Extra 16th may decide Srematch

PORTLAND, Ore. - Gordys Sweet Jordy and Wice O Kat, who finished one-two in an invitational handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs here a month ago, will be rematched at six furlongs in Saturday's $7,500 Ms. Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

Gordys Sweet Jordy, who is one of three from the powerful barn of trainer Ben Root in the field of six, won her last meeting with Wice O Kat in gate-to-wire fashion, hanging on to score by three-quarters of a length in 1:07.40 under regular rider Melissa Peery. In her prior outing, Gordys Sweet Jordy ran a good second to One Fast Woeman in the six-furlong Jane Driggers Debutante on Oregon Championship Day, Dec. 11.

Wice O Kat's most notable victory came on Oregon Championship Day, when she outgamed the boys for a nose win in the Oregon Futurity at a mile. Though she could not catch Gordys Sweet Jordy in her last outing, she was gaining in the late stages and should appreciate the added sixteenth on Saturday. Javier Ortega will take over the mount.

Both Gordys Sweet Jordy and Wice O Kat may have to take a back seat in the wagering to Gordys Sweet Jordy's stablemate Quartern, who has won 2 of her 3 starts. Quartern, a daughter of Danjur, is coming off an authoritative 3 1/2-length victory over One Tuft Woeman in the six-furlong OTBA Stallion Stakes on Jan. 1 and appears to be improving with every race. Twyla Beckner, who is the regular rider for both Wice O Kat and Quartern, has elected to stay with Quartern in the Ms.