Friday, July 25, 2008
DESERT PARTY SCORES IN SHORT SANFORD FIELD
Thursday afternoon, on the second day of Saratoga Race Course’s 140th season, the main topic of conversation was the rainy weather that dampened the spirits of many and forced the cancellation of several turf races and the postponement one steeplechase event.
But by day’s end, there was plenty of sunshine, as well something else to talk about. His name is Desert Party, a $2.1 million purchase who was making his debut on dirt.
A Street Cry colt owned by Darley Stable, Desert Party found room at the rail on the muddy/sealed track and came through in the lane for a 3 ¼-length victory under jockey Edgar Prado in the 94th running of the Grade 2 Sanford for two-year-olds at six furlongs.
That left a field of four and Desert Party handled his rivals and a new set of unfavorable conditions like an expert. He returned $3.90 to win.
“This colt’s biggest asset is his turn of foot. I told Edgar not to hustle him away from there; to give him a chance [so when] you call on him, he can run for you,” said trainer Eoin Harty. “I had a pretty anxious moment on the turn. I thought I’d lost all chance there.”
On the turn, after Officer Ipod set a pace of 22.78 and 46.66 on the track, Desert Party got squeezed a bit. Prado, however, treated it as a mere hiccup.
“I was lucky a little bit on the first turn - but he's that kind of horse, you know?,” Prado said. “It was just a matter of time when I could find a hole - even if the rail didn't open up, I think he still would have won the race.”
Desert Party proved his jockey right, as he shot through the rail to notch his second win and first graded stakes
“I was very concerned about the wet track,” Harty said. “My wife [Kathleen] told me to run. I have to give her full credit. She told me not to weaken. [But] we came over for the first couple of races and the track was surprisingly good.
“We’ll stay here and run him in the Hopeful [Grade 1, $250,000, seven furlongs, September 1].”
Prado liked the way his mount came back from the race.
“Eoin and I talked about the track earlier, but the track is nice and tight safe,”
Prado said. “He felt comfortable and that's why we went for it. I like this horse. I like the way he came back. He wasn't blowing too much. I like those kinds of horses. He really acted like an old pro. For only running one time, he handled everything very well.”
Officer Ipod was second, followed by Vineyard Haven and Phosphorescent.
SANFORD QUOTES
Winning trainer Eoin Harty of favored Desert Party (No. 3): “This colt’s biggest asset is his turn of foot. I told Edgar (Prado) not to hustle him away from there; to give him a chance [so when] you call on him, he can run for you. I had a pretty anxious moment on the turn. I thought I’d lost all chance there.
“I was very concerned about the wet track. My wife [Kathleen] told me to run. I have to give her full credit. She told me not to weaken. [But] we came over for the first couple of races and the track was surprisingly good.
“We’ll stay here and run him in the Hopeful [Grade 1, $250,000, seven furlongs, September 1].”
Winning jockey Edgar Prado: (on getting squeezed early) “I was lucky a little bit on the first turn - but he's that kind of horse, you know? It was just a matter of time
when I could find a hole - even if the rail didn't open up I think he still would have won the race.
“He was very responsive. He came running out of the gate and relaxed beautifully. When I pressed the pedal again, he was there for me.
“(Trainer Eoin Harty and I) talked about the track earlier, but the track is nice and tight safe. He felt comfortable and that's why we went for it. I like this horse. I like the way he came back. He wasn't blowing too much. I like those kinds of horses. He really acted like an old pro. For only running one time, he handled everything very well.”
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