Desormeaux Wins First Stake at Santa Anita

Kent Desormeaux hasn’t taken long to make himself at home in California.

Desormeaux, the Eclipse Award-winning jockey who won a national-record 597 races last year, has 20 victories in 120 mounts since coming to Santa Anita from the East Feb. 14.

Desormeaux, 20, earned his first stakes victory locally Wednesday aboard 16-1 shot High Hatted in the $66,100 second division of the La Habra Stakes.

High Hatted, a 3-year-old daughter of Kris S. who had been idle since Oct. 29, rallied to beat Tasteful T.V. by two lengths in 1:14 2/5 for the 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf.

High Hatted completed a double for Desormeaux, who has five winners the last two days. He is tied for 10th place in the Santa Anita standings with apprentice Corey Nakatani.

“It’s been better than I could have expected,” Desormeaux said. “I’m more than overwhelmed at the pace we’re going. If we can just stay steady, I’ll be more than satisfied and happy to make California my home.

“It’s definitely a good feeling to win that first stakes. Hopefully, it’s the first of many. I didn’t spoil myself by winning a $500,000 one right away. We’ll start at $60,000 and we’ll work and win one with six zeroes behind it some day.”

Tasteful T.V. was two and a half lengths clear of 6-5 favorite Devil’s Orchid, who finished a nose ahead of maiden Classic Ice.

In the first division of the La Habra, 7-1 outsider Somethingmerry, ridden by Laffit Pincay, wore down favored Brought To Mind and Forest Fealty in the final sixteenth to win by two lengths in 1:14.

Somethingmerry, a daughter of Somethingfabulous, figured to improve on the turf and fast early fractions (:20 4/5 and :43 1/5) also helped.

Horse Racing Notes

Kent Desormeaux’s other win Wednesday came aboard My Song For You in the third. . . . Pat Valenzuela and trainer Bill Spawr combined for three victories. They won the sixth with Itsthefax, the seventh with Kimo’s Kid and the ninth with 7-1 shot Star Paster.