Graded stakes winner Elm Drive looms a major threat for trainer Phil D'Amato when she returns from a six-month layoff in Saturday's Grade 3 Desert Stormer going six furlongs on the main track.
Installed as the 6-5 morning-line favorite for her comeback, Elm Drive has been sidelined since Sept. 24 when she finished sixth in the Weather Vane Stakes at Pimlico going six furlongs. The Weather Vane was the anchor leg of a two-race eastern excursion for Elm Drive that ended her 2022 campaign. Prior to the Weather Vane, she was sent to New York and transferred to trainer Michelle Nevin where she tried the Grade I Test at Saratoga on Aug. 6. She finished seventh.
Now back with D'Amato, Elm Drive has been preparing for her comeback since early December. On Monday, the 4-year-old Mohaymen filly had her final tune-up when working five furlongs in 1:00.40 under jockey Ramon Vazquez.
D'Amato noted Elm Drive has been pointed to this spot for about a month. In a field of six, she will break from post five with Vazquez aboard for the first time.
“She's happy and fresh, and has had two nice drills over the track,” D'Amato noted. “Ramon breezed her last time and thought she was ready to go. She drew a nice outside post, which should help, and I'm sure he'll have her out there in a nice forward position.”
Elm Drive made just four starts last year with her lone win coming in the Angels Flight Stakes here in May. Her biggest victory came as a 2-year-old in the Grade II Sorrento at Del Mar.
Despite the lengthy layoff and persistent rain this winter which has hindered many training schedules, D'Amato is expecting a strong effort from Elm Drive on Saturday.
“She's had a lot of foundation,” D'Amato said of Elm Drive's training. “We've had her back for a long time. The rain has only prevented us from running earlier.”
The Desert Stormer goes as the eighth race on Saturday with a scheduled post time of 4:37 p.m. The co-second choices at 3-1 are Stella Noir, who moves to dirt after 10 starts on turf for trainer Keith Desormeaux; and Dance to the Music, who lures the services of Santa Anita leading rider Juan Hernandez for her second start off a nearly six-month layoff. She is trained Mark Glatt.
The field in post position order: Violent Runner, Edwin Maldonado (4-1); Half Past Twelve, Tiago Pereira (8-1); Dance to the Music, Juan Hernandez (4-1); Elm Drive, Ramon Vazquez (6-5); Stella Noir, Luis Contreras (3-1).
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