$8K claimer a battle of speedsters

PORTLAND, Ore. - The outcome of Monday's Portland Meadows feature should be decided early, as the four most likely win candidates in the six-furlong dash for $8,000 fillies and mares all appear to need the lead to succeed.

Chancy Chancy, trained by David Runyon, has posted all 11 of her wins on the front end. Chancy Chancy is primarily a router, however, and she has just one win from 12 tries at the six-furlong distance. Though she is fresh, having been off since April, Chancy Chancy may not have enough speed to get to the front when sprinting.

The same may be true of both Scattering and Maid in Monroe. Scattering, trained by Dan Tanory, has just one win from 14 tries at six furlongs. Maid in Monroe, a Debbie Van Horne trainee, is winless in five attempts at six furlongs.

The fourth front-runner, Gana Hawk, may be in the cat-bird's seat. Gana Hawk, a 4-year from the barn of trainer Carlos Moreno, clearly has enough speed to lead, and she has posted 2 wins from 8 tries at six furlongs. In addition, she has shown the most inclination to stalk of any of the four speedsters in Monday's headliner. In her last win, which came at the expense of allowance rivals here last spring, she came from third position to score by three-quarters of a length in 1:13.20 for six furlongs.

Rider Jose Zunino would appear to have the option of sending Gana Hawk to the front or placing her just off the other three speedsters for an ideal stalking trip.