Desert Party strolls in Sanford

Rain didn't stop Desert from overtaking the Sanford (Bill Roberts/Horsephotos.com)

Darley Stable's DESERT PARTY (Street Cry [Ire]) drove through a big opening

on the rail at the head of the stretch and easily put away his three rivals in

Thursday's $142,500

Sanford S. (G2) at Saratoga. The Eoin Harty trainee

completed six furlongs over the muddy, sealed main oval in 1:12 1/5 under Edgar

Prado, paying $3.90 and $2.80 as the 4-5 favorite. There was no show wagering in

the scratch-reduced field.

"I was very concerned about the wet track," Harty stated. "My wife

(Kathleen)

told me to run. I have to give her full credit. She told me not to weaken."

Officer Ipod (Officer) broke like a shot and led the compact field through an

opening quarter-mile in :22 3/5, with Desert Party tracking closely on the

inside. The eventual winner lost position along tight quarters near the rail

with Officer Ipod still in front through a :46 3/5 half-mile, but once clear,

Prado just had to hang on as his colt did the rest. The final margin was 3 1/4

lengths.

"It was just a matter of time when I could find a hole," Prado said. "Even if

the rail didn't open up, I think he still would have won the race. He really

acted like an old pro."

The pacesetter retained the place spot at 4-1, worth $3.40 and completing the

$12.80 exacta. Vineyard Haven (Lido Palace [Chi]) made a big move entering the

final turn but flattened out late, finishing third as the 9-5 second choice.

Phosphorescent (Rock Slide) brought up the rear. Dagnabit (Freud),

Notonthesamepage (Catienus) and Bullion Cache (Seeking the Gold) were withdrawn.