Espinoza was paired with professional dancer Karina Smirnoff, a Dancing with the Stars champion and decorated ballroom dancer. A source of amusement throughout the pair’s short run was their height difference. Smirnoff stood several inches taller than Espinoza who is a mere 5’2” and typically weighs between 106-108 pounds.
For their first week of competition Espinoza performed a routine that was inspired by his career as a professional jockey. The dance, while entertaining, received low scores from the panel of DWTS judges. The following week, Espinoza donned a large sombrero and danced to “La Bamba” in celebration of his hometown of Hidalgo, Mexico. The dance got the lowest scores of the week but was praised for its entertainment value.
After just three dances on the show, Victor Espinoza was eliminated. He was gracious in defeat and stated that he only wanted to have the experience of being on the show. One thing is for certain. Winning the Triple Crown has exposed Espinoza to America and his outgoing personality is making him a likable figure in the sports and entertainment world.
