Colony Lane wearing for-sale tag

Trainer Jim Fergason and owner David Green will dare their fellow Portland Meadows horsemen to claim Colony Lane on Sunday, when he drops to the $6,250 level in search of his sixth straight win in the six-furlong feature for older sprinters.

Colony Lane, a 7-year-old son of Majesterian, has crushed his opponents in his last four outings, all here. After posting an 11 3/4-length victory over $5,000 rivals in his local debut on opening day, Colony Lane returned to defeat $8,000 company by 11 1/4 lengths on Nov. 12. He beat $10,000 foes by 8 1/4 lengths on Nov. 27 before again defeating $8,000 company by four lengths in his last outing on Dec. 11.

Colony Lane, a stakes winner, was claimed by his current connections for $15,000 last summer at Emerald Downs. Much of the reason he hasn't been claimed again at this track is that Oregon rules prohibit a claimed horse from being taken out of state for at least 90 days. Since higher-level claiming races rarely fill at Portland Meadows, anyone claiming Colony Lane for more than about $6,250 would risk having few opportunities to run him for three months.

What about claiming him for $6,250? It will be interesting to see if anyone takes the dare.

Colony Lane figures to be a strong favorite over six rivals.

Sharing the spotlight with the Thoroughbred feature will be the $6,000 Candy Cane Handicap for Quarter Horses at 870 yards.