'Victor's helped,' and his nephew, Asa, is a natural in the saddle

Asa Espinoza is far and away the Santa Anita Park meet’s leading apprentice rider, and with 21 victories, is tied for fifth overall at the spring session which ends Sunday.

Not bad for an 18-year-old kid.

“He’s done really well for a guy who started from scratch here in February,” said his agent, Brian Beach, who also represents Asa’s uncle, Hall of Fame member Victor Espinoza.

“Usually it’s not advisable for an apprentice to start out at Santa Anita. Generally they come here with a couple hundred mounts under their belt, so from where he started to where he is now is remarkable.

“Victor’s helped him a lot, and Asa is good at listening to advice from veteran riders like Kent Desormeaux, Martin Pedroza and Tyler Baze who also have helped him.

“He still doesn’t have his driver’s license. He takes his test in two weeks.”