Elm Drive, Roses for Debra to Clash in Giant's Causeway

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.