Triple Crown jockey winner Victor Espinoza could not dance himself into the hearts of America, and crashed out of the gate on “Dancing with the Stars.”
The Mexican jockey and partner Karina Smirnoff were the second pair eliminated on this season of the hit dancing show after receiving the lowest number of votes following Monday night’s episode. They fell into the bottom two with actor Gary Busey and partner Anna Trebunskaya.
Espinoza’s elimination came just as he seemed to be becoming more comfortable in the competition. Moments before the elimination, he performed a rumba that delighted the judges.
“Victor, you looked like you were 10 feet tall,” judge Julianne Hough told the 5-foot-2 jockey after his performance on Tuesday. “The way you handled Karina was beautiful. Best dance you have done.”
The dance received a 20 out of 30 point – Espinoza’s best score this season.
“I had an amazing time. Tonight was special for me because I want to dance for Karina and everyone else with all my heart,” Espinoza said after his elimination, before joking. “Yesterday was a little bit off because those pants were so tight.”
On Monday night, singer Chaka Khan and her partner Keo Motsepe were the first to be eliminated.
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