Returning from a three-month hiatus, sprinter Elm Drive will run the shortest race since her maiden win in the April 13 Giant's Causeway Stakes (G3T). The $300,000 contest is run over 5 1/2 furlongs at Keeneland and features a field of 12 fillies and mares that are 3 years old and older.
After dropping the Las Cienegas Stakes (G3T) Jan. 14 at Santa Anita Park, trainer Phil D'Amato gave his charge some time off.
Little Red Feather Racing's Kentucky-bred daughter of Mohaymen has 16 races to her credit with four on turf including the last three. But since she broke her maiden at Los Alamitos Race Course in June 2021 at five furlongs, she has always gone at least six furlongs. The turf and shorter distance may play into her ability to "pounce," as D'Amato told BloodHorse last year.
Standing in her way may be Roses for Debra, returning after a ninth-place effort in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Santa Anita her last time out. Before that, the Liam's Map mare had top-three finishes in all but one of her 10 starts.
She's raced at the distance three times, hitting the wire first twice—the 2023 Smart N Fancy Stakes and Caress Stakes (G3T)—representing her last two victories.
Not to be discounted is Play the Music. The 4-year-old Mo Town filly trained by Mark Casse has had a strong start to the year with a pair of victories following a third.
Entries: Giant's Causeway S. (G3T)
Keeneland, Saturday, April 13, 2024, Race 7
- Grade IIIT
- 5 1/2f
- Turf
- $300,000
- 3 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
- 4:12 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Play the Music (KY) | Jose L. Ortiz | 122 | Mark E. Casse | 5/1 |
| 2 | 2Bling (KY) | John R. Velazquez | 122 | Victoria H. Oliver | 6/1 |
| 3 | 3Jill Jitterbug (KY) | Luan Machado | 122 | Ryan D. Walsh | 50/1 |
| 4 | 4Oeuvre (IL) | Jareth Loveberry | 122 | Chris M. Block | 8/1 |
| 5 | 5B G Warrior (KY) | Albin Jimenez | 122 | Hugo Andrade | 12/1 |
| 6 | 6Secret Money (KY) | Tyler Gaffalione | 124 | Brendan P. Walsh | 15/1 |
| 7 | 7Port Townsend (KY) | Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. | 122 | Cherie DeVaux | 20/1 |
| 8 | 8Roses for Debra (PA) | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | 124 | Christophe Clement | 4/1 |
| 9 | 9Kissed by Fire (MD) | Mike E. Smith | 122 | Peter Eurton | 10/1 |
| 10 | 10Breeze Easy (GB) | Julien R. Leparoux | 122 | Wayne M. Catalano | 30/1 |
| 11 | 11Elm Drive (KY) | Luis Saez | 122 | Philip D'Amato | 7/2 |
| 12 | 12Love Reigns (IRE) | Joel Rosario | 122 | Wesley A. Ward | 8/1 |
| 13 | 13High Class (KY) | Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. | 122 | Steven M. Asmussen | 10/1 |
