Elusive Stamp Aims High in Armed Services

Elusive Stamp had things his own way in a front-running five-length victory at Gulfstream on Aug. 29, but the son of Elusive Quality’s dominating debut hardly came as a surprise to trainer Lil Klesaris.

“He’s a well-bred colt and he had been working very well. Unfortunately, there was a mishap in the race that gave us an advantage as well. Some of the horses didn’t get their opportunity to run after that, and we took advantage,” Klesaris said. “But we were impressed by the way he did it and the time.”

Elusive Stamp ran big for a little 2-year-old colt, speeding five furlongs on turf in 57 1/5 seconds.

“He’s in the 14-and-change (hands) size. But he’s really well put together, very well balanced. He’s beautiful, but he is little,” Klesaris said. “He doesn’t have any idea about his size. He doesn’t train like that; he doesn’t act like that. He’s got a pretty big ego. He’s very professional. He does everything right.”

Elusive Stamp is entered to represent Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm in Saturday’s $75,000 Armed Forces Stakes. Klesaris has worked for Pope on several previous occasions and was sent Elusive Stamp after she relocated to Gulfstream for the Summer Meet.

 

“I had told her I was planning on staying at Gulfstream year-round. I said to her, if you have anything you might want to send down, let me know. The next thing you know, she said, ‘I’m going to send you this colt.’”

Elusive Stamp arrived from GoldMark Farm in Ocala with high marks from the farm’s general manager and trainer Todd Quast.

“Todd said, ‘What he lacks in size, he makes up for with determination,’” Klesaris said.

 

Elusive Stamp is rated fourth  at 6-1 in the morning line for the Armed Forces behind 3-1 favorite Thirtysilverpieces, Touchdown Kitten and Big Distinction.

 

Source: Gulfstream Park Communications