Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux rode for the first time in a decade at Gulfstream Park on Friday, and made the trip worth his while when piloting Lady Cha Cha (Vino Rosso) to a victory for trainer Laura Cazares in the afternoon's featured seventh race.
“All credit to the horse. What a nice filly,” the three-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey told the Gulfstream notes team. “Thank you to Laura. I've never met her, but she put me on her horses today. I appreciate the opportunity.”
The 54-year-old rode two horses on the program as he awaits a June 7 meeting with California Horse Racing Board stewards.
“I'll make up my mind after that,” said Desormeaux. “I have a protocol that I have to go through that prevents me from competing with my peers. I'll leave it at that.”
The Louisiana native told the Gulfstream media office that should the 'situation with the CHRB go unresolved' that he would consider relocating to either Gulfstream or Colonial Downs.
Desormeaux, winner of the 2008 GI Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park aboard future dual Classic winner Big Brown (Boundary), is named on one horse on Saturday's program and another on Sunday before he returns to Southern California.
Friday's victory was the 6,171st of his career.
Kent Desormeaux takes the 7th @GulfstreamPark aboard Lady Cha Cha! Thank you to Laura Cazares and her team for the win pic.twitter.com/IcNol9kcc7
— Jose Santos Jr. (@joesantos_33) May 31, 2024
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