Taptam could be tested by Pyramyst in Wigwam

Taptam will try to return to her winning ways Saturday afternoon, when nine talented older fillies and mares contest the $100,000 Wigwam, the sixth race on a nine-race card at Hoosier Park.

A 5-year-old mare trained by Bret Calhoun, Taptam won her first two outings of the year at Oaklawn Park in late January and early February. Although she is winless since, she has finished second in three of her last four starts, including the Grade 1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn against winner Zenyatta on April 9. In her most recent out July 7 at Indiana Downs, Taptam was beaten a neck in the Shelby County Arts at 1 1/16 miles, the same distance as the Wigwam. Francisco Torres will ride for the first time.

Should Taptam not take to the Hoosier Park surface, Pyramyst could surprise. A consistent 8-year-old mare trained by Peter Walder, Pyramyst has finished out of the money once in 14 starts since the beginning of 2009 while campaigning at eight tracks. She has finished out of the money twice in 20 starts at 1 1/16 miles. In her most recent outing Aug. 16, she won an optional allowance by two lengths. Luis Garcia will ride for the first time.

Linda’s Lace will try to continue her dominance over the Hoosier oval in the $84,000 Merrillville, which is run at six furlongs and goes as the fifth race on the card.

Trained by Robert Zahl, Linda’s Lace won her last local outing Aug. 7 in a six-furlong race. Although it was her first win of the year, Linda’s Lace has won 8 of 18 starts at Hoosier with four seconds. She has an off-the-pace style that should suit her well in the Merrillville, since there is plenty of early speed in the field of 11 Indiana-bred older fillies and mares. Francisco Torres retains the mount.

Cheer for me Girls is one of four talented 3-year-old fillies facing older stakes company in the Merrillville. Trained by George Leonard, Cheer For Me Girls comes into the Merrillville off a local allowance win Aug. 12 going six furlongs. It was her fourth win in six attempts. Leandro Goncalves retains the mount.