Elm Drive turns in Test breeze for Nevin

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The imposing presence of Matareya will keep the starting lineup for the Grade 1 Test to a minimum, although it has not deterred the connections of the Santa Anita-based Elm Drive from sending their filly east to take on the Acorn winner in the prestigious seven-furlong fixture for 3-year-old fillies here Saturday.

Elm Drive is owned by Little Red Feather Racing and trained on the West Coast by Philip D’Amato. She has been prepared for the Test by Michelle Nevin, who sent the Grade 2 winner out to breeze five furlongs in 1:01.31 shortly after the renovation break on Monday. The work was the third for Elm Drive since arriving locally and joining Nevin’s barn shortly after her third-place finish in the Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes at Los Alamitos on July 4.

“We’ve had her here about three weeks and she’s a lovely filly, very quiet, very sensible, and very easy to be around,” said Nevin, who also trains and is partners with Little Red Feather Racing in the multiple New York-bred stakes winner My Boy Tate. “The work this morning was nothing special, we just let her travel along easily and she did it nicely.”

Elm Drive has captured three of six starts, including the Grade 2 Sorrento in just her second outing a year ago at Del Mar. Nevin said Manny Franco will have the mount in the Test.

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“I’m not sure what the plan is for her after the race Saturday, but I’m hoping and praying they keep her in New York,” said Nevin. “She’s really a nice little filly.”

A field of five or six is shaping up for the Test with Matareya and Elm Drive expected to be joined in the starting gate by Hot Peppers and Sterling Silver, who finished first and third, respectively, in the Grade 3 Victory Ride at Belmont Park on July 9, along with Chi Town Lady for trainer Wesley Ward. November Rein is listed as a possible starter by the racing office.

Trainer Cherie Devaux had also considered running Tarabi in the Test following her victory in the restricted Wilton Stakes here opening day, although she will be forced to bypass the race after her filly got sick and missed a recently scheduled work.