Unbeaten pair will be tested

AUBURN, Wash. - Crimson Design and Pool Boy will put their unbeaten records on the line on Monday when they meet seven other 3-year-olds in the $40,000 Pepsi-Cola Handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Crimson Design posted two easy wins at Portland Meadows before extending his streak with a 1 1/2-length victory over Random Memo in this track's six-furlong Auburn Stakes on May 2. Crimson Design, a son of Cisco Road and Crimson Date from the barn of trainer Jim Fergason, figures to go off as the favorite under high weight of 120 pounds.

Pool Boy will be making his stakes debut off a pair of impressive scores over maiden special weight and allowance company. In his most recent outing on May 15, Pool Boy, a son of Slewdledo trained by Tim McCanna, drew off to defeat Count Orange by nearly four lengths after six furlongs in 1:09.40, a clocking that was .40 off Crimson Design's Auburn time.

The undefeated horses might have their hands full with Random Memo, who was making his seasonal debut when second in the Auburn. Random Memo, who is trained by Aubrey Villyard, won 2 of 5 starts last year at Emerald Downs and figures to move forward after tiring late in his return to action.

Spanish Highway, who finished third in the Auburn, just a nose behind Random Memo, is another who poses a legitimate threat. Spanish Highway, a stakes winner in March at Turf Paradise for trainer Bill Tollett, finished fastest of all in the Auburn and should appreciate the added distance of the Pepsi-Cola.