Tony Matos has been a jockey agent for most of his 77 years. He's been the representative for the winning riders in the Kentucky Derby on six occasions – Angel Cordero (Cannonade, 1974 and Bold Forbes, 1976), Laffit Pincay (Swale, 1984), Kent Desormeaux (Real Quiet, 1998 and Fusaichi Pegasus, 2000), and Victor Espinoza (War Emblem, 2002).
And Matos has this to say about Desormeaux, with whom he was reunited earlier this year: “He's riding just as well, maybe better, than he was when I had him and he won the two Kentucky Derbies.”
When athletes are having great success, the phrase “In the zone” is often applied. Desormeaux, 51, has won eight races in five days the most recent being the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby. He's “In the old zone” – in terms of age and with the same skill he displayed decades earlier en route to the Hall of Fame.
“Even though he's 51, he works out and keeps himself fit,” Matos said. “When I took him back (from a suspension incurred here last year), I could see that his attitude was good and he's just kept getting better.”
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