Espinoza Tries to Carry Over Hollywood Success to Del Mar

Fresh off a riding title at Hollywood Park and the defending champion at Del Mar, jockey Victor Espinoza has live mounts in both divisions of the $75,000 Oceanside Stakes on opening day at Del Mar.

In the first division of the Oceanside, which is run at one mile on the turf, Espinoza will ride likely pacesetter One Union against seven other 3-yearolds.

Owned by Herman Sarkowsky and trained by Richard Mandella, One Union has won three of five, including two in a row, but this will be his first start on grass.

In his most recent appearance, One Union, who will break from the inside post, won an optional claimer by four lengths on the Hollywood Park main track June 21. In his only other try around two turns, the son of Dixie Union went wire-to-wire, winning a one-mile allowance race by 2 1/4 lengths on Feb. 3 at Santa Anita.

Espinoza’s mount in the other division of the Oceanside is European import Porto Santo. Owned by David Milch and trained by Julio Canani, the Kingsalsa colt won three of six in France and was third in a Group 1 as a 2-year-old in 2005.

Others in the field of nine include New Joysey Jeff and Blazing Sunset.

Race of the day: Lear Heights, an impressive maiden winner on the Churchill Downs turf course June 28, will seek a repeat in his Ellis Park debut in the ninth race today as the Henderson, Ky., track begins its 36-day meet. Miguel Mena will ride the 3-year-old Lear Fan colt for owner-breeder Victory View Farm and trainer Mike Maker in the $22,000 allowance at one mile.

One for the road: Original Spin will try Illinois breds for the first time in her career and should appreciate the class drop in the seventh race today at Arlington. Jesse Campbell will ride the 3-year-old Distorted Humor filly for Russell Reineman Stable, Inc. and trainer Anthony Mitchell in the $35,000 allowance at seven furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Run to the Border, Sea Harbor and Hatif in the fourth, Meetmeinthewoods and Sports Edition in the fifth and Caribbean and One Union in the sixth.