Jockey Victor Espinoza rides War Emblem, right, to victory in the 127th Preakness. (AP Photo/Al Behrman) | ZOOM |

        BALTIMORE — It's as though Bob Baffert gave Victor Espinoza the keys to a $900,000 car and said, “Have some fun.”

        Espinoza performed magnificently aboard War Emblem on Saturday, hanging near the lead before charging to the finish line to win the Preakness Stakes and stay on course for the Triple Crown.

        “Victor was completely on his own today,” said Baffert, beaming with pride after the jockey's performance. “I told him he's a great horse, just keep him out of trouble.”

        Espinoza did just that.

        In the Kentucky Derby, the Mexican took War Emblem to a wire-to-wire victory. In the Preakness, he adopted a different approach after Menacing Dennis roared in front out of the starting gate.

        “When the other horse took the lead, (War Emblem) just got really aggressive,” Espinoza said. “He wanted nobody to take his position. He wanted to be in control of everybody else.”

        That's what ultimately happened, and now War Emblem is headed to Belmont looking to become the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont.

        That's precisely what Prince Ahmed Salman had in mind when he plunked down nearly $1 million for War Emblem and turned the colt over to Baffert, one of the sport's most prominent trainers.

        “I think this is one of the best investments I ever made in my life, besides buying oil in Arabia,” Salman said.

        He has been having the time of his life, too.

        “I enjoy racing in America. I lived here 10 years and went to school here,” he said.

        He made millions in the oil business, but he never before attracted the attention he's getting now.

        “A lot of people have been asking me for autographs; I think I'm a little more popular than President Bush,” he said.

        Espinoza, Baffert's choice to ride War Emblem, did little more than hop aboard for a quick ride at the Kentucky Derby. But Saturday's showing required strategy, patience and guile.

        “The ride was awesome. The kid is becoming very poised,” Baffert said. “Victor has this horse figured out. He's having fun. But now the pressure is on for the Belmont. There will be more shooters, more rabbits.”

        There is no indication that Espinoza won't be able to handle the competition. After all, he's done it twice in a row.

        “He's always professional. He was the best in the field and will always be the best,” Espinoza said. “Obviously, we get along good together.”

        Espinoza was warned beforehand that the rest of the field wouldn't let him get away with another run-and-hide race. He was prepared for whatever the other jockeys threw at him, and handled it without difficulty.

        “Everybody else talked before the race, and I heard a lot of conversations about what they were going to do,” he said. “I wasn't worried about that, and I just stayed focused on my horse.”

        Good idea.

        Now it's on to New York, where Espinoza has a chance to ride into history.

        “I'm only enjoying myself right now. I don't worry about that Triple Crown,” he said. “It's going to be Bob's job. Right now I just want to relax, enjoy and get ready for the next one.”

        Salman is looking forward to the next one, too, although he might experience a few anxious moments as post time nears.

        “I hate horse business five minutes before the race. But I love it afterwards,” he said.

        Espinoza has a hunch that June 8 is going to be a good day for Salman, Baffert, himself and, of course, War Emblem.

        “Each race,” Espinoza said, “he's getting better and better.”

Sports Stories

Ashland ends NKU's bid 6-2 Buckeyes split with Gophers Former Navy great ponders past choices NKU women show in NCAA golf Ohio State to play Marshall in 2004 Two roundabout roads to success Cauthen hopes War Emblem wins Triple Crown Espinoza enjoys a smooth ride Preakness notebook Take the heat and keep going War Emblem wins Preakness Indy hopefuls want smooth road on Bump Day McWilliams family tree rooted in racing Newman cashes in at The Winston Price leads Colonial by 5 Serena meets Henin in Italian Open final World Cup lookin' up A peek inside the NBA draft lottery K-Mart will try to slow down Celtics' Pierce Lakers 106, Kings 99 McCarty's hat trick leads Wings past Avs NHL notes column Quinn hopes Leafs aren't too relaxed The Cup runneth all over the place Coming up this week Enquirer Page Two power rankings

Reds 7, Cards 3
Reds box, runs
Reds' final game tickets sell out in under an hour
Reds Q&A with John Fay
Say it ain't so
Armed for the long haul
Handicapping the NL Central race
Cinergy Countdown No. 27: Aug. 17, 2001
Clutch double ends Clark's 2-for-26 skid
Down on the farms
Pineda heats up in bullpen
Reds chatter
The week ahead
Durazo's big night shatters team records
Legislature approves Twins stadium bill
Prior's debut Wednesday at Wrigley Field
Selig says Brewers' bad season not hurting his crusade
John Fay's MLB Power Rankings
Louisville 4, Ottawa 1
NL roundup
AL roundup
Notes from Saturday's games
Bengals Q&A with Mark Curnutte
Football Hall is honored
Titans looking Freakier
DAUGHERTY: Kelly loved, and in turn, receives love
Taft baseball alive with Webb at reins
Fehr riddles Elder - again
Spring sparks Lebanon's rally over Oak Hills
Preps schedule
Saturday's results