Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. In Desperate Man’s case, luck never came his way. On Saturday, June 7, the husband and wife training team of Travis and Alaina Alexander are hoping luck is finally on their side in the $200,000 USD Battle of Lake Erie (Grade 2) at MGM Northfield Park.
Based off Desperate Man’s earnings in 2024 of $662,774, one would think he had a fantastic season. From a statistical standpoint that would be correct; however, some of the trips that Desperate Man ended up with in the big money events were less than ideal... that was until the $337,838 Aria Invitational at Yonkers Raceway.
“2024 was rough on him; he never seemed to be able to get a clean trip. We’re just thankful that he was on his game at the end of the year,” said trainer Travis Alexander. “If something could go wrong, it did, but he always showed up ready to race.”
The trouble with his six-year-old season began in the Battle of Lake Erie. Desperate Man was on his toes entering the first turn and made a break, completely changing the landscape of the race. Driver Matt Kakaley was able to gather the gelding, getting him back into the race and flew home to finish a strong third.
“That was such an incredible mile,” said Travis. “What he did that night was nothing short of spectacular.”
In the $135,135 Robert J. Kane Memorial at Batavia Downs, entering the far turn a first-over Buzzsaw Russ made a miscue in front of Desperate Man, stopping the pacer in his tracks, but the heart of a champion shined brightly again that night. While Desperate Man lost ground after the incident, Kakaley gathered the son of Shadow Play and went on to win easily in 1:51.3.
Finally, things went Desperate Man’s way over a sloppy track at Yonkers Raceway on International Trot Day. Kakaley wasted no time putting him on the lead in the Aria and never looked back.
“He showed signs of his old self in the Aria; we couldn’t have been prouder of him,” said Alaina.
Following a win in the second leg of the MGM Grand Prix at Yonkers Raceway, his connections decided to shut him down for the year. When he came back for his seven-year-old season, the double millionaire continued to be a force to be reckoned with.
He quickly scored two victories in the last two legs of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series, making him one of the favourites to win the $716,667 Grade 1 final; however, the antics continued with Desperate Man as he made a break entering the backstretch for the final time.
“This is something he has just done his entire life. He’s just so big and his gait is so long, sometimes he gets jammed up and touches somewhere,” said Travis.
While he wasn’t invited to the $136,986 Joe Auger Memorial at Harrah’s Philadelphia, he did race on the undercard in the $68,493 Send It In, defeating Seven Colors in 1:49.3.
The Alexanders have taken all the stress of Desperate Man in stride, as they know more so than anyone how fast life can change. In February, Travis broke his shoulder in three places and his leg, requiring him to be wheelchair-bound and sidelined. Thankfully, Travis healed quickly, but the incident gave the Alexanders a whole new outlook on life.
“We’re thankful that he is back full-time now, and while he is doing way more than he should be, he can’t help it,” laughed Alaina. “His first day back in the jog cart wasn’t easy, but eventually he said, 'I’m just training everyone,' so we went with it.”
As for their stable star Desperate Man, or “Slick” as they know him in the barn, the husband and wife team couldn’t be prouder of the champion, a former North America Cup winner and Horse of the Year owned by Arthur, Ont. trainer Kathy Cecchin.
“He is such a gentle giant who loves to eat, sleep and is a total professional all the time. You couldn’t ask for a better horse to be around,” said Travis.
Post time on Saturday is 6 p.m., with the main event scheduled as the 11th race. Click here for more on the field for the Battle of Lake Erie and MGM Buckeye Distaff.
(With files from Northfield Park)