Crispin decision noteworthy

PORTLAND, Ore. - Is record-setting rider Joe Crispin touting us on Monday's featured event at Portland Meadows?

Crispin, who comes into Monday's 67th day of racing with an astonishing 176 wins at the meet, has been the regular rider for two top contenders in the feature, a six-furlong dash for older $4,000 claimers. He has ridden Slightly Danjurous to 4 wins in his last 6 starts and he has ridden Quebra Mar to 2 wins in his last 3 outings. He will ride neither of those contenders on Monday.

Crispin, on the advice of agent Mike Delnick, will instead ride Keep on Turkin, a 6-year-old son of Turkoman who was claimed by trainer Jim Fergason out of his last start for $2,500 on March 19. Keep on Turkin ran second that day, but he won his previous outing for the same $2,500 tag and he has the best recent Beyers of any horse in the field.

Keep on Turkin will be coupled in the wagering with another Fergason trainee, Wegota Cisco, who finished one position behind Keep on Turkin in each of his last two appearances.

Heading the opposition to the Fergason-trained entry are Slightly Danjurous and Quebra Mar, plus Tectite. Tectite, a 6-year-old son of Bertrando from the barn of trainer Jim Keen, has posted back-to-back wins over restricted $3,200 claimers in his last two races.

Rounding out the field of six is Macarthur Landing, who is coming off a third against $4,000 rivals in a mile and 70-yard test on Feb. 13. Macarthur Landing has won 2 of his last 5 starts while being ridden by - you guessed it - Joe Crispin.