Elusive Quality Represented by First Winner

Mr. Elusive, one of 77 foals in the first crop by Elusive Quality, became the first winner for that sire when he won Friday at Santa Anita.

Jocelyn Dickey McKathan's 2-year-old Kentucky-bred completed the quarter-mile dash in :21.18 after dueling with Enduring Freedom and Newport Nikki through an :11.06 opening furlong. The Danny Velasquez trainee beat the favored Wesley Ward-trained Newport Nikki by a length at the wire. He was ridden by Paul Atkinson. Mr. Elusive finished second in his first career start.

Elusive Quality (Gone West--Touch of Greatness, by Hero's Honor) won nine of 20 career races, including the Jaipur (gr. IIIT) and Poker (gr. IIIT) Handicaps as a 5-year-old. In winning the one-mile Poker Handicap in 1:31.63, he set a world record for the distance. Elusive Quality also set a seven-furlong track record at Gulfstream Park while making his first 4-year-old start. The Bill Mott trainee won his debut race by 11 1/2 lengths. He retired with earnings of $413,284 and stands at Gainsborough Farm for a fee of $10,000.

Another horse from Elusive Quality's first crop starts at Keeneland Sunday. Ronny Werner-trained Adopted Daughter is the 8-5 morning-line favorite in a 4 1/2-furlong race at the Kentucky track.

More, No Surprise: Werner Saddles Second Juvenile Winner of Keeneland Meet