Kingsview has threat: Speed Trial

PORTLAND, Ore. - A full field of 12 sprinters, 3 and up, will vie under $4,000 starter allowance conditions in Sunday's highly contentious six-furlong feature at Portland Meadows.

While opinions will differ about who is the one to beat in Sunday's headliner, it is a good bet that Kingsview will be the one to catch. A 7-year-old son of Feu D'enfer, he has had the lead after a quarter-mile in his last 11 outings, and in most instances he has been able to open a daylight advantage. Kingsview, who has raced at Hastings Park throughout most of his career, held on to the wire in his local debut, posting a 4 1/2-length victory over $4,000 starter allowance rivals in 53 seconds for 4 1/2 furlongs. He was favored to repeat in his last start against $5,000 claimers on Nov. 24, but yielded late to K. O. Boots while holding second, beaten 3 1/2 lengths after six furlongs in 1:13.96. Kingsview was claimed out of that race by trainer Delmer Webb, who has named Twyla Beckner to ride at 122 pounds.

Kingsview will be meeting last-out winners A Knight Mission, Twice Deceived, and Dragon Six, but Speed Trial may be his most formidable foe. Speed Trial is coming off a very poor outing against allowance rivals on Dec. 1, but he posted impressive wins in his two prior races, including a six-length score over $6,250 rivals at a mile on Nov. 12. Trainer Pat Sonnen is at a loss to explain Speed Trial's recent failure, but has hopes that the 4-year-old will regain his earlier form based on his training activity since that race.

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