Five sidestep Wild Spirit

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Five trainers who don't want to go through the seemingly futile task of chasing Wild Spirit in Friday's Grade 1 Personal Ensign Handicap have found an easier, albeit far less prestigious race in which to run their fillies and mares.

She's Got the Beat, who finished a well-beaten second to Sightseek in the Grade 1 Go for Wand on July 27, heads a field of five entered in Thursday's $58,000 classified allowance race at nine furlongs at Saratoga. The field includes stakes winners Forest Secrets and Happily Unbridled - who were also humbled in the Go for Wand - as well as Pocus Hocus and Golden Sonata.

She's Got the Beat, a daughter of Sultry Song trained by Phil Johnson, appears to be in the best form of this group. She has not been worse than third in nine starts dating back to last December, and has finished second in her last four starts.

Her last two efforts were in graded stakes. She was the runner-up behind Summer Colony in the Grade 2 Molly Pitcher Handicap at Monmouth in June before finishing 11 1/2 lengths behind Sightseek, while five lengths clear of the rest of the field.

"She did the best she could," Johnson said regarding the Go for Wand. "A real good horse beat her. She's doing well."

Jean-Luc Samyn has the call aboard She's Got the Beat, who gets in light with 113 pounds and breaks from post 3.

She's Got the Beat figures to stalk the probably pacesetter, Pocus Hocus, sent out by Jimmy Jerkens. Pocus Hocus ran several good races last winter and appears to be cycling back to that form, if her last race is any indication. In that race, she set a contested pace and did well to hold third behind the repeat winner Passing Shot.

Thursday, Pocus Hocus may be able to get an easier lead in a field void of speed. Jose Santos rides from post 3.

Forest Secrets, who has competed in 13 consecutive stakes, will be making only the second start of her career in allowance company. She tried to press the pace in the Go for Wand when breaking from the rail, and she finished a well-beaten fifth. She is reunited with Pat Day, the last jockey to win on her. She again breaks from the rail, under high weight of 120 pounds.

Golden Sonata figures a late threat under Jerry Bailey. A 4-year-old daughter of Mr. Prospector, Golden Sonata attempted to savage Passing Shot when second best to that rival here on July 30.