Surprise entrant may go favored

PORTLAND, Ore. - Three rich stakes for Oregon-bred juveniles will be featured on Sunday's 10-race card at Portland Meadows.

On the Thoroughbred side, a field of eight colts and geldings will run six furlongs in the $28,000-added Bill Wineberg Stakes, while seven fillies will go the same distance in the $20,000-added Janet Wineberg. Ten Quarter Horses will contest the 350-yard Oregon-bred Juvenile Finals for a purse of $21,500 guaranteed.

The purse for the Bill Wineberg swelled to $28,000 when two horses, Ex Mountain Cop and Timely Reaction, were supplemented to the race for $4,000 apiece. Ex Mountain Cop won his maiden in his fourth career start, in the $15,000 OTBA Sales Stakes here Oct. 22. Trainer Jonathan Nance had indicated that Ex Mountain Cop would skip the Bill Wineberg in favor of the Columbia River Stakes on Nov. 19, but he was a surprise entrant on Friday morning. He could be a slight choice over the Jim Fergason-trained Timely Reaction, who is coming off a 7 1/2-length maiden score.

The Janet Wineberg will mark the first appearance at the meeting for Blackies Cuttie, who was undefeated and untested in two starts against good company at Emerald Downs. Blackies Cuttie, trained by Ben Root, appears to tower over her competition.

The Oregon-bred Juvenile Finals will include the winners of three trials here Oct. 22: Mitey Cappuccino, My Fashion Cop, and Hot Properties.