Unbeaten 'Gal' tries going a mile

PORTLAND, Ore. - Back Street Gal, unbeaten in three starts, takes on six other 3-year-old fillies in Sunday's one-mile, $10,000 Mt. St. Helens Stakes at Portland Meadows.

Back Street Gal, a homebred daughter of Cisco Road and Mi Moment who races for Bill Hepperle, is already a stakes winner twice over, having scored in the Lassie and Ms. stakes, both at six furlongs. She has never attempted a mile, however, and she will be doing so on Sunday after a layoff of nearly two months.

Trainer Jim Fergason said he will not use the time away as an excuse.

"She has been working steadily, and she seems fit," he said. "I really don't think the distance will be a problem. She has worked a mile twice now, and she handled it fine. She rates very well, and most horses who will rate can get at least a mile."

Back Street Gal might get her sternest opposition from Carlyn Road, another double stakes winner and another daughter of Fergason's successful stallion Cisco Road.

Carlyn Road, who races for breeder, owner, and trainer Carol Duby, captured the six-furlong Jane Driggers Debutante in December and is coming off a game win in the one-mile Mary Goldblatt Stakes on March 16.

The field's third stakes winner is Janet Wineberg winner Our Lucky Kiss, who faded to fourth in the Goldblatt after dueling with Chancy Chancy for the early advantage. With Chancy Chancy sitting out Saturday's stakes, she figures as the one to catch.

Rounding out the field are Klassy Kira, Gauge, Crown of Pearls, and Corarrow.

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