Portland Meadows: Deacon Speakin' successfully defends title in Mile

Deacon Speakin’ successfully defended his title in the $37,800 Portland Meadows Mile on Monday, holding off fellow Northern California invader When We Met for a three-quarter-length victory. Lesson in Deceit rallied for third, 13 1/2 lengths behind When We Met.

Under Luis Torres, Deacon Speakin' stalked the pace of See Ya Later Slew, took the lead into the stretch, and finished the one-mile race in 1:37.08. When We Met rallied behind Deacon Speakin' and couldn't catch him.

Deacon Speakin', owned by Paul Hagemann and trained by Steve Fisher, paid $10 as the second choice to even money When We Met.