Misyodl looks solid to repeat

PORTLAND, Ore. - Misyodl is the one to beat when she heads a field of seven 3- and 4-year-old fillies in Saturday's Portland Meadows feature, a six-furlong allowance test for runners who have never won three races.

Misyodl won under identical conditions here on Dec. 6, when she came from sixth position to score by just over a length in 1:15.10. It was the second career win from four starts for Misyodl, a 3-year-old daughter of Swiss Yodeler from the barn of Eric Jensen, who also scored in her 5 1/2-furlong debut against maiden special weight company last March.

What made Misyodl's recent score especially impressive was that she bucked a strong speed bias. Of the nine Thoroughbred races on the Dec. 6 card, six were won by horses who led throughout and two were won by horses who came from second position. Misyodl, who was still third at the furlong marker, was the only winner who did not have the lead turning into the stretch.

Six Strings Down, Misty Leader, and Banker's R.N. followed Misyodl across the wire in order, and all three will be back to challenge her again on Saturday. Six Strings Down benefited from the speed bias on Dec. 6, and Misty Leader and Banker's R. N. were both beaten by more than two lengths, so all three will require significant improvement to reverse the outcome.

Storm Tempest, Blue Atlantis, and Pheasant Run are all coming off wins in their Portland Meadows debuts and may have a better chance to upset.