Racing! Victor Espinoza finishes second in comeback race

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we wonder what Galilean’s next race might be.

It was great to see Victor Espinoza back in the saddle on Monday. He didn’t win but got the most of his horse to finish second.

Espinoza’s return to racing was never a certainty, given the severity of his injuries after his horse broke down during a workout. It’s been almost seven months since he last raced and most of that time has been in physical therapy.

Initially, he was partially paralyzed and then suffered the lingering affects of such a devastating accident. But the Hall of Famer is tough and his resolve is even more tough.

Eric (Manny) Sondheimer was at Santa Anita to chronicle his return and I urge you to read his report. Just click here.

But, while Eric will give you a smarter more curated version of the day, we’re just going to download his post-race comments. So, here’s unfiltered Victor.

“It was great, it was a fun ride. She ran great and you can’t ask for much more. We got the first race out of the way and now we’ve got to go on and find the next champion. I wasn’t nervous. I was kind of excited [going to the gate], excited to know I came back and could continue my career.

“I thought we had a little chance [to win in the stretch] but the winner was too far ahead of me and too tough to catch. But my filly ran pretty good and I feel great.

“It was a big question not only for other people but for me, as to whether I could make it back. I couldn’t even walk 20 or 30 feet without getting tired, and now, to have recovered after seven months, it’s just an unbelievable feeling on my part. Not so much to come back and ride, but that my health has come back 100%.

“It’s a lesson learned to never give up. Our health is the most important thing and you have to keep going. After I had my accident (July 22) it was just ups and downs, like a roller coaster. There were days I felt good, days I felt bad, days I felt I would come back and days I felt I wanted nothing to do with racing.

“But mentally, you have to be strong, and it’s very important to have support from the fans and the people around you. I appreciate that. I appreciate everything. Basically, I appreciate everything in life. I go day by day and continue my career surrounded by a lot of happy people. It feels great. It’s always good to have that much support from everyone and health is most important and I’m ready to go.

“I don’t even want to remember what happened that day, I try not to remember. It was bad. I was really in bad shape, that was the worst accident I could ever experience in my life and it was not easy, but thanks to all the help and everyone that was around me, they supported me. But I also had to do a lot on my part and just keep going, just never give up and the only reason I did that [was because] I wanted to feel better. I wanted to feel like before. I want to do things on my own, and do all the things I want to do. It was not easy but you know what? Everything pays off and I am here.

“[Trainer] John [Sadler] has been a big supporter of my career and we have had a lot of success together and I can’t thank him enough because he put me in the first horse to work and he also put me in the first race, there are many others maybe who still do not have much confidence in me that I may not be ready to race but they’re all there to see me ride in the first race.”

Best wishes to Jay Cohen

Bill Plaschke’s terrific story on bugler Jay Cohen prompted a lot of you to want to send best wishes his way. Here’s how you can do it. Just send your thoughts in an email to Mike Willman, Santa Anita’s tireless media relations boss, and he’ll make sure Jay gets it. Mike’s email is mike.willman@santaanita.com . I’m sure Jay would love to hear from you. If you missed Bill’s story, just click here.

Santa Anita review

No big surprise in the first of two stakes races on Monday’s card. In the $200,000 California Cup Derby, for Cal-bred 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on the turf, heavy, heavy favorite Galilean had little more than a paid workout winning by 4 ½ lengths in a race in which he was never asked for much.

Galilean paid the minimum $2.10, $2.10 and $2.10. Feeling Strong was second and Whooping Jay was third. The real question now, is will he head to the Kentucky Derby trail.

“We have a whole bunch of options,” said winning trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. “There are a lot of races everywhere for him and we’re nominated everywhere, so we’ll try to make a good decision as to where to run next.

“I don’t think [distance] is an issue. We wanted to take advantage of him being a Cal-bred, take advantage of giving him another race and running here. That’s what we wanted to do and that’s what we did.”

Jockey Flavien Prat remained high on the colt.

“It’s quite exciting because he’s done everything right so far,” Prat said. “Like everyone else though, he needs to improve of course, but it’s exciting to win this time of year. He’s a good 3-year-old.”

In the $200,000 California Cup Oaks, for 3-year-old fillies going a mile on the turf, Mucho Unusulal pulled a big upset winning gate to wire by three lengths.

Mucho Unusual paid $23.80, $11.20 and $6.20. Lippy was second and Lakerball was third.

“What went into the decision [to run] was the stakes schedule, her action, being out of the Unusual Heat mare and her half-brother is a turf performer,” said winning trainer Tim Yakteen. “[I was] absolutely surprised there wasn’t more speed, on paper there was quite a bit of speed on paper it turned out we were [the speed] and [jockey] Joel [Rosario] took the lead and took command of the race.”

Big races review

A look at graded stakes or races worth more $100,000 or more on Monday.

Laurel (5): $100,000 Maryland Racing Media Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Enchanted Ghost ($15.20)

Aqueduct (8): $100,000 Hollie Hughes Stakes, NY-breds 4 and up, 6 furlongs. Winner: Bavaro ($4.90)

Santa Anita (4): $200,000 California Cup Derby, Cal-bred 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Galilean ($2.10)

Oaklawn (7): Grade 3 $200,000 Bayakoa Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: She’s a Julie ($4.80)

Santa Anita (5): $200,000 California Cup Oaks, Cal-bred fillies 3-years-old, 1 mile on turf. Winner: Mucho Unusual ($23.80)

Oaklawn (8): Grade 3 $500,000 Razorback Handicap, 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Coal Front ($4.60)

Oaklawn (9): Grade 3 $500,000 Southwest Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Super Steed ($126.60)

Final thought

Looking to jump the circulation of this newsletter. Can’t beat the price. If you like it, tell someone. If you don’t like it, then you’re probably not reading this. Either way, send to a friend and just have them click here and sign up. Remember, it’s free, and all we need is your email, nothing more.

Any thoughts, drop me an email at johnacherwa@gmail.com or feed my ego by following me on Twitter @jcherwa

Now, here’s the star of the show, Monday’s results. See you on Friday.

QUEEN OF THE TRACK had good early speed and dueled inside, inched away down the hill, drifted out crossing the dirt then drifted back to the inside nearing midstretch and won clear under left handed urging. GALLANTLYSTREAMING (IRE) had speed four wide then angled in and chased outside a rival then just off the rail, came out into the stretch, drifted in some in the drive but gained the place. A DIME FOR ME dueled between horses then outside the winner, stalked a bit off the rail, drifted out crossing the dirt, drifted inward in upper stretch and held third. FIELD BET had speed three deep to vie for the early lead then stalked off the rail, angled to the inside entering the stretch, steadied in tight along the rail in upper stretch, continued inside and was edged for the show. SAPORI GIRL settled off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and was outfinished for a minor award. GADOT saved ground chasing the pace throughout and lacked the needed rally. PERSEPHONE stalked outside then alongside a rival, drifted four wide into the stretch and weakened. DAIRY KID chased outside, came three wide into the stretch and lacked a further response. SI'MON LI'MON between horses early, chased a bit off the rail or between foes, angled to the inside nearing the stretch and weakened. LUCKY BRITE EYE broke slowly, dropped back off the rail, angled in a bit off the fence on the hill and was not a threat. The stewards conducted an inquiry into the upper stretch run between the third and fourth finishers but made no change when they ruled FIELD BET went for a hold that had already closed by the time she got there. Rail on hill at 14 feet.

FOR THE HUSTLE angled in and dueled outside the runner-up, inched away into the stretch and drew clear under urging and steady handling late. IMPLICITLY sent along inside, dueled from the rail, fought back on the turn, came out into the stretch and just held second. GIDDYMEISTER stalked between horses then off the rail into the stretch, angled to the inside in the drive and was edged for the place. SPEND IT bobbled at the start, chased outside then three deep into the turn, came four wide into the stretch and was edged for third. TYPHOON HARRY settled between horses then outside a rival, angled in on the backstretch, saved ground to the stretch, split horses in midstretch and improved position. ROYAL SEEKER stalked outside then four wide on the backstretch and turn, came three deep into the stretch and weakened. DUKE OF FALLBROOK chased inside then a bit off the rail leaving the backstretch, came out on the turn and four wide into the stretch and did not rally. SUNSET SEVEN a bit slow into stride, went up between horses to stalk the pace on the backstretch and turn, angled in a bit between foes into the stretch and weakened. HOLLYWOOD SQUARE angled in and saved ground stalking the pace, continued inside and had little left for the drive.

CONFIDENTIALLY stalked the pace inside then a bit off the rail, continued outside a rival on the second turn, came out some in the stretch and rallied under left handed urging to get up in the final stride. CURLIN'S JOURNEY close up stalking the pace a bit off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter into and on the second turn, took the lead into the stretch, inched away in midstretch and held on well but was caught on the line. RIA MUNK had speed outside a rival then kicked clear and set the pace off the rail, angled in on the backstretch, fought back inside on the second turn and in the stretch and just held third. DECORATING saved ground stalking the pace, came out a bit in the drive, was between horses in deep stretch and continued willingly but was edged for the show. COLDWATER leaned forward then broke slowly, chased just off the rail then outside a rival, went between foes on the second turn then just off the inside leaving that turn and into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. BREEZY BEE stalked outside a rival then three deep on the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the drive.

GALILEAN pressed the pace three deep, took the lead into the stretch and drew off while drifting to the inside under a moderate hand ride. FEELING STRONG settled off the rail chasing the pace, came four wide into the stretch, drifted in through the final furlong and was clearly second best. WHOOPING JAY pulled along the inside and was in tight off heels into the first turn, saved ground stalking the pace, came out on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and gained the show. IRISH HEATWAVE pressed the pace between horses, drifted inward in midstretch and weakened. LOUD MOUTH had good early speed and set a pressured pace inside, dropped back into the stretch, steadied when crowded in midstretch and had little left in the final furlong.

MUCHO UNUSUAL sped to the early lead, set the pace inside, fought off a rival on the second turn to inch away again and won clear under energetic handling. LIPPY saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch and held second. LAKERBALL chased three deep then outside a rival on the backstretch, split horses three wide leaving the second turn and into the stretch and was edged for the place. HOT ON THE TRAIL broke a bit slowly, angled in and pulled hard and steadied then bumped a rival into the first turn, chased inside then just off the rail, came out four wide into the stretch and improved position. APACHE PRINCESS bobbled at the start, angled in outside a rival and was bumped into the first turn, chased alongside a foe, went up four wide into and on the second turn and five wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. SILK FROM HEAVEN tugged between horses early, stalked a bit off the rail then inside on the second turn, waited off heels leaving that turn and could not offer the needed response in the drive. KOOKIE GAL angled in and pulled toward the inside and steadied early, chased outside a rival, split horses three deep on the second turn and four wide leaving that turn and into the stretch and weakened. TIZ A MASTER stalked a bit off the rail, bid outside the winner on the backstretch and into the second turn, fell back between foes leaving that turn and also weakened. CREATIVE INSTINCT stalked three deep then outside a rival, continued between foes on the second turn and into the stretch and had little left for the drive.

OH MAN had good early speed and dueled between horses, inched away into the stretch and won clear under urging. BUCK DUANE a step slow to begin, pulled his way along to press then stalk the pace between foes, continued a bit off the rail on the turn, split rivals in upper stretch and gained the place. LUCKY PATRICK went up inside to press the pace, dueled along the rail on the turn and just held third. AYACARA (GB) chased off the rail then outside, went four wide on the turn and into the stretch and was edged for the show. ROLLS ROYCE DEAL angled in and saved ground off the pace to the stretch, came out in midstretch and lacked the needed rally. CURLY'S MARK had speed between horses then dueled three deep on the backstretch and turn and weakened in the drive. LIGHTHOUSE POINT stalked outside then off the rail, went alongside a rival on the turn and four wide into the stretch and weakened. SCHULACE had speed between foes then stalked inside, came out on the turn and again into the stretch and also weakened. DERBY FACTOR settled outside a rival then a bit off the rail to the stretch and failed to menace.

GLIDING BY saved ground chasing the pace, moved up inside in the stretch, awaited room in tight in midstretch, got out nearing the sixteenth marker and surged under urging to prove best. TRAVIEZA sped to the early lead, set the pace along the inside and held on well but could not contain the winner late.B. CORDIALITY between horses early, settled off the rail, came three deep into the stretch and finished well. KELLY'S HUMOR steadied between horses at the right hand curve, angled in and chased inside, came out into the stretch and could not quite summon the needed late kick. OLEKSANDRA (AUS) stalked between horses then outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch, was forced out slightly in deep stretch and did not rally. LEXINGTON GRACE (IRE) had speed off the rail then dropped back and stalked outside, continued three deep leaving the hill and into the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. NINE POINT NINE between horses early, stalked a bit off the rail to the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. BIRDIE GOLD chased between horses then outside a rival, came out into the stretch and also weakened. A claim of foul by the owner of OLEKSANDRA against the winner for alleged interference in deep stretch was not allowed by the stewards, who ruled the incident minor and that it did not alter the original order of finish. Rail on hill at 14 feet.

FIRST SCREENING had speed outside the runner-up then inched away, angled in on the turn and won clear under a crack of the whip and good handling. IMMINENT sped to the early lead inside, stalked a bit off the rail into and on the turn and into the stretch and was clearly second best. PRINCESS JADA chased inside, came off the rail on the turn, split horses twice in the stretch and gained the show. MISS BOISTEROUS in a bit tight early, settled off the rail then outside a rival, swung four wide into the stretch and bested the others. PRINCESS LILI B squeezed back at the start, settled a bit off the rail then inside, came out in the stretch and improved position. CURRYFORTHREE BANG stalked between horses then off the rail into the turn, angled in some leaving the turn and weakened. TIZBUDS PRINCESS chased between rivals then a bit off the rail into the stretch, found the inside in the drive and also weakened. OUT OF CONTROL broke slowly, went up outside then chased four wide on the backstretch and turn, came three deep into the stretch and did not rally. FLOSS N DAB angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, fell back in the stretch and weakened. MISS OMNIPOTENT stalked three deep between horses on the backstretch and turn, came three wide into the stretch and also weakened.

SELLWOOD saved ground chasing the pace, came out in midstretch and surged under left handed crack of the whip to get up nearing the wire. COLOSI angled in outside a rival then inched away and set the pace inside, edged away from a foe again on the second turn and into the stretch and held on gamely but was caught late. JUNGLE WARFARE stalked the pace three deep to the stretch and bested the others. WAR CHEST angled in and stalked a bit off the rail, bid outside the runner-up on the backstretch and into the second turn, stalked again leaving that turn and was outfinished. CUPID'S CLAWS saved ground stalking the pace, waited some leaving the second turn, continued along the rail and lacked the needed late kick. EROTIC chased between horses, came out four wide into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. NORTH COUNTY GUY broke a bit slowly, chased three wide, came out five wide into the stretch and did not rally. UNITED chased between horses then a bit off the rail, swung out into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. MEISTERMIND stalked between horses, came out in the stretch and weakened late. ICY STREET settled off the pace inside then just out from the rail leaving the backstretch, swung four wide into the stretch and was not a threat.