Espinoza Is One to Beat

Even though he trails Laffit Pincay, Jr. and Alex Solis in the jockey standings at Hollywood Park, Victor Espinoza has to be considered the favorite to win the title.

With eight racing days remaining before the scene shifts back to Santa Anita, Espinoza has 26 winners, three less than Pincay and one fewer than Solis, but both of those riders will be absent in the coming days.

Pincay will miss the final six days of the meet because of a suspension and a trip to Calder where he will be honored by the track. Solis, meanwhile, will vacation for three days next week.

Espinoza, who had three winners on Wednesday, has mounts in five of the eight races on today’s card, but none of them are favored.

One of his rides is on an interesting first-time starter for trainer Bobby Frankel.

Gassan Royal, a son of 1990 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Royal Academy, will face seven other 2-year-old maidens in the third at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. He is listed at 8-1 on Russ Hudak’s morning line.

Besides Gassan Royal, Espinoza will ride 8-1 longshot Northern Colony in the second, 15-1 outsider Tangara in the fifth, 12-1 longshot Popular in the sixth and 8-1 longshot Dena’s Diamond in the seventh.

Race of the day: The fifth at Hollywood Park is a $62,500 claimer for older fillies and mares at one mile on the turf. Contenders include the comebacking Onaccountofyou, Desiraes My Candy and Last Tango. It’s a good betting race to kick off the pick four.

Who’s hot: Robby Albarado. The jockey won with six of his first 17 mounts at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

Who’s not: Howard Tesher. The New York-based trainer is five of 122 in 2002.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling B.Z. Jones in the fourth, using Desiraes My Candy, Last Tango and Onaccountofyou in the fifth and Bluesthestandard, Olmodavor and Freedom Crest in the sixth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/68. Money: Previous day/meet total: $15.20/$396.40. Total money bet: $458.