Stewards Suspend Kent Desormeaux for Riding 'Effort'

Nine days after his ride aboard Take a Leap in the fourth race Aug. 25 at Del Mar, the stewards at the San Diego County racetrack suspended jockey Kent Desormeaux three racing days for "failure to give his best effort to his mount and the public, costing him a better finish position."

A day after the race, the Del Mar stewards declined to explain why Desormeaux was called in for an "informal hearing," and sent the case to California Horse Racing Board investigators. Desormeaux indicated the hearing was about a claim that he did not ride out Take a Leap to the wire, an allegation he denied. Take a Leap was passed at the wire and lost second by a nose in the race.

BALAN: Del Mar Stewards Send Desormeaux Riding Case to CHRB

After a "transcribed hearing" Sept. 2, which will be a matter of public record when the court reporter's transcript becomes available, the stewards again declined to clarify details of the case. They said the court reporter was there to create a record, should Desormeaux decide to appeal the sanction.

"Personally I'd rather leave it ... because Kent still has a right to appeal," said steward John Herbuveaux.

Herbuveaux said a court reporter is "required if there is a possibility a jockey is getting (suspended) more than 10 days, by rule." When asked if the stewards were considering suspending Desormeaux for more than three days, Herbuveaux said they "were waiting for the evidence."

Steward Grant Baker, in response to whether they were considering more than a three-day suspension, added, "That's getting back into the appeal stuff—our mindset and stuff. ... When it comes to the particulars of the case, these film reviews revolve around the (replay of the race)."

After the case was sent to CHRB investigators, Herbuveaux said the stewards were instructed that "the investigative staff need not be involved in the decision-making process. That was a matter for the stewards to decide." When asked who gave those instructions, Herbuveaux said, "I didn't talk to him, but I believe it was (CHRB chief steward) Darrel McHargue."

When asked why the stewards initially sent the case to CHRB investigators instead of ruling on the case immediately, Baker said, "I don't think there (was) apprehension. We wanted to be thorough."

The suspension dates come during the upcoming meet at Los Alamitos Race Course. During Los Alamitos' previous meeting in July, Desormeaux did not have a mount, but rode stakes horses at Prairie Meadows and Belmont Park during that time.

"Since Hollywood Park's days were distributed, the last couple of years we decided, if the jockey gets days at the end of one of the big meets and the dates he gets assigned roll over to Los Alamitos, that's when they take them," said steward Kim Sawyer. "If the jockey drops an appeal of days to try and take the days at Los Alamitos, that is not allowed."