Get ready for 14-race weekend programs

PORTLAND, Ore. - With only two weekends remaining in the abbreviated Portland Meadows meeting, director of racing Jerry Kohls has decided to make the most of limited opportunities. So Kohls carded 14 races for Saturday's program, and will attempt to do the same on Sunday and on both days next weekend.

Judging by the response of horsemen, who entered 137 horses in Saturday's 14 races, there will be no problem filling the races.

Saturday's best race is the 13th, a $6,000 allowance that matches eight of the fastest fillies and mares on the grounds over six furlongs. The feature has lured six stakes fillies, including Diane Kem Handicap winner Missy Muffet and Oregon Hers winner Tiffa. Tiffa will race coupled in the wagering with Get Back Loretta.

Missy Muffet stunned a good field of older runners in the five-furlong Diane Kem in November, when she was a 3-year-old. Missy Muffet shot to the front at the start and drew out to win by more than six lengths at 16-1. She finished second as the 3-10 favorite in her next start, against 3-year-old allowance fillies, however, then ran third to Tiffa in the one-mile Hers on Dec. 15. The return to a sprint distance seems sure to benefit Missy Muffet.

Tiffa, who scored her maiden win at 1 1/16 miles before taking the Hers with a powerful late move, will need a fast and contested pace to be along in time at six furlongs. A fast pace could develop, as multiple allowance winner Wegota Slewzy has shown blistering speed and might match strides with Missy Muffet early.

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