Wice O Kat tops males in 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.

Three $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.

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 to win after getting the distance in 1:47.19.

The lone favorite to win a stakes was One Tuft Woeman, who prevailed by three-quarters of a length over Gordys Sweet Jordy in the six-furlong Jane Driggers Debutante for juvenile fillies. One Tuft Woeman, trained by Nick Lowe, paid $5 to win in 1:13.29.