Desormeaux to resume riding on Del Mar opener

DEL MAR, Calif. – Troubled jockey Kent Desormeaux resumes riding on Friday at Del Mar, grateful for sobriety and welcoming the opportunity to restore his reputation as a preeminent jockey.

Desormeaux is named Friday on two horses, his first mounts since his career unraveled again early this year. In January, he was arrested in Louisiana on a charge of domestic abuse and later suspended 60 days by the California Horse Racing Board as a result of a 2021 altercation at an RV Park near Del Mar. Desormeaux has not ridden since Jan. 23.

The 52-year-old jockey, a three-time Eclipse Award winner and Hall of Fame inductee whose career has been interrupted multiple times due to misconduct, expressed humility and enthusiasm this week as he prepares for a comeback.

“I’m appreciative and thankful to be able to return,” he said, and broadly referenced his previous alcohol-related transgressions. Desormeaux, who recently completed rehab, was asked why this time will be different.

“This difference is my other previous occasions were court-ordered rehabs. This time, I did it on my own. This time, I want to be healthy. This time, I want it,” he said, with an emphasis on ‘I.’

Having served the 60-day suspension for disorderly conduct and eight days for riding infractions incurred during the 2021 Del Mar summer meet, Desormeaux is cleared to ride at Del Mar and Los Alamitos. His status for the Santa Anita winter meet is pending. Track owner 1/ST Racing banned Desormeaux from riding at 1/ST tracks following his January arrest.

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Desormeaux met last week with 1/ST officials. “They asked a lot of questions about my past, which is [reasonable],” Desormeaux said. “I’m hopeful they just wanted to see me. I am anticipating a ‘go’ from them, but I have not received that [as of Monday].”

As part of the CHRB ruling that allows him to resume riding, Desormeaux is required to be regularly evaluated by the Winners Foundation.

Susan McBrayer is the agent for Desormeaux, who has been working horses at Del Mar and Los Alamitos, in addition to gym workouts, preparing for his comeback. He said “the biggest exercise help has been the Equicizer in the jockeys’ room. It’s harder to ride than a real horse,” adding that he ‘rode’ six races Sunday on the Equicizer.

“As far as fitness, that’ll be proven this weekend. That’s not my concern, I know it’s the public’s concern. People just need to see me,” he said. “They’ll be able to attest to my physical condition. I want to make any Desormeaux fan proud to be one. I’m hopeful to go full circle and be at the top again and have a full slate opening day at Santa Anita.”

Desormeaux’s first mount Friday at Del Mar is Her Perfect Vision in race 3 for trainer Quinn Howey. He rides Perfecto Amor in race 6 for trainer Adan Farias.

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