'Slewicide' in position to break out

PORTLAND, Ore. - It isn't often that a maiden is favored over two-time winners, but that is likely to be the case on Monday when Slewicide Cruise takes on seven other 3-year-olds in the six-furlong allowance feature at Portland Meadows.

Slewicide Cruise, a Washington-bred son of Slewdledo and the multiple stakes winner Cruisin' Two Su, is winless in four starts, but he has run creditably, meeting tough company in each of his outings. Slewicide Cruise, who is trained by Robbie Baze, twice ran fourth against $32,000 maidens at Emerald Downs before finishing a close sixth in the one-mile Trooper Seven Stakes in his last start there.

Shipped to Bay Meadows, Slewicide Cruise ran second to $32,000 maidens on Oct. 17. He will make his first start at Portland Meadows on Monday, and he may be meeting easier company than he has been despite facing several rivals who have won two races.