Dwyer Just a Starting Point for Texas Red

Keith Desormeaux will have bigger plans in mind when he saddles Texas Red in today's Grade 3, $500,000 Dwyer Stakes, as the longtime conditioner plans to keep a string at Saratoga Race Course for the first time this summer.

A regular trainer on the Southern California circuit and brother of Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux, Desormeaux expects to stable a handful of stakes hopefuls at the Spa, naturally anchored by last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner, ultimately aiming towards the Midsummer Derby.

"This is a building process towards the Travers," said Desormeaux. "It's why we're here. This sets up perfectly for us. The distances get a little longer to the Jim Dandy [on August 1] to the Travers [on August 29], so it's a step-by-step process."

Desormeaux' first and, thus far, only visit to Saratoga was nearly 26 years ago, when he joined his brother on a day trip in 1989.

"I was galloping in Maryland and Kent took a mount on a weekday in Saratoga, so I just went up with him," Desormeaux said. "I had only been on the track for about a year at that point and I thought it was a fantasy land, like Disneyland for horses. I didn't know places like that existed. It'll be interesting to see it again now."

In addition to Texas Red, Desormeaux said he expects to point Astoria runner-up Decked Out to the Grade 3 Schuylerville on opening day, July 24, while Danette, a recent maiden winner at Belmont Park, is possible for the Coaching Club American Oaks.

Source: NYRA Communications