Sunland: Rose's Desert closes out standout career

Rose’s Desert will attempt to go out a winner on Sunday, when she makes the final start of her career in the $85,000 New Mexico State Racing Commission Handicap at Sunland Park. She is the 124-pound highweight in the six-furlong race for fillies and mares.

On the same card, New Mexico Cup Classic winner Mr. Wizard will cut back to one turn for the $85,000 Johnie Jamison Handicap. Both races are restricted to horses bred in New Mexico.

Rose’s Desert has been one of the state’s leading female runners the past three years. She won the $126,000 New Mexico Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Zia Park in her most recent start Oct. 27, and on Sunday will be seeking her third straight win in the New Mexico State Racing Commission.

“This will be her last race,” said Todd Fincher, who trains Rose’s Desert for her breeder, Joe Peacock.

Fincher said plans are to breed Rose’s Desert to leading sire Giant’s Causeway this coming breeding season.

Rose’s Desert, a 5-year-old by the Fappiano stallion Desert God, has won 9 of 14 starts and $575,035, with six of her wins coming in stakes. She has never finished worse than second.

“She has an amazing turn of foot,” Fincher said. “Sit her back there, let her run, and it’s amazing how she can just turn it on. I’ve seen her pinched in, blocked in, and find a hole at the head of the stretch and just accelerate like you can’t believe. She’s the real deal.”

Rose’s Desert scored a five-length win in the New Mexico Cup, when she covered six furlongs in 1:08.60. She earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 87, and the number ranks as the best last-race Beyer for any starter in the New Mexico State Racing Commission.

“She ran a great race last time,” Fincher said.

Rose’s Desert sat just off the pace, and Fincher feels she could get a similar trip Sunday, behind Dawn Is Affirmed and perhaps Lady French.

“There’s not a whole lot of pace in the race,” Fincher said. “The one-horse, Dawn Is Affirmed, probably has the most speed. We should be tracking.”

Dusty Shepherd has the mount from post 5.

Others set to start include Iplaytricks, winner of the $177,000 Peppers Pride on the New Mexico Cup card on Oct. 27.

Mr. Wizard won at a mile last out in the $190,000 New Mexico Cup Classic and will be turning back to 6 1/2 furlongs for the Jamison, The field includes Attitude E Racer, winner of the $182,000 New Mexico Cup Sprint.