Desert Boom goes wire-to-wire in Grade 3 Berkeley

ALBANY, Calif. - Desert Boom ($12.60) broke sharply and controlled the pace as he captured the $100,000 Grade 3 by two lengths over stablemate Easy Million at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.

Trainer Art Sherman said he entered both in the race because they were training so well. He plans to run both in the Claiming Crown Jewel on July 16 at Canterbury Park.

Desert Boom won the 1 1/16-mile race in 1: 40.94. Easy Million, who closed well from last, was six in front of Yougottawanna at the wire.

"Desert Boom just breezed 59, and he can go either way," Sherman said. "He has enough speed to take the lead if he wants. It was good Bobby (jockey Roberto Gonzalez) got away from there early."

Gonzalez said Desert Boom was very sharp after a six-week freshener.

"I tapped him about 50 yards from the gate in the post parade, and he got up on his toes," Gonzalez said. "I thank Art for giving me the green light. He broke much better than he usually does, and I wanted to make Chad (Schvaneveldt aboard Yougottawanna) quarter horse away from there if he wanted the lead. I was glad to see Chad take back around the seven-eighths.

"At the three-eighths, I gave him a breather, and he relaxed nicely. He switched gears when we turned for home."

Desert Boom earned $55,000 for his first stakes victory and has won five of seven starts since being claimed for $25,000 by Robert Bone last Nov. 7 at Hollywood Park. The 5-year-old gelding has won 13 of 32 career starts and earned $391,920.