Crimson Design looks sharp for Mile

PORTLAND, Ore. - Crimson Design heads a field of seven in Saturday's $25,000-added Portland Meadows Mile, traditionally the centerpiece of this 80-day meeting.

The Mile card also includes the $10,000-added Donna Jensen Handicap for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles and the $7,500 Flashaway Invitational Handicap for older sprinters at five furlongs.

Crimson Design, a 5-year-old son of Cisco Road from the barn of trainer Jim Fergason, will carry 123 pounds in the Mile, including regular rider Juan Gutierrez, while conceding from three to 11 pounds to his rivals. Crimson Design, a stakes winner at Emerald Downs as a 3-year-old, is coming off a sharp score here in the March 18 Governor's Speed Handicap at six furlongs.

Fergason will also saddle Tamper, the winner of the William Kyne Handicap earlier at this meeting, but he will not be coupled with Crimson Design owing to separate ownership. Jose Zunino has the mount at 119 pounds.

Crimson Design could get his sternest challenge from Charlie's Pride, who is returning to Portland Meadows after a two-race campaign at Golden Gate. The front-running Charlie's Pride ran off three straight wins over this track to begin his career, but he was unplaced in both of his Golden Gate efforts, against optional claiming and allowance company. Trainer R. G. Pierce has tabbed Ann Sanguinetti to ride at 120 pounds.

The Donna Jensen, which also drew a field of seven, will feature a rematch between Our Girl Pearl and Chancy Chancy, who staged a scintillating stretch duel in the one-mile Sea Champagne Invitational Handicap on March 11. Our Girl Pearl, a 4-year-old daughter of The Deputy trained by Laurie Ansell, prevailed by a neck in the Sea Champagne and she has not raced since. Juan Gutierrez will retain the mount at 121 pounds.

Chancy Chancy, who got the better of Our Girl Pearl in two prior matchups at the meeting, bounced back from her Sea Champagne loss to post a three-length win in a one-mile allowance test here on March 25. Trainer Dave Runyon has named Javier Ortega to ride at 122 pounds.

The Flashaway will mark the return of Slewicide Cruise, who won four straight races, including stakes both here and at Emerald Downs, before being sidelined win an injury in April of last year. Former Emerald riding champ Kevin Radke will ride Slewicide Cruise at 124 pounds after having missed the last two years with a wrist injury.