Chi Hori just keeps getting better

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Chi Hori is an improving filly. Chablis gets an easier assignment. Combined, they give trainer J. Willard Thompson two contenders for Wednesday's feature at Monmouth Park, a $47,500 first-level allowance for New Jersey-bred fillies and mares.

shows steadily improving Beyer Speed Figures in her three starts this season, starting at 33 and rising to 62 last time out in her maiden victory. It is the best last-race Beyer of any horse in Wednesday's mile and 70-yard race.

"They are going north instead or south," Thompson said of the figures. "She's a very nice filly and her last race was a good race."

Chi Hori, named for a Japanese poem, and Greeneggsnsam, are the only 3-year-olds in the nine-horse field. Chi Hori appeared to be on the verge of winning her maiden last fall when the New Jersey season came to an end in November.

"I gave her the winter off," Thompson said. "I took her out to the farm and just played with her all winter. She finally got fit enough."

faced males last time and suffered a 38-length loss.

"She just didn't run her race at all," Thompson said. "I don't know why."

Test possible for Wild Gams, Livermore Valley

Wild Gams and Livermore Valley, the two Monmouth-based fillies in the Grade 1 Prioress Stakes for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park last Saturday, both ran excellent races to finish second and third.

Wild Gams lost by a nose to Wildcat Bettie B after grabbing the lead a furlong from the finish.

"It would have been nice to win but she ran great," said trainer Ben Perkins Jr.

The race unfolded nicely for the New Jersey-bred Wild Gams, who was fifth behind a hot pace.

The next Grade 1 spot for 3-year-old filly sprinters is the Test at Saratoga at seven furlongs, an eighth of a mile longer than the Prioress.

Perkins will consider that race, but it is also possible Wild Gams could face older runners in Monmouth's $100,000 Regret Stakes on Aug. 6.

Livermore Valley, usually a strong pace factor, broke poorly and wound up making a strong late run to get third.

That rally has trainer Jim Ryerson thinking the Test, at seven furlongs, might be a good fit.

"She ran well after a bad break," Ryerson said. "I was surprised with how well she dealt with that against a very good field. Now we'll take a look at the Test."