Icicle Angel, Run Free meet again

PORTLAND, Ore. - Icicle Angel, fresh from a score in the Diane Kem Stakes here on Oct. 25, will take on six challengers in Friday's six-furlong allowance feature.

Icicle Angel, a 6-year-old daughter of La Saboteur from the barn of trainer Richard Occhiuto, came from just off the pace to score a neck decision over Run Free in the Diane Kem, getting six furlongs in 1:13.11. It was the second stakes win and the ninth career victory for Icicle Angel, who boasts $122,122 in earnings. Karen Knapp will again have the mount at 123 pounds.

Run Free will be back for another crack at Icicle Angel after finishing with a rush to just miss in the Diane Kem. A 3-year-old, Run Free was making her first start against older rivals after having posted a pair of victories over her peers last summer at Emerald Downs. Trainer Nub Norton will have the services of leading rider Juan Gutierrez at 117 pounds.

Another 3-year-old, Rhoda Ghost, poses a bold threat in the Diane Kem. Rhoda Ghost, a daughter of Cisco Road and the stakes-winning mare Wegota Ghost, took the summer off after posting three impressive wins from six starts here last season.

In her return to action Oct. 20, Rhoda Ghost led last season's horse of the meeting, Back Street Gal, inside the sixteenth pole before yielding to be beaten less than two lengths after 5 1/2 furlongs. She is the apparent speed of Friday's field and should be set for a top try with a recent race under her girth. Bob Webb will ride for trainer Jim Fergason at 117 pounds.