OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Saturday's $75,000 Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct is unlikely to produce a starter for the spring classics, but it should give trainer Gary Contessa a better line on what kind of 3-year-old he has in Grey Comet.

After winning all three of his starts against New York-breds, Grey Comet meets open company for the first time in the Count Fleet, run at a mile and 70 yards over the inner track.

"It's an acid test," said Contessa, who saddled his meet-leading 10th winner on Thursday, longshot Toga's Triumph. "I think he's an open company-caliber horse."

The popular belief that there are few talented 3-year-olds during the winter at Turfway Park might have held true in some years, but not in 2003. Great Notion, a speedy 3-year-old colt who is unbeaten in two starts, headlines Saturday's $50,000 Turfway Prevue.

Great Notion, a 3-year-old son of Elusive Quality, has shown high speed and much heart. Dismissed at 26-1 in his debut at Churchill Downs on Nov. 30, he set a pressured pace and gamely turned aside two challenges to win by a nose. He raced six furlongs in 1:09.94.

Steve Asmussen, who saddled more winners than any other trainer in 2002, is in a good position to win the Saturday night stakes at both Sam Houston Race Park in Houston and Delta Downs in Vinton, La.

Asmussen has the probable favorites for both races, with the consistent Term Sheet taking on 11 other older horses at seven furlongs in the $50,000 Sprint Handicap at Sam Houston, and Slam Bam looking to run back to the 93 Beyer Speed Figure he earned last out in the $40,000 Triple Sec for 3-year-olds at Delta.

PHOENIX - Turf Paradise has carded a stakes doubleheader on Saturday.

Komax, a multiple stakes winner over this track, leads a field of nine going 6 1/2 furlongs in the $35,000 Cactus Wren Handicap for Arizona-bred older horses. One race later, Eagleton, another multiple local stakes winner, is the horse to beat among seven in the $35,000 Kokopelli Handicap. The Kokopelli, at a mile on the turf, is for 4-year-olds and upward.

SUNLAND PARK N.M. - Espeedytoo, the New Mexico-bred 3-year-old filly sensation of last year, will take on open company in Saturday's $50,000-added Bold Ego Handicap for older fillies and mares at 5 1/2 furlongs.

ALBANY, Calif. - Trainer Peter Wilson's happy new year was short-lived.

On Wednesday at Golden Gate Fields he sent out Contradiction in a five-furlong $12,500 claiming race. Contradiction won by 2 1/2 lengths, setting a track record of 56.12 seconds, lowering the 56.40-second standard set by Valley Land on April 8, 1990. Contradiction was claimed from the race by Jerry Hollendorfer.

"It would have been nice if I'd kept the horse," Wilson said. "I got elated for the win but disgusted for the bloody claim."

EAST BOSTON, Mass. - Jockey Edwin Molinari is trying to quietly retire, which is fitting considering he didn't make much noise in a successful career as a jockey.

A 37-year-old Puerto Rico native, Molinari is suffering from liver problems and will end his riding career to become the agent for Jose Bermudez, who returns to Suffolk Downs after having ridden at several Mid-Atlantic tracks.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Maybe they have been overshadowed during a precious few seasons, such as when Cigar or Skip Away took up residence here.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Wilzada broke sharply from the gate and jockey Mario Pino began to look around for some pace pressure. It never came.

Thus, Wilzada was able to cruise through relatively easy fractions early and splash home a five-length winner of the $81,850 Interborough Handicap before a crowd of 15,024 at rainy, raw Aqueduct.

Blinded By Love, who challenged Wilzada around the turn, settled for second, a half-length ahead of Bonefide Reason. Shawklit Mint, who was 3 for 3 on wet tracks entering the race, finished a distant fifth.

MIAMI - Nothing to Lose remained perfect on the grass and gave every indication he will be a force in the 3-year-old turf division this season after he drew off to an impressive 1 3/4-length victory in the Grade 3, $100,000 Tropical Park Derby at Calder.

Nothing to Lose ($5.60) had won his previous two starts on grass, including a first-level allowance at Calder less than three weeks ago. He rated four lengths off a contentious early pace, was angled five wide by jockey Jerry Bailey to find racing room entering the stretch, then easily ran past the leaders in late stretch.