Desormeaux Failed Breathalyzer at Del Mar

Jockey Kent Desormeaux was taken off of his final two mounts July 29 because of a failed breathalyzer test, Del Mar stewards said July 30.

The Hall of Fame jockey will be allowed to continue riding while the California Horse Racing Board investigates the issue, but will be required to take a breathalyzer every day before riding.



BALAN: Desormeaux Taken Off Mounts at Del Mar



Desormeaux, who has been taken off mounts for alcohol-related violations in the past while riding at Belmont Park and Woodbine, said his breathalyzer test was a false positive. The jockey said he blew a .00 blood-alcohol content reading Thursday, then took a drink of the carbonated water he was consuming the day prior, and blew a .02 reading.



"I just proved the breathalyzer was tampered by the carbonated water I was drinking," Desormeaux said in a text message Thursday. "It blows up the test. The gas, I guess."



When asked what the BAC percentage was Wednesday, Desormeaux said, "nearly the same."

In response to Desormeaux's contention that the breathalyzer test administered to him this week was compromised because he had ingested a carbonated drink, the California Horse Racing Board July 31 issued the following statement:

"Carbonation will not register as alcohol in a breathalyzer test administered by law enforcement," said Bill Westermann, chief of law enforcement for the CHRB. "The equipment we use is calibrated by the California Highway Patrol and current in its certifications. The breathalyzer measures the level of alcohol in the bloodstream."

Desormeaux will have the opportunity to introduce evidence on his own behalf at a hearing before the stewards on Saturday, Aug. 15.