Racing! Kent Desormeaux gets his 6,000th win

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we learn Victor Espinoza is cleared to ride.

We’ll start by congratulating Kent Desormeaux on winning his 6,000^th race on Sunday. The 48-year-old Hall of Famer has had a great, but at times difficult, career. His win on Sunday came aboard X S Gold in the first race, a mile on the turf. You can never discount him on the turf. He came flying at the end to win by a generous head.

He joins 18 other jockeys who have won 6,000 or more races. Russell Baze is the all-time leading jockey with 12,842 wins, a record likely never to be topped.

“I can humbly say that I’m truly honored and proud of the number 6,000,” Desormeaux told Mike Willman of Santa Anita. “I can definitely attest that it wasn’t easy to get here, especially these last two months. … I also know that I am truly appreciative to everyone who gave me the confidence to take the reins and to assist each and every one of the horsemen I’ve worked for.

Desormeaux is very proud of his Louisiana roots and is now shooting for another Cagun legend.

“I still have goals,” Desormeaux said. “I can’t wait to wake up every day and try to catch Eddie D. (Delahoussaye, who ranks 15^th all-time with 6,383 wins). I’m a very goal-oriented person, so I know that I have about 380 more wins to go and I’m not going anywhere until then. Hopefully, in that same time, I can claim two more Kentucky Derby wins to be able to tie the great Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack with five wins each.”

Victor Espinoza update

It was touch and go after Victor Espinoza got back on a horse almost a month ago as there seemed to be some conflicting opinions from doctors on when he should proceed with riding. Well, he got a third opinion and things are looking good.

Ed Golden of Santa Anita sleuthed out the story on Sunday morning after Espinoza worked a horse for trainer Carla Gaines on Saturday. It was a big indicator he was cleared to ride.

“Everything is good,” Espinoza told Golden. “You see different doctors and they have different opinions, but at the end of the day, I probably feel stronger than before. Doctors said I could go back to riding and see how I feel, and if I feel good, I’m good to go.

“I’ve been given the green light to ride and now it will be up to me when I’m fit and ready, but I’m pretty much ready right now.”

So, very good to hear.

Stewards’ rulings

Things have been so busy lately with things going on in horse racing that we’ve fallen behind on steward’s rulings. So, let’s get to it and start to dig out the penalties that the Santa Anita adjudicators have done recently.

--Trainer Javier Sierra was fined $200 for improperly shoeing War Moccasin in the fourth race on Jan. 10. Horseshoe inspector Victor Tovar caught the mistake and “ground down” the toe grabs so it would be proper for a turf race. War Moccasin finished third.

--Jockey Ruben Fuentes was fined $300 for striking Gran Martillo on the nose with his riding crop in the stretch in the fifth race on Jan. 10. The action came as Fuentes was also called in to discuss his ride on Gran Martillo for lugging in and causing He’s Zippin By to steady on the rail. The stewards came to the conclusion the lugging in was the horse’s fault and no penalty was issued. Gran Martillo finished sixth.

--Exercise rider Adan Fuentes was fined $50 after admitting that on Jan. 8 he jogged a horse in front of the starting gate after being told not to by the morning outrider.

--Jockey Drayden Van Dyke dropped his appeal of a three-day suspension from Sept. 29 and served it on Jan. 19, 20 and 21. Van Dyke was aboard Captivate, who won the race, but was disqualified to second for what the stewards called “careless riding.” The original dates of the suspension were Oct. 6-8. As always, he was allowed to ride in designated races.

--Trainer Michael McCarthy was fined $100 for failure to show up and saddle Noble Contessa in the third race on Jan. 11. McCarthy said he wasn’t there because he couldn’t get his car to shut off in the parking lot. Noble Contessa finished fourth in the five-horse race.

--Jockey Edgar Payeras was fined $300 for continuing to use his riding crop on Derby Treasure in the first race on Jan. 11 after the horse was clearly in last place with no chance of advancing. Payeras admitted his actions were unwarranted. In the stretch, Derby Treasure took a bad step, fell and was euthanized.

--Jockey Martin Pedroza was fined $300 for striking Carville with his riding crop during the warmup period before the fifth race on Jan. 12. Pedroza pled guilty to the infraction. Carville finished fifth. The stewards were in a mirthful mood in their minutes, saying, “… plead guilty to the violation memorialized in the ruling below.”

Santa Anita review

Conquest Tsunami broke on top and was never headed in winning the $70,000 Clockers’ Corner Stakes for older horses going 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course. It was the 7-year-old gelding’s ninth win in 30 lifetime starts.

He paid $4.80, $3.40 and $2.80 for trainer Peter Miller and jockey Van Dyke. Cistron was second and Eddie Haskell was third. (And don’t you look nice Mrs. Cleaver.)

“[Sunday] I was able to get an easy lead, well not necessarily easy, but when he’s able to be alone he relaxes better, puts his ears up, and then he kicks on better,” said Van Dyke, who was riding the horse for the first time. “So, I followed instructions and it worked out pretty well.”

Big races review

A look at graded stakes or races worth more $100,000 or more on Sunday.

Aqueduct (8): $100,000 Ruthless Stakes, fillies 3-years-old, 7 furlongs. Winner: Ujjayi ($13.00)

Sunland Park (9): $100,000 Riley Allison Derby, 3-year-olds, 1 mile. Winner: Nitrous ($3.20)

Sam Houston (8): Grade 3 $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup Stakes, 4 and up, 1 ½ miles on turf. Winner: Bigger Picture ($3.40)

Sam Houston (9): Grade 3 $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes, fillies and mares 4 and up, 1 1/16 miles. Winner: Midnight Bisou ($2.40)

Final thought

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Now, here is the star of the show, Sunday’s results. See you on Thursday.

X S GOLD angled in and chased between horses, steadied in tight off heels midway on the second turn, came out in the stretch and rallied under urging to get up in the final stride and give Desormeaux 6000 career victories. MADAKET SUNSET had speed outside a rival then angled in and set the pace inside, dueled along the rail on the backstretch, inched away on the second turn, kicked clear and held on well but was caught in the final strides. DON'T BLAME JUDY saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch and edged a rival for third. GONE TO TOWN chased along the inside, cut the corner into the stretch, continued inside and was edged for the show. TIG TOG (IRE) broke a bit slowly, angled in early then went outside a rival on the backstretch ,found the inside into and on the second turn, came out a bit in the drive and had a mild late bid. MIRTH stalked between horses, came out three deep into the stretch and could not offer the necessary late kick. SUPER PATRIOT angled in and settled inside, came out into the second turn and six wide into the stretch and was outfinished. MYBLUEBELL (FR) chased three deep, came out leaving the second turn and five wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. CATOCA stalked three deep, waited off heels into the stretch, drifted inward in the drive and weakened. MONGOLIAN WINDOW between foes early, stalked a bit off the rail, bid outside the runner-up on the backstretch and into the second turn, stalked outside a rival leaving that turn, came out four wide into the stretch and also weakened.

TIZANILLUSION stalked off the rail, bid three deep between foes into the stretch to gain the lead and drew clear under a couple cracks with the whip turned down and steady handling. POWDER hopped in the air in a bit of a slow start, chased off the inside, bid four wide into the stretch, angled inward in midstretch and bested the others. BABY ICE had good early speed and dueled inside, fought back into the stretch and held third. KENTAN ROAD dueled outside a rival then between foes into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. COPY BEGONE chased off the rail, angled in on the turn, came out into the stretch and lacked a further response.

TIZ A MASTER had good early speed and dueled three deep, took a short lead into the stretch, inched away under left handed urging, drifted in late and held on gamely. TIME FOR SUZZIE saved ground stalking the pace, came out leaving the turn and three deep into the stretch and finished well. LA AGUILILLA a step slow to begin, dropped back inside without early speed, came out on the turn and four wide into the stretch, drifted in late and edged a rival for the show. MUCHO UNUSUAL dueled between horses, fought back on the turn and into the stretch, drifted in a bit late and was edged for third. ALL TEA ALL SHADE chased off the rail, angled in a bit on the turn and lacked the needed rally. HOTITUDE went up inside rivals but a bit off the rail to duel for the lead, angled in and battled along the fence on the turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong.

ARMS RUNNER stalked outside a rival then off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and rallied under urging to get up nearing the wire. BLACKOUT (FR) sped to the early lead, angled in and set the pace inside, kicked away in the stretch and held on well but was caught late. MAJESTIC EAGLE pulled his way between horses to chase the pace, continued outside a rival leaving the hill and into the stretch and held third. ERIC THE TROJAN stalked three deep then dropped back off the rail, angled in leaving the hill, came out in upper stretch and was outfinished for the show. LITTLE JUANITO close up stalking the pace a bit off the rail, was outside a rival into the stretch and lacked a rally. TEQUILA JOE saved ground stalking the pace, continued inside into and through the stretch and lacked the necessary response in the drive. Rail on hill at 7 feet.

NICE WORK sped to the early lead then tugged on a clear advantage, set the pace a bit off the rail and drew away under a couple cracks with the whip turned down, drifted in and was under a long hold late. GRAN MARTILLO stalked between horses then outside a rival on the turn and a bit off the rail into the stretch and was clearly second best. DRINK broke out and bumped a rival, stalked a bit off the rail then inside on the turn and in the stretch and bested the others. POPCORN FOR EDDIE stalked three deep then off the rail on the turn, angled in outside a rival into the stretch and weakened. CRAIG'S bumped at the start, settled inside, came off the rail into and on the turn, angled inward in upper stretch and did not rally. MR WONDERFUL also bumped at the start, saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and weakened.

TAKE A LEAP pulled three deep into the first turn, chased outside a rival or between horses, went up four wide then three deep on the second turn, bid outside the pacesetter leaving that turn, took the lead into the stretch, inched away under urging, drifted in and out a bit from the whip in deep stretch and held gamely. ATINA (ARG) stalked outside a rival or a bit off the rail, split horses on the second turn, came out four wide into the stretch and gained the place. KITTY BOO (GB) in a good position stalking the pace inside, came out some in upper stretch, was in a bit close off the heels of the winner in deep stretch and was edged for second. BUNNY YOGURT chased inside then a bit off the rail, came out three deep into the stretch and was outfinished. GREATER GLORY pulled between horses and steadied into the first turn, chased outside a rival then three deep on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. CHATTY sped to the early lead, inched away on the first turn, set the pace inside, dueled along the rail leaving the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. CONFORMATION between foes early, saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and did not rally. STELLA MALONE drifted out into the first turn, stalked three deep to the stretch and weakened. DON'T PASS had speed between horses then stalked between foes and also weakened in the drive. CHALKY (IRE) went four wide then five wide on the first turn, chased three deep, dropped back and angled in on the second turn and gave way. WINSINFASHION four wide into the first turn, settled outside then off the rail, dropped back and angled into and on the second turn, gave way and was eased in the stretch.

DON'T STALK ME chased between horses then off the rail, split rivals on the turn, continued outside a foe into the stretch, waited off heels in midstretch then angled in and got up late under urging. TREASURE HUNTER stalked inside then bid along the rail on the turn to duel for the lead, took a short advantage, fought back inside then a bit off the rail in deep stretch and was edged late. HONEYMOONZ OVER stalked outside then bid three deep on the turn and into the stretch and held third. J T'S A. T. M. had speed between foes then inched away briefly midway on the backstretch, battled between rivals on the turn and outside a foe in the stretch and was edged for the show. JOE JACKSON chased three deep, dropped back off the rail on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and lacked a further response. MY HEART AWAKENS stalked a bit off the rail then inside into and on the turn and into the stretch and weakened. BIG SHANTY came off the rail early, chased outside, went three deep on the turn, angled in nearing the stretch and had little left for the drive.

CONQUEST TSUNAMI sped to the early lead, set the pace a bit off the rail, kicked away in the stretch, drifted in and won clear under urging and steady handling. CISTRON saved ground stalking the pace throughout and held second. EDDIE HASKELL between horses early, stalked outside the runner-up down the hill and in the stretch and bested the others. SECRETARY AT WAR chased a bit off the rail then inside, came out a bit in the stretch and lacked a rally. BLENDED CITIZEN settled outside a rival then off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. PUBILIUS SYRUS chased outside then alongside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and did not rally. HUNT (IRE) settled a bit off the rail chasing the pace, came out in upper stretch and could not summon the needed late kick. CALCULATOR had speed three deep then stalked off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and weakened. REGAL BORN saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and also weakened. Rail on hill at 7 feet.

HERUNBRIDLEDPOWER pressed the pace three deep then dueled outside a rival on the turn, took the lead leaving the turn, inched away under urging in the stretch and won clear. DURANGA chased off the rail then outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and gained the place late outside foes. CONQUEST FLATTERME had speed outside then stalked outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch and was edged for second between foes late. ESKENFORADRINK had speed to duel between horses then inside on the turn and was edged late for the show. SHE BEGAN AGAIN broke a bit slowly, settled inside then just off the rail, split horses on the turn and improved position. TODOS SANTOS broke slowly, settled outside then off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. LUCKY STUDENT went up inside to press the pace, stalked leaving the turn, came out a bit into the stretch and weakened. BROOKES ALL MINE bobbled at the start, settled outside then angled in a bit off the fence, came out three wide into the stretch and lacked the necessary response. MAGICALCHIC angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, continued inside on the turn and into the stretch and weakened. DANCING SUNSET stalked between horses then a bit off the rail, went around a rival into the stretch and gave way.

MESUT saved ground chasing the pace, moved up inside in the stretch, came out in deep stretch and split rivals late to get up. WHAT'SONTHEAGENDA had good early speed and dueled inside, inched away on the hill, kicked clear, came out into the stretch and was caught late. NORTH COUNTY GUY stalked three deep then angled in some midway on the hill, continued outside a rival into the stretch and held third. JUNGLE WARFARE between horses early, angled in and stalked inside, steadied in a bit tight midway on the hill, continued a bit off the rail in the stretch and lacked the needed late kick. SHADOW SPHINX chased off the rail then a bit off the fence to the stretch and improved position. COLOSI settled outside then chased outside a rival, came out into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. EROTIC settled a bit off the rail then inside, came out into the stretch and also lacked the needed late kick. PLACIDO stalked outside, came in a bit on the hill, entered the stretch four wide then drifted in and weakened. PADDOCK PICK between horses early, stalked outside a rival, took up when crowded midway on the hill, came three wide into the stretch and did not rally. GEORGIE HYPHEN (IRE) a bit slow into stride, settled just off the rail, came three wide into the stretch and was not a threat. MONTMARTRE dueled outside a rival then stalked leaving the hill, came out into the stretch and weakened. The stewards conducted an inquiry into the incident midway on the hill but made no change when they ruled the videotape was inconclusive as to who was the cause of the trouble. Rail on hill at 7 feet.