Khalila gets tested for class

ELMONT, N.Y. - Since being elevated to a Grade 1 in 2001, the Prioress Stakes has become the goal for every trainer with a talented 3-year-old filly sprinter. The Prioress, to be run on July 8, is the goal for the fillies set to run in Friday's $65,000 Queen of Song Stakes at Belmont Park.

A field of 10 was entered for the six-furlong Queen of Song, but trainer Todd Pletcher said he plans to scratch India. Five of the nine remaining fillies are stakes winners, but the most intriguing runner in the field could be one who hasn't won a stakes, Khalila.

A daughter of Elusive Quality, has looked most impressive winning her first two starts by a combined 14 1/4 lengths. In her last effort, Khalila won an allowance race here by 10 lengths despite running in just three shoes. A temperamental filly, Khalila dislodged a shoe in the detention barn, and a blacksmith could not reshod her in time.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin received permission from the stewards to let the filly run wearing three shoes, though she was allowed to run for purse money only. McLaughlin said he needed to run her that day in order to remain on course for the Prioress.

Khalila appeared to win easily, but McLaughlin cautioned, "She's probably giving her all out there, because that's her personality. I don't think there's a whole lot more in the tank if you get to whipping on her. But, she's very talented."

Khalila will likely have to deal with other speed types such as , if she runs. Trainer Stanley Hough said he might scratch Sensation because she drew the rail.

A solid pace could set things up for Wild Gams, a daughter of Forest Wildcat who began living up to expectations during the winter. Before she ever raced, trainer Ben Perkins told owner Ebby Novak Wild Gams could be the best filly the two have had.

Wild Gams has gone 3 for 3 this year, including a victory in the Grade 3 Cicada over Aqueduct's inner track on March 18. Perkins said Wild Gams suffered a splint bone injury that forced her to miss some training time, but she has been working steadily the last few weeks. On Tuesday, Wild Gams worked four furlongs at Monmouth Park in 47.40 seconds.

"You could tell she started to come around when she ran on the inner track," Perkins said. "She showed the ability we always thought she had."

Silvestris is 2 for 2 on off tracks, and her success is usually predicated on how well she breaks.