Dee Zee Stable’s Latitude Forty, benefiting from Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux’s spectacular Saratoga season, responded to his right-handed stick Saturday afternoon to surge by front-running Factual Contender and post a 1 ¼-length victory in the 28th running of the $112,600 Yaddo Handicap for New York-bred fillies and mares at nine furlongs on the firm inner turf course.

Latitude Forty, a 4-year-old Chester House filly, returned $48 for her upset win, but the way Desormeaux has been riding this meet, upset is hardly appropriate.

Desormeaux, who trails only Cornelio Velasquez in the standings, tracked Factual Contender from the start, letting that one set a pace of :24.08; :48.67; and 1:36.27, with the rail out nine feet. Into the lane, Desormeaux went to work and Latitude went about her business to kick away for the win in 1:47.84.

“She was right there the whole way,” said trainer John Hertler, whose first winner of the meet returned a $2 win payoff of $48. “She looked real good. She got herself right into the race right at the beginning and finished good. I’m real proud of her.

“It’s definitely a relief. It feels good. I’m happy and a little surprised.”

Hertler shouldn’t have been too surprised, as Desormeaux is not only riding as well as anyone here, he also came armed with prior knowledge. Last year, Desormeaux rode Latitude Forty to a third-place finish here in the Irish Linnet. The filly was only beaten three-quarters of a length, after she ducked out at the start.

“I was so hopeful to do well with her today,” Desormeaux said. “I felt one got away from me when I rode her here last year; she bolted at the start. It was nice that we could put it together here. She gave me a good ride. The pace quickened dramatically after the half. She was able to keep up with them going around the turn. She reeled them in and stayed with them. She had to fight for her position at the quarter-pole, but she did it for me.”

Factual Contender again put in a strong effort for trainer Barclay Tagg.

“It was a helluva race and she always tries,” Tagg said. “She went out there as far as she could go. She made all the fractions, except that last one where they went :11 and two.”

Symphony of Psalms was third, getting a neck ahead of Half Heaven. Nedjma, even-money favorite J’ray, in-foal Sabellina, Artistic Express, My Nina Rose and Homerette trailed.

“We had a good position, and she just wasn’t there for me,” said J’ray’s jockey, John Velazquez.

Follow My Dream was scratched.