Desert set to Party at Nad al Sheba

Godolphin's DESERT PARTY (Street Cry [Ire]), an impressive 3 1/4-length

victor of the Sanford S. (G2) last summer over subsequent multiple Grade 1

winner, and now stablemate, Vineyard Haven (Lido Palace [Chi]), kicks off his

2009 campaign Thursday at Nad al Sheba in Dubai in the $50,000 Ford Flex Trophy,

a conditions race over 1,400 meters (approximately seven furlongs) on dirt. In

the care of Saeed bin Suroor, Desert Party will break from post 6 in the field

of 16 and will be ridden by Frankie Dettori.

A 3 3/4-length winner of his maiden at Arlington Park last June for trainer

Eoin Harty, Desert Party next shipped to Saratoga and romped home an easy winner

of the Sanford under Edgar Prado. However, his fortunes turned in the Hopeful S.

(G1) where he stumbled and was pinched back leaving the gate. He never

threatened thereafter, finishing more than nine lengths behind in sixth while

Vineyard Haven scored a handy 4 1/4-length triumph. That rival subsequently won

the Champagne S. (G1) and was later purchased by Godolphin from a partnership

that included trainer Bobby Frankel, and is also in Dubai to prep for the

Kentucky Derby (G1).

Godolphin will have another representative in the race. REGAL RANSOM

(Distorted Humor), a debut winner at Saratoga for Kiaran McLaughlin on August

25, finished eighth of nine in the Norfolk S. (G1) in his only other start last

season. Ted Durcan will be aboard the colt who breaks from post 14.

Others of note include CLASSIC BLADE (Daggers Drawn), victor of the July S.

(G2) at Newmarket last summer prior to unplaced efforts in the Prix Morny

(Fr-G1) and Middle Park S. (Eng-G1); the Mike de Kock-trained ROCKS OFF (Orpen),

last seen taking the Premier's Champion S. (SAf-G1) last July in South Africa;

INDISCUTIBLE (Indy Dancer), a Group 3 winner in Chile more than 10 months ago;

and BLUES AND ROCK (Casual Meeting), who was Group 1-placed in his last two

starts in his native Argentina.

The approximate post time for the Ford Flex Trophy, the second of nine races

at Nad al Sheba Thursday evening, is 10:25 a.m. (EST).