Desormeaux on verge of making Hollypark history

Much has been written about the resurgence of jockey Kent Desormeaux's career since he left the Southland colony four years ago to begin riding East. He immediately began winning more races, traveled that incredible journey that was Big Brown's attempt at a Triple Crown last year and just last weekend flew in to ride Gozzip Girl to a resounding victory in the $700,000 Grade I American Oaks at Hollywood Park.

Desormeaux will attempt to add a little more flavor to that comeback story this weekend when he climbs aboard Eastern invader Parading in the $700,000 Grade I Hollywood Gold Cup on Saturday at Hollywood Park. If he wins, he'll become the first jockey to win both of Hollypark's richest races in the same season. In fact, Desormeaux already became the first two-time winner of the Oaks with his win aboard Gozzip Girl, and he was disqualifed from a third in the inaugural running in 2002 when original winner Dublino was DQ'd and placed second behind Megahertz.

I think Parading has a big shot to give Desormeaux, who's won with about 20 percent of his 2009 mounts, his first victory in the Hollywood Gold Cup. The 39-year-old Louisiana native won two Santa Anita Handicaps during his time here -- Best Pal in 1992 and Milwaukee Brew in 2002 -- and also won one Pacific Classic at Del Mar aboard Missionary Ridge in 1992.

Parading, a 6-year-old son of Pulpit, won the Grade 2 Dixie Stakes over the Pimlico turf on Preakness day in his last start while carrying 122 pounds, so Saturday's high weight of 119 pounds won't bother him in the least. He's sharp, having won four of his past six starts, and he's won his only start on a synthetic -- taking the Grade 3 Ben Ali over Keeneland's Polytrack by 7 1/2 lengths on April 19. He's trained by a guy -- Shug McGaughey -- who's won a big race or two in his time, and his Beyer Speed Figures make him competitive with any horse in the field.