Won Ton Dulley eyes fifth Mayor's Cup in row

PORTLAND, Ore. - Quarter Horses will take center stage on Monday in the $6,000-added Mayor's Cup, an 870-yard stakes that has attracted a field of six older runners at Portland Meadows.

Monday's 11-race program begins the final week of racing at the 2006-07 Portland Meadows meeting. Racing will continue on Tuesday and conclude on Saturday, when the Oregon Derby will be the local highlight and the Kentucky Derby will be the national centerpiece.

Won Ton Dulley will be trying for a fifth straight win in the Mayor's Cup, which will go as Monday's second race. Won Ton Dulley, an 8-year-old son of Adash for Cash who is trained by Jimmie Hill, has won all three of his starts at the current Portland Meadows meeting, including an 870-yard stakes. He has not raced since

Jan. 22, when he won an allowance test at 870 yards, but he worked 660 yards earlier this month and he has a history of running well fresh. Joe Crispin will ride at 125 pounds.

Won Ton Dulley will face a stiff challenge from Ra Queen of Hearts, a 6-year-old mare who has posted two 870-yard wins for

trainer Don Young at this meeting. Ra Queen of Hearts comes off a strong second in a wide-open 770-yard allowance race at Sun Downs in Kennewick on April 8 and will be trying to cash in on her fitness advantage over Won Ton Dulley. Becky Abernathy, who was up for both of Ra Queen of Hearts' local wins this season, will have the mount at 124 pounds.

Also a threat is Cr Isle Be Baq, who upset Ra Queen of Hearts in his first try at 870 yards on Feb. 26, when both raced for a $5,000 claiming price.