Sunland: Rose's Desert seeks fifth straight in Valentini Handicap

Rose’s Desert will be out to build on a perfect 2011 season Saturday, when she makes her first start of the year in the $110,000 Sydney Valentini Handicap at Sunland Park. She will be chasing her fifth straight win after a year in which she won two stakes while going 4 for 4.

The Valentini, a one-mile race for New Mexico-bred fillies and mares, will be Rose’s Desert’s first start since Dec. 11, when she won the $110,000 New Mexico Racing Commission Handicap at Sunland. The break in racing was simply because there was not a race that suited her up until Saturday, said her trainer, Todd Fincher.

“She’s training well,” he said. “She might be a little flat since it’s been over two months since she’s run. She hasn’t got to do anything other than her regular routine. That worries me a little bit. But she’s a racehorse.”

Rose’s Desert has won 4 of 5 starts, her lone loss a neck defeat in her career debut in December 2010.

Juan Ochoa has the mount on Rose’s Desert, who races for her breeder, Joe Peacock.