In Search of Fame looks good

PORTLAND, Ore. - Quarter Horses take center stage at Portland Meadows on Sunday, when the track presents the $6,000-added Autumn Handicap for 3-year-olds and up at

350 yards.

Only four horses will challenge In Search of Fame, who looms a short-priced favorite off his record of 19 wins from 34 starts and more than $100,000 in earnings. In Search of Fame, a 6-year-old son of Dash Ta Fame who races for The Victory Group, has been at his toughest on this surface, winning 16 of 18 career starts here.

In Search of Fame has not raced since June, when he lost by a head in a 440-yard stakes at Boise, but he has two fast local workouts recently for trainer James Glenn Jr.

He must tote a highweight assignment of 128 pounds while breaking from the sometimes disadvantageous rail post, however - so an alert beginning could be crucial. Danny Sandoval will ride.

In Search of Fame faces distinguished rivals in Mayhegobuggy, a winner of 28 races for more than $50,000 in earnings, and Phils Legacy, a stakes winner of nearly $50,000. Phils Legacy edged Mayhegobuggy in his last race, an allowance at Grants Pass in June, but Mayhegobuggy came back with two subsequent wins at Prineville and Walla Walla.

Another possibility is Micro Meter, the lone 3-year-old in the line-up. Micro Meter, a stakes-winner at 350 yards here last year, comes in off a decent sixth-place finish against $20,000 claimers at Los Alamitos in September.

The Autumn Handicap is the fifth of 10 live races; first post is 1 p.m.