Miss Sharpy a consistent late-runner

PORTLAND, Ore. - Miss Sharpy will be the one to deny in Sunday's top offering at Portland Meadows, a 5 1/2-furlong test for $12,500 claimers that has drawn a field of six 2-year-old fillies.

Miss Sharpy has been a model of consistency through four starts at this meeting, posting a win and three seconds. The stretch-running Miss Sharpy caught maiden special weight rivals going 5 1/2 furlongs in her third start on Feb. 11, then came back to run second at six furlongs against $12,500 company in her most recent outing, on Jan. 29. Miss Sharpy, a half-sister by Sharp Victor to former horse of the meeting Mishill, is trained by owner Eric Jensen, who also owned and trained Mishill. Regular rider Marijo Terleski retains the mount at 122 pounds.

Miss Sharpy should have a lively pace to target, as all five of her opponents like to race on or very close to the lead.

Thatsthewayluvgoes appears to be the speed of the speed, however, and she should be coming up to a top try in her third start at the meeting. Thatsthewayluvgoes, a maiden winner last fall at Emerald Downs, tired badly to finish seventh at the $12,500 level in her first start here on Jan. 29, but she held on much better when she finished fifth to $10,000 foes on Feb. 18. She figures to be fully fit with two recent races under her girth, and trainer Robbie Baze will add blinkers to her equipment on Sunday in hopes of enhancing her considerable early foot. Jose Zunino has the mount at 120 pounds.