Desormeaux guides home Princess Karen, Soi Phet at Los Alamitos

Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux completed a stakes sweep Saturday at Los Alamitos when he guided Princess Karen to a gate-to-wire upset in the $75,000 Beverly J. Lewis.

Earlier in the afternoon, Desormeaux and Soi Phet captured the $75,000 E.B. Johnston for the second consecutive year, enabling the 9-year-old gelding to become the first four time stakes winner at Los Alamitos since thoroughbred racing returned in July, 2014.

Owned by a partnership that includes Edward J. Brown, Jr., Karen Norton and trainer Jeff Bonde, Princess Karen, the 6-1 third choice in the field of six 3-year-old fillies, broke quickly, dueled with 3-1 second choice Chalon through rapid fractions (21.45 and 44.56 for the half-mile), but still had something to give late and won by 1 ¼ lengths.

A daughter of Stay Thirsty out of the Jade Hunter mare Chitka, Princess Karen completed the six furlongs in 1:09.11 while winning for the third time in six starts.

The $42,000 payday increased her earnings to $120,705. She paid $14 and $4.40. There was no show wagering.

Faypien, the 3-5 favorite after finishing second behind American Gal in the Grade I Test Aug. 5 at Saratoga, outfinished Chalon by a head for second and returned $2.20.

“She had trained very well for this race,’’ said Bonde. “There was a lot of speed and she has a lot of natural speed and that’s why I wanted to go with Kent. (Jockey) Mike (Smith) usually rides her, but he’s off right now, so I just told Kent to ride a smart race and he did.

“I don’t have any answers right now what we might do with her next. I’m just going to enjoy the victory.’’

Queen Laila, Auntjenn and Delitefull Lady completed the order of finish in the Lewis.

Prominent from the outset , Soi Phet dispatched of Start a Runnin and El Huerfano, then held off the late bid of He Will to prevail by three-quarters of a length in the Johnston.

Trained by Leonard Powell for the Benowitz Family Trust, Mathilde Powell and Paul Viskovich, Soi Phet, the 7-2 third choice in the field of six California breds, completed the mile in 1:35.71. He paid $9, $4.60 and $4.

The victory was the 13th in 55 starts for the son of Tizbud and the Siberian Summer mare Summer Jersey and pushed his bankroll to $876,170 - $839,0904 since he was claimed by his current connections for $16,000 May 23, 2013 at Hollywood Park.

In addition to his victories in the Johnston, Soi Phet also captured the Bertrando Stakes and Los Alamitos Mile in 2014. He’s been 1-2 in six of eight at Los Alamitos.

“He loves the long stretch here,’’ said Powell. “He’s a bit of a grinder and he keeps on coming and the stretch here helps him.

“This horse means nearly everything to me. It’s going to be sad when he’s not with me anymore.’’

Desormeaux, who has been aboard for three of Soi Phet’s stakes wins at Los Alamitos, was again impressed with the veteran.

“He’s something else,’’ he said. “A real trooper. I just want to give him a big hug. I actually thought we’d be sitting fourth, but he came out running and then just outdueled them.’’

He Will, the 3-1 second choice, returned $4.20 and $3.60 while the show price on El Huerfano, the 7-2 fourth choice, was $4.20.

The disappointment in the Johnston was Gold Rush Dancer. The 11-10 favorite after his impressive victory in the Grade III Longacres Mile Aug. 13 at Emerald Downs, the 4-year-old Private Gold colt finished last under apprentice jockey Evin Roman.

Racing resumes Sunday at Los Alamitos. Post time is 2 p.m.

For the second time in the first three days of the Los Angeles County Fair meet at Los Alamitos, there will be a Pick Six carryover when racing resumes Sunday.

The carryover of $27,073 was assured when Dramatic Ride, the only horse covered in Saturday’s ninth race, finished  fifth.

Post time Sunday is 2 p.m. The Pick Six will begin in the fourth race, which has a scheduled post time of 3:28 p.m.