Desormeaux Brothers Ready for Belmont Stakes

By: Claudia L. Ruiz

Saturday’s 148th running of the Belmont Stakes features a field of thirteen horses all looking to take on Preakness Stakes winner Exaggerator. Of the thirteen, two (Exaggerator and Lani) have started in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, seven have run in either the first or second leg of the Triple Crown, and four – two of which come off maiden wins two weeks prior — will make their first Triple Crown race start on Saturday evening.

The 9-5 morning line favorite, Exaggerator is set to break from post #11 and will have regular jockey Kent Desormeaux in the irons. Desormeaux is familiar with the 1 ½ mile race. In 2009, the Louisiana born jock piloted Summer Bird to a 2 ¾ length victory after the colt finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby with Chris Rosier. In addition, Desormeaux rode Real Quiet (’98) and Medaglia d’Oro (’02) to second place finishes, Free House (’97) to third, and finished third last year aboard Keen Ice.

“The most important part about Belmont is that the horse and rider need to be cognizant of where they are on the racetrack,” explained the jockey. “Most horses will go into the far turn and think it’s time to quicken. Not here. You still have a mile and a half left to go. And then when you think you have to go again, you have to wait some more.”

Inducted into racing’s Hall of Fame in 2004, Desormeaux is a world class rider with decades of experience notched into his belt. One of his best qualities is his ability to think on his toes and adjust to the unforeseen. It’s exactly why he finished a close second to Nyquist in the Kentucky Derby and how he won the Preakness three weeks back.

“The most impressive part of that whole race was Kent’s ride,” trainer Keith Desormeaux said of his brother’s Preakness Stakes performance. “The way he angled him onto the rail at the start while everyone was in the middle of the track, it kept the dirt from hitting [Exaggertor] for that first half mile. Then, coming around that turn he just picked up the pace and took off.”

The Preakness gave Keith his first Triple Crown race win and he’ll look to add a second win to his resume with Exaggerator, whom he says is kind of like a little kid. The trainer also says that out of all of the horses in his barn, his relationship with Exaggerator is one of the best. “He never gives you a break. If he’s not biting on the shank, he’s biting on your arm or rearing up from a small bird flying up in his face. He’s just always looking to do something, kind of like a playful little kid.”

With a lot on the line, it’s a good thing the Desormeaux brothers are coming into the big race on a good note.

Last week it was announced that Kent had been admitted into an alcohol rehabilitation program at Cirque Lodge in Sundance, Utah, and would remain there until June 9th. Now out, the jockey is looking ahead to better days.

“I have been an alcoholic for 35 years,” he admitted. “After the requests from my family, especially my wife and my brother, I thought it was time [to take control of the situation]. A little too much partying after the Preakness… I didn’t even remember celebrating that Sunday night. I just thought, why have all this success and not remember it.”

Onward and upward. Kent Desormeaux arrived to Belmont Park on June 9th refreshed and in good spirits.

“If [Exaggerator] bounces out of the gate like he always does and I’m able to gear him down and into his maximum cruising speed… I don’t want to say he’s going to win, but I’m hopeful and I think he can. I think he can gallop these horses into the ground.”