'Bullish' seems hard to beat

PORTLAND, Ore. - Bullishdemands will be the one to beat at Portland Meadows when she takes on six rivals in Saturday's City of Roses Handicap, a one-mile stakes for fillies and mares with a purse of $10,000.

Though just a 3-year-old, Bullishdemands has dominated the filly and mare division at this meeting with handy wins in the Diane Kem and the Matinee Girl, both at six furlongs. Bullishdemands, a robust daughter of Bull Inthe Heather trained by Gene Davis, has been winning with quick moves on the stretch turn under rider Marijo Terleski, who again has the mount. Bullishdemands will carry high weight of 122 pounds and will concede from four to eight pounds to her rivals.

The most intriguing challenger to Bullishdemands might be Our Girl Pearl, who gets in under 114 pounds with Danny Boag riding. Though she has only raced once, Our Girl Pearl made a lasting impression, winning by 13 1/2 lengths over maiden special weight company on Nov. 20 Our Girl Pearl ran five furlongs in 59.80 seconds.

Also a threat is Wine at Dawn, who twice finished second to Bullishdemands before posting a sharp win over allowance rivals on Nov. 27. She ran six furlongs in 1:13.20.

Rbeei is shooting for her third win without a loss since being claimed by trainer Delmer Webb in October.