'Victorys' looking to one-up rival

PORTLAND, Ore. - Quarter Horses take center stage at Portland Meadows on Sunday in a pair of stakes, including the $45,000-added Far West Futurity for 2-year-olds at 400 yards.

Victorys Hope was the fastest qualifier for the Far West Futurity, with a clocking of 20.35 seconds, and he figures to be favored on that basis. A son of Red Hot Rhythm trained by James Glenn Jr., Victorys Hope won his trial heat by a length over Cpr First Feature in just his second local outing. He raced previously in California, where he never finished worse than fourth in six starts.

Cpr First Feature defeated Victorys Hope by a neck in the Oregon-bred Juvenile Finals on Nov. 13 and will be back to run Sunday. A daughter of First Down Cash trained by Scott Raley, Cpr First Feature has won 3 of 6 starts and has never finished worse than third.

Raley will also saddle Two Dash to Fame, who won the other trial heat for the Far West Futurity, scoring by nearly two lengths in 20.47. Two Dash to Fame won the PM Futurity here last April and has won 5 of 9 starts.

Also on Sunday's card is the 870-yard Candy Cane Handicap, which has drawn a field of six to vie for a purse of $5,000-added.

Yucca Ducka Ya Ya figures to be favored after tuning up with a fourth to My Crowning Glory in a 350-yard allowance on Nov. 26. Yucca Ducka Ya Ya won the 870-yard Mayor's Cup in his previous local outing in April.