Beyers give Bonnie Vaille big shot in Lassie

Bonnie Vaille didn't get much respect in her first race at Portland Meadows, and even though she'll again sport the best last-race Beyer in the field, she does not find herself the morning-line favorite for Wednesday's $18,000 Lassie, a 5 1/2-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies.

There's a logical explanation for that as she'll be facing Miss Cygogne, twice third behind the top juvenile filly at Emerald Downs, Knight Raider, in the Knight's Choice and Barbara Shinpoch there.

Miss Cygogne is the 5-2 morning-line pick, while Bonnie Vaille, a Robert and Bonnie Baze homebred, is listed at 3-1.

Despite having the best last-race Beyer, a 36 earned in a $12,500 maiden claimer at Emerald Downs, Bonnie Vaille paid $7.80 for her maiden win over odds-on Borte in her Oct. 12 Portland Meadows debut. Bonnie Vaille went wire to wire in that win, shaking off Shame on Rosie's challenge at the quarter pole of the five-furlong race and winning by five lengths. She earned a Beyer Figure of 51.

But Robert Burney, her rider that day, opted to ride Miss Cygogne on Wednesday. Seth Martinez gets the call on Bonnie Vaille and they will break from post 7 in the eight-filly field.

Miss Cygogne was claimed from a 10 1/2-length win in her debut, a $7,500 maiden claimer at Emerald in July. She makes her Portland Meadows debut with John Maloney taking over the training chores for Bill Thompson.

In addition to her stakes placings, she ran second in a $20,000 claimer at Emerald and was eighth in the Diane Kem there in her last start on Sept. 13. Miss Cygogne received a 48 Beyer in the Diane Kem, and a 59 for her third-place Barbara Shinpoch finish two starts back.

Borte is the lone maiden entered in the Lassie. She will be ridden by Troy Stillwell, who coming into Monday was tied for the jockey lead with Joe Crispin with 20 victories.

Shame on Rosie finished second in Bonnie Vaille's maiden victory, and then won her maiden. She is the third choice on the morning line at 4-1 and could be the beneficiary if a speed duel develops.

Shame on Rosie has an accomplished family. All six of her siblings have won, four have earned black type, and two have won stakes.

Also in the Lassie are Miss Current Sea, a wire-to-wire winner at Hastings in her Oct. 31 debut; Australia, a winner in her debut, which came for an $8,000 claiming tag here; Amanda's Turn, who is coming off a win; and Teralisha, third in her last start.