Desormeaux on Probation for Alcohol Test

Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux was fined $2,500 and essentially put on probation by the Board of Stewards at Santa Anita Park Oct. 4, stemming from a July 29 breathalyzer test that showed alcohol in his system while riding in races at Del Mar.



The decision states that Desormeaux was "suspended" 30 days, but that the suspension is "stayed" unless he "receives a similar violation in this or any other racing jurisdiction" through Feb 2, 2018.



California Horse Racing Board documents said that stewards were alerted July 29 that Desormeaux "smelled of alcohol," inspiring them to send investigative staff to the jockeys' room to administer a breathalyzer. Two tests were performed in succession, resulting in blood alcohol content readings of .047 and .041, and stewards removed Desormeaux from his remaining two mounts on the card.



BALAN: Desormeaux Failed Breathalyzer at Del Mar



According to the documents, the CHRB argued "that any blood alcohol level above zero constitutes a violation" of CHRB rule 1874, which states no "licensee shall be under the influence of any alcoholic beverage." Again according to the documents, Desormeaux's opposing argument was that the testing protocol was flawed and that, even if the tested blood alcohol content was accurate, it should not be considered "under the influence."



Desormeaux in July initially contended that his drinking of a carbonated drink led to a false positive, but steward Scott Chaney said that aspect was not brought up by the jockey's lawyers when the case was being decided.



Desormeaux, who has been taken off mounts for alcohol-related violations in the past while riding at Belmont Park and Woodbine, was unavailable for comment mid-card Sunday at Santa Anita.