Preparing a two-year-old champion for their sophomore season is always a challenge, but heading into Saturday's Gold Final at Georgian Downs, trainer Mike Keeling says trotting filly Elusive Desire is right on target
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"She's been good. She hasn't disappointed us," says Keeling. "Even in the Elegantimage Final, people thought maybe she was flat, but we weren't disappointed with her. We were disappointed in how things worked out, the way the trip worked out."
Third in her first two starts, an overnight and a division of the Casual Breeze at Mohawk Racetrack, the filly delivered a sharp 1:54.3 effort to capture her elimination of the Elegantimage Stake at the Campbellville oval on June 19. Sent off the third choice in the $561,500 final one week later, Elusive Desire and driver Paul MacDonell got hemmed in on the rail behind a tiring favourite and had to settle for the fifth-place finisher's share.
After battling the heavy hitters for three weeks, the Angus Hall lass made her sophomore Ontario Sires Stakes debut in last weekend's Gold Eliminations at Georgian Downs and was an effortless two and one-half length winner in 1:57.3.
"That was exactly what she needed after three straight weeks of going to the bottom of the barrel, for lack of a better term," says Keeling. "A little softer company, a little easier race. When he came back Paul (MacDonell) said he had a ton of horse, that she was really strong, and that's exactly what you want to hear after three straight weeks of working so hard."
With the filly racing in stiff company week after week, Keeling has pared back her training regimen to the bare minimum, giving her lots of time in the paddock and allowing her to loaf along in the jog cart. Looking ahead, the trainer and owners P C Wellwood Enterprises Inc. of Cambridge, Charles Armstrong of Brampton and Robert Fasken of Oakville face a decision about whether to tackle North America's top fillies in the prestigious Hambletonian Oaks or stay at home for the third Gold Series event.
"We will have to have a good long discussion," says Keeling. "If we go after the big fish again, we may take races off her later in the year, and I want to have her around when the Breeders Crown and Super Final come around in October and November."
At two, Elusive Desire hit her stride late in the season, sweeping the last Gold Series and the Super Final. Through 14 starts the consistent filly only finished out of the top three on one occasion.
"The greatest thing about her, she knows what she's doing, and she loves what she's doing," says the Cambridge resident. "I think that's what separates a great horse from a mediocre horse.
"She has character and desire, that's what it is," he adds.
Elusive Desire will put her skill and desire to the test from Post 2 in Saturday's $130,000 Gold Final, with the other elimination winner Simply Stirling starting from Post 5. Paul MacDonell will be in his usual place in Elusive Desire's race bike, one of nine drives the Guelph resident has on the $1 million Gold Rush program.
MacDonell will drive in all four $130,000 Gold Finals, all four Masters Series Finals, and one overnight on the talent laden program, which also features a host of trackside activities. When they can tear their attention away from the thrilling racing, fans of all ages will enjoy pony rides, petting zoos, gold panning games, horse and buggy rides, face painters, roving musicians, free celebrity horse photos, rodeo-style horse performances and much more.
In addition, one fan will have an opportunity to go home $100,000 richer. The fan whose ballot is selected after the eighth race will step into the winner's circle and select one of 100 tempting golden boxes. Each box contains a hidden prize ranging from $500, up to the $100,000 grand prize.
All of the excitement of Georgian Downs' second annual Gold Rush gets under way at 7:25 p.m.
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To view Saturday’s harness racing entries, click here.