Monmouth Park: Double Desert doesn't enjoy standing around

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Double Desert landed the outside post for the $50,000 New Jersey-bred starter-allowance feature on Friday at Monmouth Park.

That suits trainer Rory Huston just fine.

A 4-year-old, Double Desert has the 12 hole in the one mile, 70-yard race where she again figures to be a major factor following consecutive seconds in her most recent outings at this same level.

Given her history of starting gate issues, the less time standing around the better, as far as Huston is concerned.

“She gets a little nervous in the gate,” Huston said. “When we first started working with her, she was refusing to break. The gate guys kind of gave up on her.”

Back at Overbrook Farm in nearby Colts Neck, N.J., Huston put Double Desert through extensive starting gate schooling. It paid off as she won her debut here last summer.

Double Desert is looking for her first win since then. Her last two races have been the best since then, a span of 10 races.

In her latest try, Double Desert made a strong inside move turning for home, battling in the lane with eventual 3-5 winner Developing Story before yielding by only 1 1/4 lengths at the finish.

“We were a little bit disappointed but she was pretty game,” Huston said. “She came out of the race good. We’re looking forward to running.”

And he’s looking forward to having the last horse loaded into the gate.

“She gets a little washy if she has to stay in the there too long,” Huston said. “We’re hoping the outside post is going to help her.”

Francisco Maysonette has the return call.

This will also be a rematch with Paulsbourbonbaby, who finished third, one spot behind Double Desert in each of her last two races.

Cass, Sounds Valid and Emotional Lady are the only two-time winners in the field.

Cass, who has the rail, won last time out on the turf for a $40,000 tag under beaten conditions.

Emotional Lady debuts for trainer Michael Sedlacek following a claim for $5,000 while Sounds Valid was a distant third against open $12,500 claimers.

Larry Jones out to keep Oaks streak going

The competition will try to keep up with the Joneses in the Grade 3, $150,000 Monmouth Oaks, the Saturday feature.

The husband and wife training team of Larry and Cindy Jones have combined to capture the last three renewals of the stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

Larry Jones scored wins with Maren’s Meadow (2008) and Just Jenda (2009).

With Larry stepping aside for a brief hiatus, Cindy Jones captured the stakes last year with No Such Word.

With Larry back in charge, the Jones will try to extend the streak as Canadian Mistress makes her stakes debut.

Stretching out unlocked the talent in Canadian Mistress. She sprinted the first three times out, picking up a pair of seconds.

Sent a distance of ground for the first time, Canadian Mistress won by 21 1/2 lengths at Delaware Park.

She followed that with a front-running first-level score here last month.

Canadian Mistress will face 10 rivals in the 1 1/16-mile race.

The field includes two from trainer Todd Pletcher: Dance Quietly and Savvy Supreme. The rest of the lineup is: Coco Ecolo, Daring Reality, Marion Ravenwood, Marvel Gaye, Miss Valentine, Strike the Moon, Withgreatpleasure, and My Sunshine Gal.