Desormeaux takes off Friday mounts

Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux was off his mounts at Santa Anita on Friday, according to track stewards.

They declined to elaborate on a reason for the absence.

Desormeaux was booked to ride three of the eight races. He is booked on one mount for Saturday and two on Sunday’s program.

In a text message on Friday afternoon, Desormeaux said he was “under the weather” and that he planned to be at Santa Anita on Saturday morning to work horses. He is scheduled to work Dazzlemesilver for his brother, trainer Keith Desormeaux. Dazzlemesilver is under consideration for the Grade 1 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby on April 8.

Desormeaux is in the midst of a successful comeback after missing most of 2022 because of substance abuse problems, an issue that has plagued his career at times in recent decades. He won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on Stilleto Boy on March 4, the most prestigious of 15 victories this year.

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Desormeaux, 53, began riding in 1986. Through Thursday, he was tied for 11th in the standings at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting with 13 wins.

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