Espinoza Tries to Pad Lead

After the first 11 days of the spring-summer meet at Hollywood Park, Victor Espinoza sits atop the jockey standings.

Entering today’s program, Espinoza has 13 winners, five more than runner-up David Cohen.

Trying to extend his lead, Espinoza has three mounts on today’s card and his best chance to win might come in the day’s first race.

Zappa, a 4-year-old Afternoon Deelites gelding, will be the rider’s companion in the opener, a $62,500 maiden claimer at 1 1/16 miles.

A five-time loser, Zappa will debut for active owner Bob Bone and trainer Jeff Mullins today after being claimed for $40,000 out of a runner-up finish on April 21 at Santa Anita.

Mullins wins at a high percentage first off the claim, so improvement is expected from Zappa, who will be trying two turns on dirt for the first time in his career.

Espinoza’s other mounts today are T’s Icecoldbeer, a 2-year-old Out Of Place filly making her first start in the third, and Walkonkaydeeavenue, who will try to break her maiden in the fifth, a California-bred grass race for fillies and mares.

Race of the day: No Sleep, who had a three-race win streak ended in the Next Move on March 26 at Aqueduct, will try to begin a new roll in the $65,000 Mil Kilates today at Belmont Park. Kent Desormeaux will ride the 4-year-old Robyn Dancer filly for owner Maggi Moss and trainer Gary Contessa in the one-mile race that is part of a pick six with a carry-over of more than $37,000.

One for the road: I’m Bluffing gets a confident boost in class for his Churchill Downs debut after a big win at Turfway Park and can win the ninth this afternoon. Robby Albarado will be aboard the 4-year-old Pine Bluff gelding for trainer Lawrence Hughes in the $15,000 claimer at six furlongs. I’m Bluffing beat $7,500 claimers at Turfway by nearly three lengths on March 31.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Melodious and Fletchers Cove in the second, Tuff N Lucky and La Mandonna in the third and Scarlett Memories in the fourth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 3/26. Money: (previous day/meet total): $12.40/$172.80. Total money bet: $194.