Trip to Japan Is a Memorable One for Desormeaux

While Kent Desormeaux is eager to return to Southern California, it is not because the jockey hasn’t enjoyed his stay in Japan.

For the last couple of months, Desormeaux--a winner of more than 4,000 races in the United States by age 30--has been riding less than he’s accustomed while in Japan and enjoying it more. Racing is usually held only two days a week in the country, giving Desormeaux the opportunity to spend quality time with his wife, Sonia, and their two sons, Joshua and Jacob.

Before returning to Southern California, Desormeaux rode the weekend races in Japan, but because of the time difference, is expected to arrive at Hollywood Park in plenty of time today to take his regular position aboard Astra in the $200,000 Beverly Hills Handicap.

“It’s been excellent,” said Desormeaux in a phone interview last week. “I’ve really enjoyed my stay and my family. It’s been tremendous. Everyone has treated us very, very well.”

Desormeaux left for Japan after Santa Anita’s winter-spring meet ended April 16. He won 51 races in the Santa Anita meet, but felt he needed a change of scenery, partly because of the long periods of stress related to his younger son.

Jacob, 2, was born deaf, but a couple of operations later, things have improved significantly. He had cochlear implant surgery to help him hear and understand sounds and, according to Desormeaux and doctors, has made exceptional progress. “The last couple of years with my son have been very stressful,” Desormeaux said. “He’s learning how to speak and everybody has said he’s way ahead of schedule.

“Having this all cleared up has made a big difference. I’m freshened and eager to ride. In the 15 years I’ve been riding, I haven’t felt as rested as I do now. Hopefully, I’ll return to where I was and where I always want to be and that’s on top.”

Heading into this weekend, Desormeaux, by his own account, had won 28 races with 124 mounts. He was the leading rider at the recently concluded meet at Tokyo Race Course, one of half a dozen tracks he has ridden at in the country. Among his victories was the prestigious Japanese Oaks, a Group I race.

“I was the first foreign jockey to not only win, but ride in one of their classics,” he said, referring to the Oaks victory. “For the Group I races, there’s [Kentucky] Derby-like crowds, and every weekend there’s about 100,000 people at the track.

“You can’t even see the apron [in front of the grandstand]. People are elbow to elbow and it’s something to hear them chanting your name when you win. All week long people look forward to the races. They can’t wait for the weekend.

“The fields are always full and I’ve only ridden one sore horse since I’ve been here. They have very strict guidelines.

“That’s why racing is treated with the utmost respect. The fans have true trust and admiration for the game. The Japan Racing Assn. . . . deserves a lot of credit.”

Desormeaux, also earned himself a nickname.

A Japanese paper dubbed him the “Last Race Savior” because of his knack for winning the final race on Sundays. Savior applies to bailing out those bettors who had been losing earlier in the day.

Desormeaux will return to Japan to ride in a $1-million stakes race Tuesday, then go back to Southern California to stay Thursday.

He plans on riding sparingly the final three weeks of the Hollywood Park meet, then resume a regular schedule at Del Mar, which starts July 18.

Desormeaux will have a new agent when he returns. Tom Knust, a former racing secretary at Santa Anita and Del Mar, takes over for Tony Matos, who now represents Victor Espinoza and Gary Stevens.

“I can’t wait to get home,” Desormeaux said. “Home is where you hang your hat and I’m eager to see old friends and anxious for Del Mar.

“The Internet has been my contact. I’ve kept up on what’s going on, checking out the charts and seeing who is winning the races. I’m fresh and I’m enthusiastic. I’m going to work a lot of horses when I get back.”

Desormeaux could very easily win a stakes on his first day back. Astra, who was dominant in the Santa Barbara Handicap April 14 at Santa Anita, is expected to be the favorite in a Beverly Hills field that includes defending champion and 122-pound highweight Happyanunoit.

Owned by the Allen Paulson Living Trust and trained by Simon Bray, Astra has lost only twice in nine starts. One of those defeats came when she was fourth in the 2000 Beverly Hills, six lengths behind Happyanunoit.

Desormeaux has won two of three races aboard Astra.

Beautiful Pleasure, the champion older filly/mare of 1999, finished last as the 4-5 favorite in her first race of 2001--the $250,000 Hempstead Handicap Saturday at Belmont Park.

Beautiful Pleasure had not raced since finishing sixth in trying to repeat as a winner in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs. She had the lead for the first six furlongs under jockey Jorge Chavez but drifted badly entering the stretch and wound up more than seven lengths behind winner Critical Eye, who went off at 11-1 odds.

Critical Eye, a New York-bred ridden by Mike Luzzi, got up in the final strides to beat Jostle, the 5-2 second choice, by a neck in 1:42 for the 1 1/16 miles.

John Ward, who trains Beautiful Pleasure for owner John Oxley, indicated the 6-year-old mare will make her next start at Saratoga, which begins next month.

“She was a short horse today,” said Ward, who also saddled fifth-place finisher Darling My Darling, “It looks like she needed one.”

Hallowed Dreams made it 23 victories in 24 races, winning the $75,000 Miller Lite Stakes at Lone Star Park as the 1-5 favorite.

Hallowed Dreams, a 4-year-old Malagra filly ridden by Sylvester Carmouche, ran the five furlongs on turf in 56 seconds.

Swept Overboard, the 9-10 favorite, used a powerful rally to sweep by his five opponents and win the $75,480 Robert Kerlan Memorial Handicap by 2 1/2 lengths at Hollywood Park.

Swept Overboard, ridden by Corey Nakatani and trained by Craig Dollase, ran the 5 1/2 furlongs on turf in 1:01 2/5. King Slayer was second, and 3-1 second-choice Lake William was third.

Purchased by J. Paul Reddam for $700,000 nearly a year ago, Swept Overboard--a 4-year-old End Sweep colt--has since won two of three races. He has earned $258,182 in nine career starts.