Sunland Park: Rose’s Desert caps career with seventh stakes win

Rose’s Desert closed out her career with authority Sunday, powering to a 3 1/4-length win over Little Vidalia in the $85,000 New Mexico State Racing Commission Handicap at Sunland Park. It was the seventh career stakes win for Rose’s Desert, and the first-place check of $51,000 pushed her earnings to $626,035.

“She’s run great her whole life,” said Todd Fincher, who trains the 5-year-old for owner and breeder Joe Peacock. “She shows up every time.”

Fincher said plans are to breed Rose’s Desert to Giant’s Causeway.

Rose’s Desert ($3.20) on Sunday pressed the pace through a half-mile in 45.66 seconds and went on to finish the six-furlong race for fillies and mares bred in New Mexico in 1:10.24. Dusty Shepherd was aboard for the win, one start after guiding Rose’s Desert to victory in the $126,000 New Mexico Filly and Mare Sprint at Zia Park on Oct. 27.

The New Mexico State Racing Commission Handicap was the 10th win from 15 career starts for Rose’s Desert.

Fincher trainees ran one-two in the co-featured $85,480 Johnie L. Jamison Handicap on Sunday, when Hush’s Storm closed for a one-length win over Thermal. The 6 1/2-furlong race was for 3-year-olds and up bred in New Mexico.

Hush’s Storm ($19.40) covered the distance on a fast track in 1:16.78. Aldo Arboleda was aboard for the partnership of Dale Taylor, Joe Dee Brooks, Carey Taylor, and Jon Hogg. Last season at Sunland, Hush’s Storm won the new Mexico Breeders’ Derby on the undercard of the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Park Derby.

Mr. Wizard, the favorite in the Jamison off a win in the $180,000 New Mexico Cup Classic at Zia, finished eighth.