Snip N Dale seeks fifth straight win

PORTLAND, Ore. - Quarter Horses will take center stage Sunday when Portland Meadows presents the finals of the $35,400 Far West Futurity, a 400-yard race for 2-year-olds that has drawn a full field of 10.

Snip N Dale won the fastest of three qualifying heats and looms as the one to beat. Snip N Dale, a son of Okey Dokey from the barn of trainer Scott Raley, has won four races in a row since finishing third in his first two starts. He won the $40,000 Portland Meadows Futurity here at 350 yards on Nov. 4 before winning his 400-yard qualifying heat in 20.50 seconds on Dec. 2. Joe Crispin, who rode the winners of all three qualifying heats, has elected to ride Skip N Dale in the finals.

Raley also saddled the winners of the other two qualifying heats, Victorysgotalotahope and Cold Mountain. Victorysgotalotahope, a son of Shazoom, collected his second win from seven starts when he won his qualifying heat in 20.85 seconds. Clark Jones will pick up the mount.

Cold Mountain, a son of Panther Mountain, has won 2 of 5 starts, including a qualifying heat in 20.70 seconds. Danny Boag will ride.

While the Raley-trained trio will race uncoupled owing to separate ownership, three horses trained by Matt Hayden will race as a single entry. Hayden will saddle Red Sorvine, Tiny Heiress, and Catlow Gulch, who all happen to be fillies. Catlow Gulch races for her trainer, while Red Sorvine and Tiny Heiress race for Hayden Brothers Ranch.