The Racing Hub : Kent Desormeaux

Sweet Music

cdawahare — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:33:00 GMT

With the mid-week lull upon us and all the disqualification controversy following Proud Spell's demotion from second in the Grade 1 Mother Goose Stakes on Saturday, I can't help but think about the overshadowed winner. She seems to have gotten lost with the rough riding that took place behind her, but Music Note, by A.P. Indy, looks like she could be special. She is a winner of her last three starts and three of four overall....(read more)

Great Horse?

cdawahare — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:53:00 GMT

By Joe Drape, NYTimes.com

BALTIMORE — It’s hard to find fault in Big Brown’s performance here in the Preakness. He was barely asked to run by the jockey Kent Desormeaux and buried an overmatched field.

Still, between now and the Belmont Stakes, we’re going to hear a great deal about whom Big Brown has beaten, and whether or not he is merely a superior horse in a mediocre crop of 3-year-olds. I ran into Robby Albarado Saturday night — he’s the regular rider for Curlin, the reigning Horse of the Year, and finished fourth in Saturday’s Preakness aboard Racecar Rhapsody.

Albarado laughed when asked if Big Brown was in Curlin’s league.

“It’s the difference between men and boys, and hopefully we’ll get to see that in the fall if they meet in the Gold Cup or Breeders’ Cup,” Albarado said. “Frankly, there were at least four 3-year-olds last year who were as good as Big Brown if not better. Street Sense, Hard Spun, Any Given Saturday and Curlin.”

Jockey Chases Triple Crown While Son Can Still See It

cdawahare — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:05:00 GMT

By Tom Pedulla, USA TODAY

BALTIMORE — When jockey Kent Desormeaux and undefeated Big Brown spring into action in the 133rd Preakness Stakes on Saturday, their bid to move to within one win of a Triple Crown will be accompanied by a rush of sights and sounds.

The jockeys' bright, shimmering silks will form a montage of colors after the starting gate snaps open. The fans' roar will all but propel the pounding hooves into the first turn at Pimlico Race Course.

There will be a wall of sound as the field turns for home. It will grow louder still if heavily favored Big Brown breaks free and takes another step toward becoming the 12th Triple Crown champion and the first since Affirmed in 1978.

Continue reading...