Espinoza Wins Jockey ESPY

At the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles Wednesday night, Victor Espinoza was chosen as the top jockey. The other finalists were past winners Jerry Bailey and Gary Stevens.

Espinoza, 29, is the regular rider of War Emblem and was aboard the colt this year when he won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Through July 7, Espinoza, who is based in Southern California, ranked as the fourth leading jockey by earnings, with $7.3 million.

Past ESPY jockey winners are Kent Desormeaux (2001), Chris Antley ('00), Desormeaux ('99), Stevens ('98), Bailey ('97 and '96), Chris McCarron ('95), and Mike Smith ('94).

The ESPY's annually recognizes the top athletes. Golfer Tiger Wood was named the overall Best Male Athlete while the female winner was tennis star Venus Williams.