Belmont: Arena Elvira makes comeback seeking repeat in Turnback the Alarm

ELMONT, N.Y. – When Arena Elvira won last year’s Turnback the Alarm Handicap at Aqueduct, it was the third straight victory in what would ultimately become a five-race winning streak.

Saturday, when she seeks a repeat in the Grade 3, $150,000 Turnback the Alarm – this time at Belmont Park – Arena Elvira will hoping to start a new winning streak in what will be her first start in six months.

Arena Elvira tops a field of eight fillies and mares entered in the Turnback the Alarm, a 1 1/8-mile dirt race that shares billing with the Grade 3, $150,000 Bold Ruler, a seven-furlong dirt race, on Belmont’s 10-race card.

Arena Elvira, a 5-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper, has not started since she finished third, beaten 11 lengths, as the 6-5 favorite in the Grade 3 Sixty Sails Handicap at Hawthorne on April 21.

“Her last race was a little disappointing, maybe she wasn’t as good as she had been, and she seemed to struggle with the track a little bit,” trainer Bill Mott said.

Mott said Arena Elvira “wasn’t moving that well” in her training following the Sixty Sails and the decision was made to give her a break.

Arena Elvira resumed training in July and shows nine workouts at Belmont Park since Aug. 23.

“I would have run her a couple of weeks ago if we had a race,” Mott said.

Arena Elvira is the 120-pound highweight for the Turnback the Alarm. She will be ridden by Jose Lezcano from post 6.

Trainer Todd Pletcher has the uncoupled entry of R Gypsy Gold and Maristar in the field. R Gypsy Gold finished sixth in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga while Maristar comes off a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Beldame here on Sept. 29. Maristar will get blinkers for the first time.

Others entered include All Due Respect, Go Unbridled, Nefertini, and Catch a Thief.