Wild Gams Outlegs 'Diamond in My Juliet

New Farm's homebred Wild Gams collared odds-on choice Fancy Diamond at the sixteenth pole and inched away for a one-length win in the $250,000 My Juliet Stakes at Philadelphia Park May 24.

The three-time grade III winner, a 5-year-old daughter of Forest Wildcat--Diamonds and Legs, by Quiet American, was ridden to victory by Alan Garcia for trainer Ben Perkins Jr.

Wild Gams completed the six-furlong test for fillies and mares in 1:09.81 on a fast track, earning her eighth victory in 20 lifetime starts. She has earned $868,486.

Fancy Diamond, favored at 4-5, set the pace for Cornelio Velasquez in the field of five, carving fractions of :22.51 for the opening quarter mile and :45.78 for the half while building a 1 1/2-length advantage. She gave way grudgingly after being tackled by the eventual winner and wound up two lengths in front of the show horse, 122-pound high weight Jet Away Jane, ridden by Angel Rodriguez.

Wild Gams kept in close contact with the leaders while racing third and well off the rail down the backstretch.

Expected favorite Dream Rush was scratched by trainer Rick Violette in favor of the $150,000 Vagrancy Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park May 25.

Wild Gams was coming off a fourth-place finish in Keeneland's seven-furlong Madison Stakes (gr. II) on Polytrack April 9. The victory was her first since taking the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes at Keeneland last fall.

She carried 114 pounds to victory and paid $7, $2.60 and $2.20 as the second choice. Fancy Diamond returned $2.20 and $2.10. Jet Away Jane was $2.10 to show. Bedside Story and Sheets trailed.

(Chart, Equibase)