Sahara Sky posts determined Met Mile victory

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Elmont, NY (Sports Network) - Sahara Sky, ridden by Joel Rosario, charged through the stretch and was able to catch Cross Traffic at the wire to capture Monday's $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap (Met Mile) at Belmont Park.

Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, Sahara Sky, the 9-2 third pick in the nine- horse field, came storming down the stretch aiming for the leader Cross Traffic. The two horses hit the finish together with Sahara Sky getting his nose on the wire first.

Flat Out and Cross Traffic both went off at 5-2 as Flat Out was attempting to claim his fifth win in as many starts at Belmont Park. The 7-year-old, ridden by Junior Alvarado, had traffic problems and at one point was 10 lengths from the leaders.

Flat Out rallied down the stretch to finish third followed by Mark Valeski, Fed Biz, Fort Loudon, Swagger Jack, Handsome Mike and Discreet Dancer.

The time for the Met Mile was 1:34.17 on a fast track.

Sahara Sky, co-owned by Hollendorfer and Kim Lloyd, earned $450,000 for the biggest win in his career. The 5-year-old has earned $886,680 with seven wins in 16 lifetime starts.

Sahara Sky won the Palos Verdes Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 19 as a 21-1 longshot. He followed with a win in the San Carlos before coming to Aqueduct for the Carter Handicap on April 6 when he finished second to Swagger Jack.

Sahara Sky paid $11.60, $6.00 and $3.80. Cross Traffic returned $5.10 and $3.40, and Flat Out paid $2.80 to show.