'The Luckiest Mexican on Earth' Wins Kentucky Derby Chris Tognotti - Bustle
go to original May 3, 2015

American Pharoah wins the 141st Kentucky Derby 2015 (Sports Entertainment Network)

Well, the 2015 Kentucky Derby is in the books. And as it turns out, the winning jockey in the 141st iteration of the big race is the same guy who took home top honors in the 140th — Victor Espinoza, jockey for Kentucky Derby winner American Pharoah. So, who is Victor Espinoza?

It does seem like a good time to get to know the guy. After all, he could be working on a third consecutive win come this time next year. In other words, he’s near Kentucky Derby royalty. For starters, it’s worth placing him into historical context. With Kentucky Derby victories not just in 2015 and 2014, but in 2002 as well, Espinoza is in an extremely elite club.

By narrowly beating out legendary jockey Gary Stevens and his horse Firing Line on Saturday (Stevens is himself a three-time Derby winner), Espinoza became just the tenth rider ever to have won the big event three times. And he did it in consecutive years, a feat that’s only happened five times since the race’s inception back in 1875. Simply put, he’s leapt into seriously rarified air, and at just 43, he figures to have a decent run still ahead of him. He also clearly keeps his heritage close to his heart, as demonstrated by his post-race interview — he said that he felt ”like the luckiest Mexican on Earth.”

Read the rest at Bustle

Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images

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