track before tended to by paramedics and transported to the hospital.

Brian Trump, racing manager for Rockingham Ranch, owner of Bobby Abu Dhabi, tweeted that Espinoza's prognosis "brings some happiness to an otherwise tragic event. Victor is not only our jockey, but has become a good friend over the years. His hard work is only matched by his passion for life. "He has done so much to grow horse racing in the U.S. and has dedicated so much time to philanthropic causes. I’m proud to call him my friend, and from all of us at (Rockingham Ranch), get well soon champ!"