Desperate Man continues to thrive in his new scenery as the former Canadian Horse of the Year pocketed the victory in the $32,000 Open Handicap Pace at Yonkers Raceway on Monday (Dec. 11) evening.

Covered Bridge (Jordan Stratton) fought for the lead with a :27.3 opening panel while Desperate Man (Brent Holland) jumped into second along the pylons. Covered Bridge controlled the tempo with two more panels in :56.3 and 1:24.2. At the third quarter panel, Desperate Man tipped to the outside in search of the lead. Down the lane, Desperate Man found his open track and kept going to win by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:51.3. Covered Bridge had to settle for second and Jahan Hanover (Jason Bartlett) rounded out the top three.

Travis Alexander trains the five-year-old Shadow Play gelding while racing stateside for Kathy Cecchin of Arthur, Ont. Desperate Man moved his career tally to 16 wins with $1,239,001 earned. His U.S. stint has produced five wins and one third in six starts. He paid $3.50 to win as the bettors' choice.