Kahuna Magic appeared to be running for second in last Sunday's second race, a maiden allowance event for three-year-olds and up at six furlongs on the main track.
Brutto, the 1-2 favorite, had a clear lead passing the eighth pole and seemed on his way to victory.
But here came Kahuna Magic, fourth entering the stretch, with Kent Desormeaux riding like he was pursuing his fourth Kentucky Derby triumph, even though he was next to last in a field of five at the half-mile marker, and, at 13-1, aboard the second-longest shot in the race.
Desormeaux would have none of it, ultimately winning by a neck in a three-horse photo finish. As the Equibase chart notes, “Kahuna Magic drew alongside Brutto with a sixteenth remaining and overhauled that rival for the score.”
It was the 17th of 18 victories this meet for Desormeaux, who has overcome life-changing familial issues and substance abuse challenges that required rehabilitation to resurrect a Hall of Fame career which had ebbed to near-nothingness.
“I'm very happy to work for him again,” said veteran agent Tony Matos, who represented the Louisiana native two decades ago when Desormeaux won the Kentucky Derby twice, with Real Quiet in 1998 and Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000.
Desormeaux would go on to win a third Run for the Roses on Big Brown in 2008, when Matos did not have his book.
“Kent's riding as good as ever, maybe better,” said Matos, who also handles business for Edwin Maldonado.
“It's definitely nice to have clarity and the support of horsemen on the backside,” Desormeaux said. “Tony has the respect of several clients who have given me their trust, so it's working out.
“It's nice to be the talk of the town again.”
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