Elusive Desire upsets in Miss Versatility opener

Elusive Desire was all out in the final strides to hold off a late-closing Windsong Soprano and score a 1:52.1 victory in the $25,000 first leg of the Miss Versatility for open mare trotters. Driven by John Campbell, the 19-1 Elusive Desire held on by a neck to post her third win of the year in seven starts, as well as a new career mark.

 

Autumn Escapade finished third, while the 2009 Older Trotting Mare of the Year Buck I St. Pat, half of the 1-5 favored Ron Burke-trained entry with Southwind Wasabi, settled for fourth--beaten three lengths--despite an individual last quarter of :26 flat while trying to rally from a third-over sixth in the final turn.

 

As for Elusive Desire, the 4-year-old daughter is trained by Mike Keeling and owned by PC Wellwood Enterprises, H. Charles Armstrong and Robert Fasken.