'Americas' short price in Wineberg

PORTLAND, Ore. - Americas Pride will be an overwhelming favorite when she takes on six rivals, all maidens, in Saturday's six-furlong Janet Wineberg Stakes for Oregon-bred juvenile fillies.

Americas Pride won three races at Emerald Downs last summer, including the 6 1/2-furlong Knights Choice Stakes. She concluded her campaign with a strong second to Sala de Oro in the $75,000 Barbara Shinpoch stakes at a mile Aug. 31.

Though she has not raced since the Shinpoch, Americas Pride has logged three workouts over the local oval for trainer Linda Northam, including a three-furlong blowout last Friday in 35.60 seconds. Owners Al Adams, David Israel, and Jack Garrison put up $3,096 to supplement Americas Pride to the Wineberg, which sports a purse of $15,480.

The owners claimed Americas Pride, a daughter of Baquero and Americas Avenue, out of a win for $16,000 at Emerald and supplemented her to both of her stakes engagements at that track.

Though none of Americas Pride's challengers have won, All About Mary ran second in three of her four starts at Emerald before finishing sixth in her local debut against maiden special weight company on Oct. 25. Rolland Fergason, who trains All About Mary for George and Rose Hurliman, is looking for an improved effort on Saturday.

"I think she was a little short that day, and I know she didn't like running down on the fence," he said. "She was on the fence in her only bad race in Seattle, too, so I'm hoping she'll draw outside this time."

All About Mary will break from post 5, with Americas Pride to her immediate outside.