Tall Pines the highweight in handicap

PORTLAND, Ore. - Tall Pines will carry a steadying impost of 126 pounds when she shoots for her fifth straight win in Sunday's Portland Meadows feature, a one-mile invitational handicap that has drawn a field of seven fillies and mares.

Tall Pines, a 4-year-old daughter of Pine Bluff from the barn of trainer Jim Fergason, was claimed by owners David Green and Just Horsen Around Stable out of a win against $10,000 sprinters at Emerald Downs in September. Since arriving at Portland Meadows, she has posted a four-length win in the six-furlong Diane Kem Stakes, a 10o1/4-length win over invitational handicap rivals at six furlongs, and a four-length win in another invitational handicap at a mile. In her most recent outing, she led throughout the mile in 1:39.40 while carrying 125 pounds under regular rider Joe Crispin. Crispin again has the mount on Sunday, when Tall Pines will break from the outside post.

Bullishdemands seems capable of challenging Tall Pines if she can handle the mile distance. A stakes winner here last season, Bullishdemands finished second to Tall Pines in the six-furlong handicap on Nov.o6. In two prior tries at a mile, however, she finished fifth in Emerald's John and Kitty Fletcher Stakes and seventh as the 7-10 favorite in last season's City of Roses Handicap at this track. Bullishdemands, a 4-year-old daughter of Bull Inthe Heather who is trained by Gene Davis, will carry 120 pounds with Marijo Terleski riding.