Actxotic stands out in Kem

PORTLAND, Ore. - Canadian invader Actxotic will accept a highweight assignment of 122 pounds when she takes on nine other fillies and mares in Sunday's five-furlong, $7,500-added Diane Kem Handicap at Portland Meadows.

Actxotic, a 4-year-old daughter of Noactor from the barn of Mel Snow, was just a cut below the best of her division at the recently concluded Hastings Park meeting, posting three sharp allowance wins and finishing in the money in six of her seven outings. She will be testing the stakes ranks for the first time since her 3-year-old campaign, but has been posting Beyer Figures that indicate she is the one to beat.

Actxotic will concede two pounds to the second highweight, former Portland Meadows horse of the meeting Oh Molly. Oh Molly will be making her first start since mid-summer, when she won 2 of 4 starts while racing on the $20,000 to $16,000 claiming level at Emerald Downs.

Next in the weights are Amberrae and Pimadonna Poppy at 119 pounds. Amberrae won six straight races, including three stakes, last season at Portland Meadows, and is coming off a useful allowance prep in which she finished second to Warlago. Primadonna Poppy, one of two 3-year-olds in the field, beat $12,500 claimers at Emerald for her only win this season and seems to have gotten the worst of the weights.

The speedy Wegota Slewzy, who will carry 118 pounds, and Warlago rate as upset threats. Wegota Slewzy traded decisions with Amberrae here last season, while Warlago surprised that rival in a five-furlong allowance race on Oct. 28.