Latest Desire, a recent private purchase addition to the Virgil Morgan Jr. Stable, paid early dividends with an eye-popping 1:50 score in Miami Valley’s Saturday (February 4) $22,000 featured Open Pace.
Driver Simon Allard worked out a second-over trip for the seven-year-old Real Desire gelding before breezing by pacesetter Angelo J Fra (Chris Page), who finished third, and nailing first-up Lucky Lime (Kyle Ater), who raced gamely to finish second, in the final strides. While Real Desire’s stretch brush was quickest of all, it also covered a little more ground as he was drifting dramatically during the final furlong of the race.
The partnership of AWS Stables, Fairway Stables and Milton Leeman — all of Ohio — purchased the winner of $368,936 in early January and were making their second start with Latest Desire since he joined the Morgan Stable. In his initial start at Miami Valley a week ago, he was desperate for racing room in the stretch, but found none while pacing a 1:51.4 mile including a :27.2 final panel.
Five other races were timed quicker than 1:52 on the powerful Saturday night program. Smoke Up Johnny (Tyler Smith) captured the $16,500 Open II in 1:51.4, Sir Mammo (John DeLong) won a non-winners of 10 races condition/claimer in 1:51.4, Return To Sender N (Tyler Smith) was a come-from-behind 1:51.3 winner in a $20,000 claimer, Rock Out (Jason Brewer) copped the $30,000 claimer in 1:50.3, and Hickory Icon (Trace Tetrick) the non-winners of $8,000 last four top condition pace in 1:50.4.
There will be no racing at Miami Valley on Super Bowl Sunday, but racing will resume Monday afternoon with a 2:05 p.m. post time. Featured on that card will be four divisions of a Survivor Series for $5,000 claiming mares. The 40 entrants will be reduced to 20 for a pair of $7,500 second round eliminations and then culminate in a $15,000 championship on February 27. On Tuesday afternoon, 78 $5,000 horse and gelding pacers will begin their Survivor Series, which will feature a $20,000 final on February 28.
(Miami Valley Raceway)