'Elttaes' owns string of bullets

PORTLAND, Ore. - Star of Elttaes will make his Portland Meadows debut in Monday's feature race, a 5 1/2-furlong sprint for older allowance runners.

Star of Elttaes, a career winner of seven races and nearly $80,000, was claimed by owner Amy Thurmond out of his last start at Hastings on Nov. 22, a 6 1/2- furlong race for $8,000 optional claimers. The 6-year-old Star of Elttaes won that outing by a resounding six lengths and was transferred to the care of red-hot local trainer Jacqui Navarre, for whom he has registered four straight bullet workouts.

Star of Elttaes will take on six rivals, including the streaking Muscovy. Owned and trained by Emery Alderman, Muscovy has put together back-to-back wins over $10,000 claimers at six furlongs, including a three-length score in 1:12.34 in his last start on Jan. 24. He appears primed to take the jump into allowance company.

Two other double winners at the current meeting, An Naabi and Donnys Dimund Slew, will be laying in wait for Star of Elttaes.

Rounding out the field are Hastings invader Stately Jack Flash, Emerald Downs shipper Top Pop, and Rusty Boy, who raced last at Lethbridge Park in Canada.

Stately Jack Flash, a 4-year-old, was a stakes winner here as a 2-year-old. He raced last summer at Hastings, where was second against $35,000 company and third against $15,000 rivals in four starts, all at 6 1/2 furlongs. He has worked steadily and quickly for his 2004 debut and should be a solid fit in this spot.