'Portage' tops solid entry

The Jerry Hollendorfer-trained entry of Portage Lake and Wacky Jacky should be the betting favorite in Thursday's featured seventh race at Bay Meadows. The six-furlong optional claiming/allowance race is for second-level allowance runners or $40,000 claimers for a purse of $34,000.

Portage Lake appears to be the stronger half of the entry, and she will be handled by leading rider Russell Baze. Last time out, she rallied from just off the pace to score in allowance company over the track. Portage Lake has made only four starts thus far in her career and has already posted two wins, a second, and a third.

Wacky Jacky returns from Arlington Park, where Hollendorfer also maintains a large string and is the leading trainer. She raced twice at the Chicago track, finishing second in allowance company in June and running fourth in her most recent race, a strong allowance feature. Wacky Jacky posted two strong winning efforts here during the Bay Meadows spring meet.

Island Jubilee and From Venus both move into Thursday's feature from stakes and should prove strong threats to the Hollendorfer pair. Island Jubilee was bumped at the start of the Bangles and Beads Stakes at Pomona and never threatened. In her previous start here, during the fair meet, Island Jubilee beat allowance company in a rapid 1:09.

From Venus ships down from Washington and moves into Thursday's race off a second in an overnight handicap.