Yesss looks best in prep for Mile

PORTLAND, Ore. - Yesss, the leading local hope for the $35,000 Portland Meadows Mile April 27, will tune up for the big race in Saturday's feature, an open allowance race at a mile.

Yesss, a 5-year-old son of Abstract and the good producer Sushi Q., is unbeaten in three tries around two turns at this meeting, having won a pair of one-mile allowances and the nine-furlong William Kyne Stakes. The Kyne was his fifth local stakes win, and the last three of those have come in routes.

Less adept at sprint distances, Yesss has suffered all three of his losses at the meet at six furlongs, including a third-place finish in the Governor's Speed Stakes.

In the March 30 Governor's Speed, Yesss finished 6 3/4 lengths behind the victorious Lethal Grande, who established a track record of 1:09 for six furlongs, and a half-length behind runner-up Fit to Bet.

Stately's Choice enters this race having won three of her last four starts, including her last two, and as the lone filly in this field. Stately's Choice's only recent loss was a runner-up effort at six furlongs. She returned from that race to win the Sweetheart Stakes here at 1 1/16 miles and a one-mile allowance race. Owned and trained by Margaret Root, Stately's Choice should receive a stalking trip behind expected pacesetter tee Tommy Slew and has a good chance at the upset.

Rooster Rock is another contender. He returned from a lengthy layoff and won back-to-back races here in February. In his most recent outing, on Feb. 16, Rooster Rock won a nonwinners-of-two allowance at a mile.