Impressive maiden winner Elm Drive being pointed to Sorrento Stakes
Elm Drive will start in the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes for 2-year-old fillies on Aug. 6 at Del Mar after an eye-catching win by eight lengths in her debut in a maiden special weight race last Saturday at Los Alamitos.
Ridden by Juan Hernandez for trainer Phil D’Amato, Elm Drive led throughout as the 4-5 favorite, finishing five furlongs in 57.67 seconds. Elm Drive had been based at Los Alamitos with D’Amato’s assistants Linda Thrash and Mary Donald.
“She trained sensational,” D’Amato said.
D’Amato said the $200,000 Sorrento Stakes at six furlongs is a “nice progression.”
“She came out of the race in good shape,” D’Amato said. “She would face a whole different category of horses, but she won with plenty of reserve.”
The winners of other maiden special weight races in coming weeks will likely be part of the Sorrento field.
Trainer Jorge Periban said last weekend that At the Spa, winner of the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Debutante on June 20 at Santa Anita, is under consideration for the Sorrento, but could retreat to the statebred division for the $100,000 CTBA Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 5.