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 team of Travis and Alaina Alexander are hoping luck is finally on their side in the $200,000 Grade 2 Battle of Lake Erie at MGM Northfield Park.
Based off Desperate Man’s earnings in 2024 of $486,840, you would think he had a fantastic season. From a statistical standpoint you would be correct, however, some of the trips that Desperate Man ended up with were less than ideal, until the $250,000 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 6-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 Alexander. “What he did that night was nothing short of spectacular.”
In the $100,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial at Batavia Downs Gaming, entering the far turn a first-over Buzzsaw Russ made a miscue in front of Desperate Man stopping the gelding 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 the pair would go on to win easily in 1:51 3/5.
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 and the pair never looked back in the $250,000 Aria Invitational.
“He showed signs of his old self in the Aria, we couldn’t have been prouder of him,” said Alaina Alexander.
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 7-year-old season, he 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 favorites to win the $516,000 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 Alexander.
While he wasn’t invited to the $100,000 Joe Auger Memorial at Harrah’s Philadelphia, he did race on the undercard in the $50,000 #Senditin defeating Seven Colors in 1:49 3/5.
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 Alexander 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 (Travis) 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 star Desperate Man or “Slick” as they know him in the barn, the husband-and-wife team couldn’t be prouder of their champion.
“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.
The Battle of Lake Erie program will have several great wagering opportunities including a $25,000 estimated Pick-4 pool beginning in Race 11 and a $20,000 estimated Super High-5 in Race 13, the MGM Buckeye Distaff.
Post time on Saturday is 6:00 p.m.
-edited release (by Michael Carter for MGM Northfield Park)