Karakorum Elektra back with the boys

ELMONT, N.Y. - Linda Rice isn't trying to prove a point by constantly running the 5-year-old mare Karakorum Elektra against males. She's just trying to find the appropriate spot in which to run her New York-bred turf sprint specialist.

So, when an entry-level allowance race for fillies and mares at six furlongs failed to fill, Rice entered Karakorum Elektra against the boys in Friday's featured $45,000 first-level allowance at six furlongs on Belmont Park's inner turf. First post Friday is 3 p.m.

Karakorum Elektra has faced males in three of her last four starts, including her last outing, when she overcame significant traffic trouble in midstretch to get up by a head in the final jump. It was her first start in seven months, but Karakorum Elektra ran six furlongs 1:08.88 for her fourth win from 10 starts here.

"There were a few anxious moments," Rice said. "She was struggling to find room and got there in the last jump."

Rice said her ability to find races for Karakorum Elektra has been hampered by rain that has forced 75 races to be taken off the turf at this meet. Rice is hoping Karakorum Elektra's love for this course and distance will carry her through.

"She likes the course," Rice said. "It's the right conditions. She's been in need of a race for a couple of weeks."

Alan Garcia, who rode Karakorum Elektra on May 22, is committed to ride Winthrop House for his main client, Kiaran McLaughlin, on Friday. Meet-leading rider Ramon Dominguez has the call on Karakorum Elektra.

Two horses in the field have the pedigree to suggest they'll like the Belmont turf. Fateh Field, owned by Godolphin Stable, is out of a mare who is a half-sister to Merit Wings, who went 3 for 3 on the Belmont turf. Rick Mettee, who oversees Godolphin's New York string, said Fateh Field "is a bit of a character," and noted that jockey Jean-Luc Samyn, who is named to ride, has been working the horse in the mornings. Samyn has won races in the past for Godolphin, aboard Formal Decree and Palace Episode.

Galan Fete, owned by Shadwell Stable and trained by Danny Peitz, ran well in his debut here last November but disappointed in two starts at Oaklawn and in his seasonal debut here. Peitz is hoping the turf turns him around. The dam of Galan Fete, Fete Galante, is a half-sister to the multiple group stakes winner Freedom Cry, who was beaten a neck by Northern Spur in the Breeders' Cup Turf run here in 1995.