Hess, Desormeaux A Winning Trainer-Jockey Duo

Bob Hess Jr. and Kent Desormeaux could have been winners in another sport.

Hess had aspirations as a Major Leaguer when pitching for Stanford University in 1983-84, playing for his college team with future Major Leaguers Jack McDowell, Mike Andrete, and Ed Sprague before graduating with a degree in economics.

Louisiana native Desormeaux, 51, had visions of becoming another Pete Maravich but came up short, however not as a rider. In 1989, he won 598 races, a record that still stands.

Each went on to become established in their eventual profession, horse racing. All these years later, they remain one of racing's most successful trainer-jockey combos, having enjoyed a magical run of some 500 victories at a nearly 35 percent average.

For bettors, it's a winning formula that has evolved into Hess + Desormeaux = profit. Case in point: a classic ride by Desormeaux gave Hess another victory when Aloha Kitten purred home first by a half-length despite stumbling badly at the start in Friday's opening race at an $11.80 payoff at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. It was the first start in more than five months for the daughter of Kitten's Joy.

The latest stakes win came with Cairo Memories in last Sunday's $200,000 Surfer Girl Stakes for two-year-old fillies at a mile on turf. Owned by long-time client Cathy Schroeder and David Bernsen, the $50,000 bargain daughter of Cairo Prince earned $120,000 and is unbeaten in two races, one more impressive than the other.

Next up, Del Mar's $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at one mile at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., on Nov. 5.

Bob, 56, is the son of a famous trainer, and Kent, a naturally gifted Hall of Fame jockey and three-time Kentucky Derby winner, reached the apex in a racing family that includes respected multiple graded stakes-winning trainer Keith, his older brother.

Ultimately, the Bob and Kent show coalesced into one of racing's winningest jockey-trainer combos, reminiscent of yesteryear when one jockey rode exclusively for one stable.

“Other than the obvious,” Hess said, “our relationship is based on mutual trust and respect. There are plenty of top riders out here. But with Kent and I, it all starts with being honest with one another, trusting each other and respecting each other.”

It's a rock-solid foundation that more than three decades later still doesn't seem to have a pebble in its path.

The post Hess, Desormeaux A Winning Trainer-Jockey Duo appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Cairo Memories Moving Forward Toward Breeders’ Cup With Surfer Girl Triumph

A close third heading into the far turn, the Bob Hess Jr. conditioned Cairo Memories set sail for home leaving the quarter pole and was never threatened through the lane en route to a 2 ¼-length score in Sunday's $200,000 Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.  Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, the 2-year-old filly by Cairo Prince got one mile on turf in 1:34.27 and will now likely start in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on Nov. 5 at Del Mar.

“She's been doing everything right,” said Hess.  “We were encouraged by the way she broke her maiden and she's been moving forward in her training.  Hopefully, this sets us up for the Breeders' Cup dance.”

A 4 ½-length one mile maiden turf winner in her debut Sept. 5, Cairo Memories was the second choice in a field of 11 at 4-1 and paid $10.00, $4.60 and $3.00.

“She brought some new energy from her first start,” said Desormeaux.  “I think she was excited.  I spent more time in the post parade calming her down…I worked her at Del Mar and before I ever rode her I thought she was great…I was with the owners in the paddock and that was the longest wait because I wanted to see how deep the water was, and she's shown (now) that she could really swim.”

Owned by David Bernsen, LLC and Schroeder Farms, LLC, Cairo Memories, who is out of the Indian Charlie mare Incarnate Memories, picked up $120,000 for the win, hiking her earnings to $162,000.

The 3-2 favorite with Flavien Prat, Irish-bred Helens Well rallied from next to last to finish second by a neck over Hemmerle and paid $3.00 and $2.40.

Off at 12-1 with Joe Bravo, Hemmerle was out-run late to finish third by a neck over Irish-bred Sterling Crest and paid $5.40 to show.

Fractions on the race were 22.14, 45.72, 1:10 flat and 1:22.26.

The post Cairo Memories Moving Forward Toward Breeders’ Cup With Surfer Girl Triumph appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Surfer Girl Stakes Win Puts Madone On Track For Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

Next to last, about five lengths off the lead with a half mile to run, Flavien Prat stepped on the gas heading into the far turn aboard heavily favored Madone, who  kicked into gear and despite being fanned six wide turning for home, battled gamely to hold off the late charge of Irish-bred Tetragonal to win Sunday's $100,000 Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., by a neck.  Owned by Kaleem Shah and trained by Simon Callaghan, Madone got one mile turf in 1:34.93 and extended her unbeaten streak to three.

“They went fast, which we thought could happen, so Flavien just let her settle back early and let her get comfortable,” said Callaghan.  “He made a big move with her and thankfully she had enough to hold off (Tetragonal)…She is professional, she has really grown up a lot.  She took a little bit of time to come around, but she's really developing into a real professional.  The Breeders' Cup (Juvenile Fillies Turf Nov. 6 at Keeneland) is the plan now.”

A first out one mile maiden turf winner July 31, Madone's most recent score came in the one mile Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar on Sept. 6.  Off at even money in a field of nine 2-year-old fillies today, she paid $4.20, $2.80 and $2.40.

“I liked where we were after the first quarter, it seemed like they were going fast enough up front,” said Autumn Meet leading rider Prat, who made the lead a furlong out and notched his third win of the day.  “The fractions don't say it, but down the backside, it seemed like they slowed it down a little, so I moved and I think I moved a little too soon.  When she makes the lead, she pulls herself up a little.  In all of her races, she doesn't win by much, but she's got a lot of talent.”

A $125,000 Ocala Breeders March 2-year-old in Training Sale purchase, Madone, which means beautiful woman in Italian, picked up $60,000 for her efforts.  By the Medaglia d'Oro stallion Vancouver, she's out of the Cherokee Run mare Indian Love Call.  A perfect three for three, she has earnings of $141,300.

Trained by Richard Baltas, Tetragonal saved ground while last early, wheeled four-deep turning for home and just missed in a thriller.  Off at 25-1 with Juan Hernandez, she finished 3 ½ lengths in front of Pizzazz and paid $11.20 and $6.40.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Pizzazz stalked the pace while fourth early and just held off Closing Remarks by a nose for third money.  Off at 8-1, Pizzazz paid $4.40 to show.

Fractions on the race were 22.30, 45.91, 1:10.61 and 1:23.06.

The post Surfer Girl Stakes Win Puts Madone On Track For Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights