Calder: No catching Wild Speed

Wild Speed had never won beyond six furlongs, had not run in three months, and was recuperating from both a lung infection and some foot problems. Despite all that uncertainty, she was still good enough to outsprint seven rivals to register a three-quarter-length victory over Midtown Miss in the $75,000 U Can Do It Handicap at Calder.

As expected, Wild Speed controlled all the pace in the 6 1/2-furlong U Can Do It. Under regular rider Carlos Olivero, she shook loose from early pursuers Kuanyan and Wise and Precious entering the stretch before withstanding a final surge by Midtown Miss. Midtown Miss finished best of all down the middle of the track to be second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of the wide-running Tigi.

Wild Speed, a 4-year-old daughter of Forest Wildcat, covered the distance in 1:18.43 over a fast track and paid $3.20 as the favorite. The victory was the third straight stakes win for Wild Speed, all coming since she was turned over to trainer Jose Garoffalo by her owner-breeder, Victoria Farm Inc., earlier this year.

"We had to scratch her from the Princess Rooney because of a lung infection, and with her quarter crack problems it's pretty much a day-to-day thing with her," said Garoffalo.