When a jockey wins two races in a single afternoon, he’s loved a profitable day. Three wins signifies a banner afternoon and 4 is certain to generate buzz amongst racing followers and horseplayers.
However how about seven wins in a single day? Solely on the rarest of events will a jockey embark on such a memorable win streak. Throughout the first 69 years of racing at Del Mar in California, no jockey managed to win greater than six races on a single card.
Then on Sept. 4, 2006, Victor Espinoza gained seven.
It was Labor Day, the penultimate day of the annual summer season meet, and Espinoza was placing the ending touches on a wildly profitable meet. The star jockey had dominated Del Mar for weeks, and by the point the meet concluded he would depend 64 victories to his credit score, which was the best win whole by any jockey since 1993. Because the meet wound down, Bob Mieszerski succinctly summed up Espinoza’s success within the Sept. 5, 2006 version of The Los Angeles Occasions: “No person is sorrier to see the top of Del Mar than Victor Espinoza.”
Certainly, on that unforgettable Labor Day, it appeared as if Espinoza might do no fallacious.
The afternoon started in profitable, however not significantly outstanding style for the longer term jockey of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and fan favourite California Chrome. Assigned to experience overwhelming favourite Spot the Diplomat within the I’m Smokin Stakes, Espinoza guided the gelding to a 2 ¾-length victory at odds of 1-10.
Half an hour later, Espinoza rode 4-5 favourite Particular Rule to a straightforward victory in a maiden claiming race, main all the way in which to prevail by 5 lengths. Then within the Windy Sands Handicap, Espinoza needed to work somewhat tougher aboard Preachinatthebar, however coaxed the two.40-1 second option to battle dwelling 1 ¼ lengths in entrance.
Three races, three rides, three winners. Espinoza was off to a pointy begin, and he stored the momentum going aboard Dream’s within the fourth race, guiding the three.20-1 shot out of tight quarters to rally and win an allowance non-compulsory claiming race by 1 ¼ lengths.
A maiden particular weight for California-breds was subsequent on the cardboard, and Espinoza – driving his wave of success – deftly guided 9-5 second alternative Swiss Ski by way of visitors to romp dwelling by 3 ½ lengths. Splitting horses? Inside rally? No downside. Espinoza and Swiss Ski wove by way of visitors like a slalom skier maneuvering between poles.
Midway by way of the 10-race card, Espinoza had gained each race and a record-breaking day loomed on the horizon. Historical past was in attain and Espinoza by no means needed to break a sweat whereas securing his sixth victory, which got here courtesy of 8-5 favourite Malt Magic in a maiden particular weight race. The two-year-old colt led all the way in which to win by 9 ½ lengths, with Espinoza easing him throughout the end line.
The wonderful streak got here to a brief halt when Espinoza’s mount Tuff Muffin fell a half-length in need of victory within the seventh race to complete third, however this defeated was adopted by the function race of the day – the $250,000 Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante Stakes, during which Espinoza had the mount on 8-5 favourite Level Ashley, a promising filly conditioned by Bob Baffert.
Espinoza and Baffert had famously teamed as much as win the 2002 Kentucky Derby with Warfare Emblem, a historic victory little doubt, however they have been poised to make historical past of a distinct sort at Del Mar. When the beginning gates opened, Espinoza reserved Level Ashley in third place, 5 to 6 lengths behind blazing quarter-mile fractions of :21.25 and :44.17.
Espinoza then requested his filly to advance, and within the blink of an eye fixed, seven victories in a single day transitioned from dream to actuality. With a decisive burst of pace, Level Ashley rolled previous the leaders and cruised to an unchallenged 2 ½-length triumph.
For the primary time, a jockey had gained seven races in sooner or later at Del Mar.
“Unbelievable, unbelievable,” marveled Espinoza within the Sept. 5, 2006 version of Owensboro, Ky. Messenger-Inquirer: “Right now is a day I gained’t ever neglect.”
Based on Espinoza, it was a day on par with successful the Kentucky Derby.
“After I began driving, I stated I wished to win the Kentucky Derby and do one thing like this – win a complete bunch of races at a observe in sooner or later,” Espinoza continued. “To do it at Del Mar – and in a race like this – that is very, very particular. The individuals behind me – my agent, the horsemen who give me such nice horses and the followers right here – all make this particular.”
Within the years following Espinoza’s wonderful, seven-win Labor Day, his Del Mar document has been equaled (by Drayden Van Dyke in 2018) however by no means exceeded. It’s a streak of success that may ceaselessly stand the take a look at of time.
** This text was initially printed in 2019 and has been up to date **
