Desormeaux to have hearing with stewards Aug. 15

DEL MAR, Calif. – Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux will appear before Del Mar stewards on Aug. 15 for a hearing regarding a failed Breathalyzer test on Wednesday, the racing board announced on Friday.

Desormeaux was removed from his final two mounts Wednesday by track stewards after failing a Breathalyzer test after riding the first four races on the program. After track stewards conducted an informal hearing with Desormeaux on Thursday, the jockey was allowed to continue riding until a hearing is held.

After Thursday’s hearing, the matter was referred to California Horse Racing Board investigators, who have filed a complaint, stewards said. Desormeaux could face penalties such as a fine and/or suspension.

Desormeaux challenged the stewards’ decision to remove him from his mounts on his Twitter feed on Thursday, arguing that the failed Breathalyzer test was caused by carbonated water that he consumed. He wrote, “I just proved the Breathalyzer was tampered by the carbonated water I was drinking. It blows up the test. ICE carbonated water. Apologies?”

Desormeaux’s argument was disputed by racing board chief of law enforcement Bill Westermann in a statement released by the racing board Friday.

“Carbonation will not register as alcohol in a Breathalyzer test administered by law enforcement,” Westermann said. “The equipment we use is calibrated by California Highway Patrol and current in its certifications. The Breathalyzer measures the level of alcohol in the bloodstream.”

Desormeaux, 45, has had three instances of failed Breathalyzer tests in the last five years – at Woodbine in July 2010, Belmont Park in May 2012, and Santa Anita last year. After the Santa Anita infraction, Desormeaux was fined $1,000 and ordered to undergo counseling and be available for Breathalyzer tests for a period of 90 days, which ended last November.