Wegota Slewzy back for more

PORTLAND, Ore. - Wegota Slewzy will attempt to pick up where she left off last season when she heads a stellar field in Saturday's six-furlong Diane Kem Handicap at Portland Meadows.

Wegota Slewzy, a 6-year-old daughter of Tip on Slew, ended the last meeting here with consecutive scores in the six-furlong City of Roses Stakes and two six-furlong allowance tests. In each race, she sprinted clear early and drew out to score by daylight under regular rider Bob Webb, who has the mount on Saturday.

Despite Wegota Slewzy's sharp form, trainer Jim Fergason elected to turn Wegota Slewzy out after her seven-length allowance score on April 19.

"It wasn't that hard of a decision," he said. "I have turned her out every year, and she has responded well. This year she has come back to work especially well, so I'm hoping she'll have another big meeting."

Wegota Slewzy enters the Kem off three bullet workouts that culminated in a five-furlong drill in 1:01 on Oct. 14.

Wegota Slewzy figures to get her sternest challenges from Icicle Angel, who is coming off a win over $20,000 claimers at Emerald Downs on Sept. 20, and Nichole's Delight.

Nichole's Delight, an Oregon-bred daughter of Jeff's Companion, shipped here from Phoenix last December and won the one-mile Oregon Hers Stakes by more than six lengths. She has not raced since last March, when she chased Wegota Slewzy home in the City of Roses, but she has been working steadily for trainer Rolland Fergason, who is campaigning here for the first time in four years.