Portland: Deacon Speakin' upsets Mile, Alec's Moon beats the boys

PORTLAND, Ore. – Deacon Speakin’ ($29.60) scored his first stakes victory, pulling clear in the stretch Wednesday to win the $53,000 Portland Meadows Mile.

The 5-year-old gelding stalked Ladner Lad and Elusive Schemes to the quarter pole in his Portland Meadows debut. Jockey Juan Gutierrez angled him out for room at the quarter pole and opened a 1 1/2-length lead in the lane before pulling away to win by 7 3/4 lengths over Ladner Lad in 1:36.70.

Making his first start for trainer Steve Fisher, Deacon Speakin’ earned $29,150 with his fifth career victory to lift his career earnings to $123,640. Deacon Speakin’ had lost his first three stakes tries by double-digit distances.

In the $32,100 Portland Meadows Derby, Alec’s Moon ($3), who won the Portland Meadows Oaks in January, defeated males to score her second straight win.

The Jerry Hollendorfer trainee owned by Mark DeDominico, John Carver, and Hollendorfer defeated longshot Littleman John by two lengths, covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:47.91 under Kevin Krigger.