At Saratoga on Saturday afternoon, a field of twelve 3-year-old fillies sprinted 7 furlongs on the main track in the $250,000 Darley Test Stakes (G1) before an announced attendance of 28,141. Prioress Stakes winner Dream Rush was bet down to 5-4 favoritism with Acorn winner Cotton Blossom sent off as the 4-1 second choice coming off a third place finish in the Delaware Oaks in her last start. Prioress third place finisher Silver Knockers was the 9-1 third choice, despite going winless since February.
Jockey Eibar Coa sent Dream Rush to the lead soon after the start and she easily opened up an uncontested 3-length lead, through quick fractions of 22.26 and 44.59. 11-1 shot Sheets stalked the pace second, while Cotton Blossom avoided traffic trouble taking a wide path back in seventh. Entering the homestretch, Dream Rush accelerated away from the field, widening her advantage to 5 1/2 lengths at the 1/8 pole. 30-1 outsider Boca Grande closed with a rush late but was no match for Dream Rush, who held her safe by 2 lengths in 1:22.42 over the fast track. A neck separated Boca Grande and third place finisher 10-1 Baroness Thatcher, while Cotton Blossom took the turn wide and failed to show any rally late, finishing tenth.
