‘Elusive’ Aims for Perfection in Bessarabian

The lone sophomore facing off against her elders in Sunday’s GII Bessarabian S. at Woodbine, Elusive Collection (Elusive Quality) will try to extender her unbeaten record at the graded-stakes level for trainer Josie Carroll and owner Ivan Dalos. An easy winner in an all-weather maiden at first asking Aug. 9, the 9-5 crowd’s pick on the morning line came from off the pace to narrowly land the Etobicoke S. at this locale Sept. 6, and fired a best-of-eight five-furlong bullet in 1:00 even Nov. 9. The seven-panel distance remains a question mark, especially with this class hike.

Cactus Kris (Cactus Ridge) defeated Sweet Briar Too S. victress Endless Light (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) in second with GSW Skylander Girl (Stroll) fourth in the Oct. 18 GIII Ontario Fashion S. last time. The Ryan Walsh trainee completed the trifecta behind Marbre Rose (Ire) (Smart Strike)–entering off a sixth-place effort in Belmont’s GIII Noble Damsel S. for Christophe Clement Sept. 19–and Endless Light in the GIII Seaway S. four starts back Aug. 8 before a fourth with Miss Mischief (Into Mischief) third in the all-weather GII Presque Isle Downs Masters S. Sept. 7. Second best to Miss Mischief in the H.B.P.A. S. at Presque Isle Downs Oct. 6, Cactus Kris is back over her favored surface Sunday.