Hess, Desormeaux team up in San Gabriel with Cleopatra’s Strike
Bob Hess Jr. is cautiously optimistic he can have success first time off a claim with Cleopatra’s Strike in Saturday’s Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita.
Haltered for $62,500 last out on Nov. 13, the 8-year-old Canadian-bred gelding was second by a nose in last year’s San Gabriel and won the John Henry Turf Classic (G2) last September when trained by Phil D’Amato.
“The horse has been training beautifully, and it looks like he’s always trained very well,” Hess said. “I’ve watched past videos and I think whoever has had him, he’s done really well for them.
“He’s doing really great and we’re happy to have Kent on him.”
That would be Kent Desormeaux, the three-time Kentucky Derby winner and Hall of Fame member who turns 51 on Feb. 27. Among Desormeaux’s most remarkable records is 598 races won in 1989, a record that still stands.
Hess and Desormeaux have enjoyed remarkable success together through the years, which they hope will resume in the New Year.
Kent is recently back from a three-month absence during which he participated in rehabilitation program to overcome substance abuse at a facility in Pasadena.
“I think the time is now for Kent,” Hess said. “I think he’s going out there with a positive attitude.
“As for the horse, obviously it’s a leap up but we’re quietly confident.”