Mile feature appears up for grabs

PORTLAND, Ore. - Eight sharp fillies and mares, six of whom have won already this year, will square off in Friday's one-mile feature for $4,000 claimers at Portland Meadows.

Even the two entrants without a 2002 win are racing in good form. Salty Looker just missed the cut-off, defeating $4,000 runners at a mile on Dec. 29. Tangerine Girl is coming off a second and a third against $2,500 starter allowance foes in her last two outings.

Peach's Adventure and Hi Ho Ginger seem likely to vie for the favorite's role, however. Peach's Adventure scored an impressive 4 1/2-length victory over $2,500 starter allowance company at a mile on Jan. 5, when Tangerine Girl was second. She came back to run fourth, finishing behind both Hi Ho Ginger and Tangerine Girl, in a six-furlong race under the same starter allowance conditions on Jan. 19, but should benefit from the return to the mile distance.

Hi Ho Ginger posted an authoritative victory over $3,200 company at 5 1/2 furlongs just last Sunday. The 6-year-old Hi Ho Ginger has been sprinting , but she posted a mile win over $3,500 starter allowance rivals here last April and seems ready to stretch out again.

Toogoodforthewife must also be respected. She proved she fits under Friday's conditions in her most recent outing on Jan 21, when she missed by just a head to open $4,000 fillies and mares after a mile in 1:44.65.

Toogoodforthewife drew the favorable rail post with regular rider Twyla Beckner up at 121 pounds. A ground-saving trip may be all she needs to score.

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