A calmer trainer, Desormeaux back for Kentucky Derby 2018

Key to performing well in the 2018 Kentucky Derby, Keith Desormeaux said Friday morning, is keeping his lively rider (brother Kent) and bargain colt (My Boy Jack) calm.

The trainer’s staying a bit more chill himself these days.

Two years after arriving to Churchill Downs with Santa Anita Derby winner Exaggerator, Desormeaux cracked a smile and admitted he wasn’t prepared for the “media crush” surrounding Barn 25. Desormeaux shooed reporters away from the shed row in 2016, placing barricades and caution tape around the entrance.

“I was like, ‘Man, I’ve got to do something about this,’” Desormeaux said. “Yeah, it created a little tension with a rookie trainer. I’m glad you think I’m a lot more calm this year. It’ll be a lot more enjoyable to be that way.”

Exaggerator went on to finish second, and Desormeaux returned to the Kentucky Derby in 2017 with a maiden, Sonneteer, who ran 16th. A son of Creative Cause, My Boy Jack also wove an interesting path to Derby qualification.

A $20,000 purchase -- cheapest of this year's Derby contenders offered at auction -- My Boy Jack jumped onto the radar by winning Oaklawn Park’s Grade 3 Southwest Stakes in February, then rallied from the back of the pack to finish a close third in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby in March. The finish left My Boy Jack short on qualifying points, so Desormeaux entered him in a minor prep, Keeneland’s Grade 3 Lexington, and the colt rallied to win by a head.

“I changed up his training knowing that we would be running back quickly, and I used the race as a building block instead of an ending point,” Desormeaux said. “So hopefully the plan works out, and the race in the Lexington adds to his fitness.

“He’s recovered nicely. His weight is back, and his vigor is back. He looks great. I’ll have the fittest horse in the race. That’s how I have to look at it.”

But, Desormeaux noted, “You look back now, and I didn’t need to run in the Lexington.” Due to defections by other prospective Derby contenders, the 32 points he carried out of the Louisiana Derby would have been enough.

Still, My Boy Jack represents a potentially strong closing kick in the Derby — not on Exaggerator’s level, but the type who could get a piece of the board. Desormeaux will have his Hall of Fame brother riding again.

“As long as my mother’s around, I have no choice,” he quipped.

As for the ideal trip? It’ll depend on the front-runners, who Desormeaux would like to see run through the opening half mile in 45 seconds and change.

“If I was to be honest with myself and my horse, the only way I can beat them is if the pace scenario is too quick for the real top contenders,” he said. “I hope they go too fast. I hope the Derby nerves get to the jocks and the horses.”

Because this year, they aren’t getting to Desormeaux.