Third time proves charm for Espinoza

Any doubts were gone in an instant -- Victor Espinoza hopped on American Pharoah's back and knew his horse could win the Triple Crown.

"He was ready today," Espinoza said after the bay son of Pioneerof the Nile powered to victory in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday to become the first horse in 37 years to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont.

"I sit in the saddle, so much power, so much energy this horse he has... warming up, he was just class, all class."

It was the kind of confidence Espinoza couldn't feel last year, when he took California Chrome to the Belmont Stakes gate seeking the elusive treble, but could feel the horse lacked the energy he displayed in winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

It was the kind of confidence that was quickly dashed in 2002, when Espinoza was aboard Triple Crown contender War Emblem when he stumbled out of the Belmont gate almost to his knees.

The ebullient Espinoza, the first jockey to get a third chance at the Triple Crown, said all week that "third time is the charm."

He had one more magic number up his sleeve -- one of 12 children brought up on a farm in central Mexico, the 43-year-old Espinoza quipped it was an omen that American Pharoah would become the 12th horse to complete the treble.
In the end, no mystical assistance was necessary.

After a brief hesitation when the gate opened, American Pharoah rocketed to the lead and never relinquished it, Espinoza coming up with a flawless ride a year after he was criticized in some quarters for his performance on California Chrome.

As he headed into the final straight, Espinoza said he was oblivious to the roar of the crowd of 90,000.

"I was so concentrated on this horse," he said. "I've been here three times. It was not easy for me. I don't even get excited.

"Turning for home (I thought) this has not happened yet."

- 'Amazing feeling' -

As Frosted narrowed the gap, Espinoza gathered the reins.

"He just took off," Espinoza said. "It's just an amazing feeling that you have when it's like 20 yards out from the wire and you're like three or four lengths in front."

Espinoza, who once drove buses in Mexico City to help finance his jockey training, offered a shout-out to exercise rider Martin Garcia.

And his victory will also be a big win for his favorite charity as he said he'd be donating all of his earnings to the City of Hope cancer treatment center in California.

He's given a portion of his earnings to the hospital for years, and said he'd part with everything he won Saturday without a qualm -- except the trophy.

"The most important thing for me is just to win this race," he said. "I benefitted two times but I felt like a loser the last two times.

"It's just amazing that I came here, that I won the Triple Crown. It's unbelievable.

"I looked at that trophy, I was excited and kind of angry because two times I couldn't get it -- until now."
Source: AFP