SANTA ANITA : Wait Is Worth It as Desormeaux Wins No. 3,000

Although Kent Desormeaux was quicker to reach 3,000 victories than any jockey in history, it took him a bit longer than expected to crest the plateau.

To explain, Desormeaux had 2,999 victories on Thursday, then failed to win with 10 mounts while riding at Keeneland on Friday and Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.

Back on his home turf Sunday at Santa Anita, Desormeaux didn’t waste much time ending his mini-slump. After finishing fifth on Johnnys Glory in the first race, Desormeaux gained No. 3,000 with a victory on 6-1 shot Maisonsaire in the second.

For good measure, the 25-year-old jockey won two more, taking the fifth with 12-1 shot Queen Gen and leading all the way in the seventh on 9-2 shot Talent To Amuse.

“A couple of days ago, I was kind of numb to what this all would mean,” said Desormeaux, who rode his first winner at Evangeline Downs in Louisiana on July 13, 1986.

“It really feels good now that it’s hit me. With the two days of waiting, I guess I had a little time to reflect on the meaning.

“It was nice to get it at home. These are the fans who cheer you and boo you. These are the ones you want to shine in front of. It was certainly fitting to get No. 3,000 here at home.

“On a day like Easter, I can’t forget about the man upstairs. He has truly blessed me. He gave me some hands with which to communicate with these animals underneath me. So on Easter, who can go without saying, ‘Thank you, Lord.’ ”

Previously, Bill Shoemaker, Sandy Hawley and Chris McCarron were the youngest to win 3,000 races. They each did it at 27.

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Jacodra’s Devil, the 5-2 third choice in a field reduced to four after two scratches, enjoyed a sloppy track and went on to a three-length victory in the $153,550 Santa Anita Budweiser Breeders’ Cup.

Ridden by Chris Antley for trainer Dan Hendricks and owners Pam and Martin Wygod, Jacodra’s Devil covered the mile in 1:36 3/5.

Low Key Affair was second ahead of Fondly Remembered and Wende.

There were two scratches--Las Meninas and Possibly Perfect--from the race, which was originally scheduled for turf.

It was the fifth victory in 12 lifetime starts for Jacodra’s Devil and was worth $86,050, raising the career earnings of the 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Devil’s Bag to $239,127.