'Be Still' faces five in sprint

PORTLAND, Ore. - Be Still My Heart will attempt to get back on the winning track when she shoots for her third score in her last four starts in Friday's best race at Portland Meadows, a six-furlong race for 3-year-old Oregon-bred fillies eligible to be claimed for $8,000.

Jonathan Nance, who leads the trainer standings with eight wins from 32 starters, had high hopes for Be Still My Heart when he started her in last year's OTBA Sales Stakes. Be Still My Heart went off favored in that race but was soundly beaten by eventual the Oregon-bred 2-year-old champion Lethal Grande, and she endured four more losses before collecting her maiden win Feb. 10, the last day of the 2001-2002 meeting.

Be Still My Heart picked up where she left off on opening day of this stand, Oct. 19, when she led throughout to defeat $4,000 claimers, going six furlongs in 1:13.29. She came back to show the way again before settling for third against $4,000 starter allowance company last time out on Nov. 2, and she again figures as the one to catch on Friday. Leading jockey Juan Gutierrez will ride.

Be Still My Heart has five rivals in the headliner, including recent winners Savanna's Folley and Happyhazel. Savanna's Folley beat $4,000 foes at six furlongs Oct. 26, while Happyhazel beat $8,000 maidens at the same distance a day earlier.

Also in the lineup are Centsible Wager and Tualatin Honey, the third and fourth finishers in an allowance sprint on Oct. 19, and Coy Miss, who set the pace before fading to fifth in a Nov. 1 allowance dash.

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