'Stevie' gets more class relief

PORTLAND, Ore. - An evenly matched field of six 3-year-old and 4-year-old fillies will contest Saturday's best race at Portland Meadows, a 5 1/2-furlong dash for $10,000 claimers.

Stormin Stevie, a 4-year-old trained by Laurie Ansell, is dropping off a second-place finish against allowance rivals and may be the class of the field. Before her runner-up effort, Stormin Stevie finished sixth of seven in the one-mile Oregon Hers Stakes on Oregon Championship Day, Dec. 31. She graduated at the maiden special weight level here in October. Stormin Stevie will be ridden by Clark Jones at 122 pounds.

Stormin Stevie will be trying to catch Silver Misty, a gate-to-wire winner over maiden special weight winners on Jan. 1. Trained by Corky Caron, Silver Misty came back to show the way for $12,500 sprinters in a six-furlong race on Jan. 29, but tired late to finish fifth behind Ole's Honor.

Proud'n Adorable also looms a threat after winning her only start, which came against maiden special weight company on Jan. 7. Proud'n Adorable pressed the early pace in that five-furlong race, then dropped back to sixth on the turn before coming on again to win by 3 1/2 lengths

Rounding out the field are Fettles Klan and This Girl's Good, both recent winners over maiden special weight company, and Thatsthewayluvgoes, a debut winner September at Emerald Downs.

First post for Saturday's nine-race card is scheduled for 12:35 p.m.