Desormeaux Returning to SoCal Circuit?

On California Cup weekend, Jan. 25 and 26, Kent Desormeaux returns to the scene of many of his greatest triumphs, Santa Anita Park, where he won three riding titles in the 1990s before seeking greener pastures back East.

Winner of 5,533 races including the Kentucky Derby three times, the three-time Eclipse Award winner, who turns 44 on Feb. 27, will be represented by agent Danny Thomas.

“Basically he’s coming from Florida to ride the Cal Cup races and to be closer to his two sons,” said Southern California native Thomas, 46, a former horse owner and long-time fan of the sport, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and a minor in Film from Chapman University.

“Hopefully, he’ll have a good weekend, pick up business in stakes races and possibly build on that and then come out here on a more permanent basis,” Thomas said.

That would avail Desormeaux an opportunity to spend more time with sons Joshua and Jacob, which is high on his priority list.

“He’s hungry,” Thomas said. “He pretty much told me whatever it takes, whatever I need to do. So I’m really happy. I think we’re headed in the right direction.”