Hillbilly Desire made a dramatic “last-to-first” move in the stretch to capture the $9,000 final leg of the Emergency Squads of Virginia Pacing Series Wednesday afternoon at Colonial Downs.
Owner/trainer Amanda Jackson’s filly earned a first leg division win on opening day in 1:52.3, but opted for a conditioned race away from the series last week, where she scored a tight runner-up finish in 1:53.3.
Overlooked Wednesday, at 9-1, Hillbilly Desire left from post eight and was buried in last through the first three fractions. Betting choice Poker Champ got to the front early and cut quarter panels of :28.3, :56 and 1:24.3. Scott Woogen’s entry of K J Anita and K J Hannah, the second wagering choices, had been second and third respectively through the turn and maintained those positions until mid-stretch. Driver Herman Hagerman, meanwhile, went three-wide with eventual winner Hillbilly Desire exiting the turn, passed three rivals by mid-stretch and then another trio in deep stretch before nipping Poker Champ at the wire by half a length in 1:53.1.
Jackson’s Real Desire filly now has five wins in seven starts at Colonial Downs.
Colonial Downs presents a 10-race card Thursday at 1 p.m., including four odd distance races.
(Colonial Downs)