Jockey Kent Desormeaux will return to the saddle at Del Mar this Friday, reports the Daily Racing Form, named on his first two mounts since Jan. 23. Desormeaux recently completed a voluntary rehabilitation program.
“I'm appreciative and thankful to be able to return,” Desormeaux told DRF. “This difference is my other previous occasions were court-ordered rehabs. This time, I did it on my own. This time, I want to be healthy. This time, I want it.”
Desormeaux, 53, has been absent from racing since a January domestic abuse arrest in Louisiana. His license has been suspended since March, when he failed to appear at at California Horse Racing Board hearing with stewards on a disorderly conduct charge that took place at an RV park on the grounds of Del Mar racetrack last Nov. 23.
The latter has been resolved via a 60-day suspension, served Aug. 8 through Oct. 6. In addition, that ruling also states the Hall of Fame rider and three-time Eclipse Award winner “shall sign a testing agreement with the California Horse Racing Board while licensed in California and is ordered to be evaluated by the Winners Foundation and shall abide by the recommendations of that organization. Failure to do so may result in a suspension of his license.”
Desormeaux has admitted to alcohol problems in the past and the two incidents that led to the disorderly conduct complaints reportedly involved alcohol. The first incident, which occurred in 2020, led to a 15-day suspension and his ejection from Del Mar property.
The owners of Santa Anita excluded Desormeaux from its premises following his January arrest; Desormeaux has met with 1/ST officials and his status at Santa Anita for the winter meet remains pending.
Read more at the Daily Racing Form.
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