Desormeaux Bounces Back With Fiji

The return of Fiji helped ease some of the discomfort jockey Kent Desormeaux was feeling from the events of Saturday.

Making her first start since April 18 and her Grade I debut, Fiji--a 4-year-old Rainbow Quest filly--ran her victory streak to five with a three-length win in the $210,800 Gamely Breeders’ Cup Handicap Sunday at Hollywood Park.

Owned by Prince Fahd Salman and trained by Neil Drysdale, the 3-5 favorite rallied on the outside entering the stretch, then drew away in the final furlong to win in 1:47 2/5 for the 1 1/8 miles on turf.

This was the seventh victory in eight starts for Fiji--her only loss came by a nose last Dec. 27 at Santa Anita--and set up a possible engagement with Maxzene, the reigning queen of the filly and mare turf division back east, in the $300,000 Beverly Hills Handicap on July 4.

“All I can do is thank Neil and His Royal Highness [Prince Salman] for helping me today,” said Desormeaux, who came within a nose of winning the Triple Crown with Real Quiet the day before. “They helped to ease a lot of pain for me.

“I mean, I’m nauseous inside. The Triple Crown is gone, but for me, it doesn’t want to go away.”

Fiji’s latest success kept a Gamely roll going for Desormeaux, who, with Eddie Delahoussaye and Chris McCarron, shares the lead at the meeting with five stakes victories. Desormeaux has now won the race four of the last six years.

This was the third Gamely win for Drysdale with the previous two coming with Hollywood Wildcat in 1994 and Hail Hilarious 17 years before that.

“[Fiji’s] race was super,” said Drysdale. “She was very relaxed and she’s getting more and more professional. I think this was possibly the first time she’s been tested. It’s a great feeling when you test and pass. We’ll go on to the Beverly Hills--if the weights are OK.”

Kool Kat Katie, the 2-1 second choice, finished second, a neck in front of Squeak. Trained by Jonathan Sheppard and ridden by Jerry Bailey, Kool Kat Katie lost for only the second time in six starts and could return for the Beverly Hills, which is run at 1 1/4 miles on the turf.

Sonja’s Faith, who was fourth ahead of pacesetter Traces Of Gold and Golden Arches, did well to finish that high as her saddle slipped back early in the race.

Horse Racing Notes

Western Woman, the 5-2 favorite, easily won the $68,690 Cinderella Stakes, beating 10 other 2-year-old fillies. She was ridden by Corey Nakatani for trainer Jeff Bonde, who also owns the West by West filly in partnership. Western Woman won by 3 1/2 lengths and ran the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04 1/5.