Two rivals can break deadlock

PORTLAND, Ore. - Quiz the Maid and Pete's Dolly will be rematched in Saturday's best race at Portland Meadows, a $7,000 overnight handicap at a mile that has drawn a field of seven fillies and mares.

Quiz the Maid and Pete's Dolly first met in a similar race on Dec. 4, when Quiz the Maid staged a remarkable stretch rally to collar the pacesetting Pete's Dolly near the wire in 1:39. It was the seventh win from nine local starts for the 4-year-old Quiz the Maid, who is trained by Jim Fergason.

The two met again in the one-mile City of Roses Handicap on Dec. 26, but the anticipated showdown failed to materialize because Quiz the Maid was taken up on the first turn to avoid a fallen horse. Pete's Dolly, a 4-year-old from the barn of trainer Ben Root, went on to win that race by 2 1/2 lengths over Callie Mae in 1:40.20.

Chancy Chancy finished third in both the Dec. 4 race and the City of Roses, but continues to show improvement and may be ready to resume the form that saw her win two straight route stakes at last year's meeting. Chancy Chancy, a 5-year-old, is owned and trained by Dave Runyon, and on Saturday she will be ridden by Melissa Peery for the first time.

Also dangerous is Kya Jo, who upset Quiz the Maid in last year season's Oregon Oaks. Kya Jo, trained by Jonathan Nance, has two seconds and a third from three starts at the meet and comes off a runner-up effort behind Americas Pride in the one-mile Oregon Hers Stakes on Dec. 11.