Top jock: Victor Espinoza proves that to be a successful rider in thoroughbred racing, you've gotta have legs

Men's Fitness, June-July, 2004 by David Scott

In high-stakes horse racing, the horse is only as strong as his jockey. "I never want to have a race where they say I was too tired at the end. If you don't have legs, you don't have anything," says jockey Victor Espinoza, who, with over $30 million in winnings since 2001, is one of the sport's most successful riders ever.

Espinoza lifts at least five days a week at Evolution Fitness, a gym he co-owns in Pasadena, Calif., working every muscle in his body but focusing on his legs. He displayed strength by riding War Emblem to wins in the 2002 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Although War Emblem fell shy in the Belmont Stakes--for what would have been only the 12th Triple Crown ever--Espinozas weight training put him in a great position to take it. "I could just taste it," he says.

Espinoza's personal trainer, Brandon Lange, focuses on balance, stability, and coordination. Most of Espinoza's exercises involve plyometrics, explosive motions to train your muscles to use their own elasticity, like push-ups with a clap in between. "Vic works more with free weights and stability balls. He is, pound for pound, one of the strongest people I've ever worked with" says Lange.

For Espinoza, it's all worth it to be on top. "The Triple Crown is the most exciting time of the year. It's what I work for all year"