Nevin being patient with Touchofstarquality

ELMONT, N.Y. – Touchofstarquality, a third-level allowance winner here May 21, is being pointed to the $100,000 State Dinner Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on July 4, trainer Michelle Nevin said Friday.

Touchofstarquality came off an eight-month layoff to win his race by 2 1/4 lengths, beating Shaman Ghost, who finished third and came back to win last weekend’s Grade 2 Brooklyn.

Nevin said she and owner Samantha Siegel chose the State Dinner over a race like the Grade 2 Suburban on July 9 because “we just want to get there bit by bit.”

“We don’t want to [overmatch] him straight away,” Nevin said.

Meanwhile, Nevin said her plans for next Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Bed o’ Roses Handicap are “up in the air.” She has both By the Moon and Paulassilverlining nominated. Paulassilverlining has won the Distaff and Vagrancy – both Grade 3 stakes – in her last two starts. By the Moon finished fourth in the Vagrancy.

Nevin said she is considering waiting for Saratoga to run Paulassilverlining, with the Grade 1 Ballerina on Aug. 27 the ultimate goal.