'Aaron' tries for fourth straight win

PORTLAND, Ore. - Typhoon Aaron will attempt to stretch his undefeated string to four when he takes on 10 challengers at Portland Meadows in Saturday's $7,500 Flying Lark Stakes at six furlongs.

Typhoon Aaron, a 3-year-old son of Danjur who races for Standish Stables, won his debut by more than five lengths against $10,000 maidens on Oct. 23. He came back to upset his highly regarded stablemate Tomorrow's Turn in the six-furlong Columbia River Handicap in November, then proved that effort was not a fluke when he beat Tomorrow's Turn in last month's Juvenile Mile.

Typhoon Aaron has won all three of his races in gate-to-wire fashion, but trainer Jim Fergason said making the lead is not required.

"He has natural speed and he has been falling out of the gate on top, but I don't think it will make a whole lot of difference if he has to come from behind," Fergason said. "He seems to do whatever we ask of him."

Tomorrow's Turn has been turned out, but Typhoon Aaron will face several new challengers in the Flying Lark.

Swiss Creek is coming off an impressive debut win over maiden special weight company on Jan. 8, while Ahnold and Cattail Lake came to hand with daylight wins over maidens in their most recent outings.

* The Flying Lark will share top billing with the $7,500 Memorial, a 350-yard dash for 3-year-old Quarter Horses. The race has drawn the exceptional filly One Fast Trick, who is 7 for 8.