Wice O Kat best in Os West Oregon Futurity

PORTLAND, Ore. - Wice O Kat won the centerpiece of Saturday's Oregon Championship Day program at Portland Meadows, edging male competition in a thrilling renewal of the $41,780 Os West Oregon Futurity at a mile.

Wice O Kat, a 2-year-old daughter of Katowice who races for Mr. and Mrs. William Johnson, finished resolutely under Twyla Beckner to prevail by a scant nose over A Colt Named Sue, with Abtastic just another head back in third. Wice O Kat, who is trained by Jim Fergason, paid $9.40 to win after getting the mile in 1:41.80.

A trio of $10,000 stakes were also contested, and two of the winners were saddled by trainer Ben Root. Root sent out Americas Pride to score by 7 1-2 lengths over the favored Kya Jo in the one mile Oregon Hers for 3-year-old fillies, which was run in 1:39.69. Americas Pride, a daughter of Baquero who races for Margaret Root and Vogt Stable, paid $8.60 to win under Felipe Valdez.

In the next race, the Oregon His for 3-year-old colts and geldings at 1 1-16 miles, Root and his mother, owner Margaret Root, repeated with Might E Man, who won by nearly two lengths while making his first start since April. Might E Man, a homebred son of Baquero, returned $11.00 to win after getting the distance in 1:47.19 under rider Brian Theriot.

The lone favorite to win a stakes was One Tuft Woeman, who prevailed by nearly a length over Gordys Sweet Jordy in the six furlong Jane Driggers Debutante for juvenile fillies. One Tuft Woeman, a daughter of Danjur who races for Stephen and Angeline Rubin and is trained by Nick Lowe, paid $5.00 to win under Tim Neal in 1:13.29.