Trainer Desormeaux in New York State of Mind
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Keith Desormeaux will have bigger plans in mind when he saddles Texas Red in the $500,000 Dwyer Stakes (gr. III) July 4 at Belmont Park as the 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, Keith Desormeaux expects to stable a handful of stakes hopefuls at the Spa, including last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) winner Texas Red, a son of Afleet Alex who is ultimately aimed for the Travers (gr. I) Aug 29.
"This is a building process towards the Travers," Desormeaux said. "It's why we're here. This sets up perfectly for us. The distances get a little longer to the Jim Dandy (gr. II on August 1) to the Travers, 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 Decked Out (Street Boss ), runner-up in the Astoria Stakes June 4 at Belmont, to the grade III Schuylerville on opening day, July 24, while Danette (Curlin ), a 3-year-old maiden winner July 2 at Belmont, is possible for the Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I) July 26.