Saratoga Notebook, Presented by NYRA Bets: Espinoza Making Saratoga His Summer Home for First Time

[Wandering Eyes]

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Before this year, the last time Victor Espinoza rode at Saratoga was the summer of 2015, the year of American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile).

“That was not a great memory,” Espinoza said, recalling when the Triple Crown winner was upset in the Travers by Keen Ice (Curlin).

The 53-year-old Hall of Fame jockey is hoping to make a better impression 10 years later as he is spending the summer at the Spa for the first ever. Espinoza, who owns 3,520 career victories, has been working the Saratoga backstretch daily, looking for a professional rejuvenation.

He has spent the majority of his jockey life riding in California, but recently decided to take some time off. After a three-month respite, it was time to go back to work and also have a change of scenery.

About three weeks ago, he was visiting Saratoga and liked what he saw.

“When I was here, I saw many trainers and so many horses,” Espinoza said on the Saratoga backstretch. “I have never seen so many horses. I think I will have more opportunities here than I would in California.”

Things out west had pretty much dried up for Espinoza, who had ridden two horses–California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) in 2014 and War Emblem (Our Emblem) in 2002–to victories in the first two legs of the Triple Crown only to lose in the GI Belmont Stakes.

In 35 mounts this year, he had three wins, four seconds and six thirds. It was time for a move.

“I still have the fire, 100 percent,” Espinoza said. “When I came here, it was like heaven. I feel like I can get more opportunities. In California, there are like three or four trainers that dominate the circuit and if you don't ride for them, what's the point in staying?”

Espinoza's agent here is Jose Santos Jr., the son of Hall of Fame jockey Jose Santos. Santos Jr. picked up Espinoza after the first Saratoga condition book was out, so it has been hard to get business. He expects that will pick up as the meet goes on.

“What we are focusing on is finding some quality,” Santos Jr. said. “Showing up as late as we did, well, people have been coming up here to start getting ready for the meet since mid-May. Starting with book two, I think things will pick up.”

Espinoza has had three mounts thus far at the meet and finished third on two of them.

“I am going to hustle every morning,” he said. “Hopefully, I can do good around here.”

Trainer Abreu Chasing First Spa Grade I With Scottish Lassie

Scottish Lassie | Sarah Andrew

There will always be a spot in trainer Jorge Abreu's heart for Scottish Lassie (McKinzie). She gave the 44-year-old trainer his first Grade I win when she won the Frizette Stakes last October.

That spot will get bigger if the 3-year-old filly can find a way to win the GI Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga on Saturday. That would be the first Grade I Saratoga win for Abreu.

“I think I am knocking on the door,” Abreu said outside his barn at the Annex across the street from the Oklahoma Training Track.

Abreu, 44, a former assistant to Chad Brown, has been training on his own since 2016. Scottish Lassie was last seen finishing third in the GI Acorn Stakes at Saratoga on June 6. She was beat just a head for second by Look Forward (Bolt d'Oro). La Cara (Street Sense) was a three-length winner in the Acorn, which was run over a sloppy track.

Scottish Lassie tuned up for the CCA Oaks Sunday, working four furlongs in 48.87 (55/143) with Hall of Fame jockey Joel Rosario on board. He will ride her for the first time on Saturday.

“She is coming into this race at 100 percent,” Abreu said. “I think she is coming into this race the same way she went into the Frizette.”

Scottish Lassie romped to a nine-length win in that race, one race after she started her career with a third-place finish in a maiden last September at Saratoga.

She was third in an allowance race before her Acorn effort. That was her first start since finishing fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies race at Del Mar in November

“I thought she was going to be second in the Acorn,” Abreu said. “She got a little tired. She was stretching out from a mile to a 1 1/8 miles with a different caliber of horses. I really think she fits with these horses. It's not like she is going to embarrass herself.”

A field of six was entered for the CCA Oaks on Sunday. Scottish Lassie drew post No. 3. The field, in post-position order with trainer: Immersive (Nyquist), Brad Cox; Sweet Seraphine (Quality Road), Cherie DeVaux; Scottish Lassie; Take Charge Milady (Take Charge Indy), Kenny McPeek; Dry Powder (Gun Runner), Chad Summers; La Cara (Street Sense), Mark Casse.

Jose Ortiz Off To Fast Start At Saratoga

Jose Ortiz enjoyed a four-win day at Saratoga | Sarah Andrew

Jockey Jose Ortiz knows how to win a riding championship at Saratoga. Here's the proof: he's done it three times.

The 31-year-old also knows how to win four races in one day at the Spa. On Saturday, he did it for the third time in his career. With the four-bagger, Ortiz took the early lead in the annual competition between the best jockey colony in the country. Going into Sunday's card, Ortiz had eight wins.

“It's not easy to win one race, let alone four,” Ortiz said on the Saratoga backstretch Sunday morning. “I have a pretty good business, and we are coming here thinking about winning the meet. We think we are good enough. It's early, but I love the start we've had.”

Ortiz is represented by agent Steve Rushing, who also works with Ortiz's brother, Irad Ortiz Jr. Irad Ortiz Jr. has won the Saratoga meet six times and is the three-time defending champion.

Jose Ortiz has already had a good year after winning the winter riding title at Fair Grounds (97 wins”) and then the spring meet at Churchill Downs (63 wins). He was the champ at Saratoga in 2016, 2017 and 2019.

“I had good momentum going from Fair Grounds to Churchill and good momentum from Churchill coming here,” he said. “I built up a nice business with the Kentucky people and I have had plenty of business here with the New York people because I have ridden here for 12 years. The combination is paying off.”

Jose Ortiz also won four races at Saratoga Aug. 15, 2016, and July 17, 2022.

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