Polytrack surface lures Wild Gams

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - American shippers captured both Woodbine stakes last Sunday, and Wild Gams could be the next successful raider from south of the border when she runs in Sunday's $150,000 Bessarabian Stakes.

Wild Gams, a New Jersey-bred trained by Ben Perkins Jr., has started twice on synthetic surfaces this year. She took the Grade 3 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes on Polytrack at Keeneland in October, and was second in the Sept.o15 Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes on Tapeta.

Perkins said he has had the seven-furlong Bessarabian in mind for Wild Gams because it will be run on Polytrack.

"She's run well on synthetic surfaces, and came off her last race pretty good," said Perkins. "She had a break in the summer, and we wanted to try her once more this year. This looked like the best spot around."

Perkins said he believes Wild Gams's ninth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Monmouth is a throw-out.

"It was really sloppy that day, and she never got a hold of the track," Perkins said. "She hit herself a little bit. We just discounted the race."

Wild Gams breezed a half-mile in 50.80 seconds here Tuesday.

"We were happy with the way she worked," said Perkins. "She finished good."

The Bessarabian will be the swan song for the consistent 5-year-old Count to Three, according to trainer Mark Frostad. She will be bred to Smart Strike next year, he said.

Count to Three, who was fourth in the 2006 Bessarabian, is winless in seven starts this year. She was a front-running third in the Grade 3 Seaway Stakes in September, and then ran second as the favorite in the allowance prep for the Ontario Fashion Stakes.

"She ran a good race in the prep," said Frostad. "She was stuck down on the inside, which wasn't the best trip for her. She's a tough filly. She always shows up. She always gives her best."

Most recently in the Nov. 3 Ontario Fashion, Count to Three finished second to the recently retired champion older female from last year, Financingavailable.

Frostad is concerned with Count to Three's five-furlong work in a bullet 59 last Sunday.

"She went too fast," said Frostad. "She did it nicely, but I would have preferred a 1:02."

Dance to My Tune, who beat Ontario-bred 3-year-old fillies two weeks ago in the Jammed Lovely Stakes, is also in the 10-horse field.