‘Dancing With the Stars’ 2015: Jockey Victor Espinoza Out of the Running

— -- After delivering routines that were deemed highly entertaining but full of flaws, Victor Espinoza tonight became the second contestant to be voted off season 21 of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”

The Triple Crown-winning jockey’s routines since the season’s Sept. 14 premiere earned him low judges’ scores that that put him near or at the bottom of the pack, although judges Julianne Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli always commended his enthusiasm and charm.

He earned 20 out of a possible 30 points tonight for his rumba, and 16 out of a possible 30 points for his jive last night. Singer Chaka Khan, who had 15 points – the lowest score of the night – was the first contestant of the season to be voted off the show.

Elimination is determined through judges’ scores and votes from the viewing audience. The couple with the lowest combined score is the one sent home.

Based on their performances from last night, Espinoza and Gary Busey both were in jeopardy of elimination.

Espinoza smiled when he learned he would be going home. He said he had “an amazing time tonight” and adding that it was special for him because he wanted to support his pro partner, Karina Smirnoff.

All twelve competitors had to perform routines tonight that celebrated an element of their pro partners’ hometowns. At the end of the show, Tamar Braxton led with 25 points, while Gary Busey finished in last place with 15.

Eleven couples return Monday to continue the competition.
Tonight’s Top Scorer: Tamar Braxton and Val Chmerkovskiy earned 25 points – the highest score of the night -- for their funky Charleston. “You killed it … you nailed it,” Inaba said. Hough said the couple’s connection was “seamless,” while Tonioli called the routine “uplifting” and said it inspired everyone else to want to join in.

Standout Moment: Alexa PenaVega and Mark Ballas’ elegant rumba – which honored Ballas’ ballroom dance champion mother, Shirley Ballas, earned the dancing pair cheers and applause. Mark Ballas said the dance was special to him because it featured his mother’s signature move. Watching from the audience, Shirley Ballas smiled and applauded the routine.
Below are the judges’ scores.
Tonight’s Scores
Tamar Braxton and Val Chmerkovskiy: 25
Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess: 24
Hayes Grier and Emma Slater: 23
Andy Grammer and Allison Holker: 23
Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough: 23
Alexa PenaVega and Mark Ballas: 22
Alek Skarlatos and Lindsay Arnold: 22
Carlos PenaVega and Witney Carson: 21
Victor Espinoza and Karina Smirnoff: 20 (They were eliminated.)
Paula Deen and Louis Van Amstel: 18
Kim Zolciak-Biermann and Tony Dovolani: 18
Gary Busey and Anna Trebunskaya: 15