Mantis Leaves Playfair Field Without A Prayer

Mantis went right to the front over a sloppy track Saturday and cruised to a 4-length victory over heavily favored Flying Huey in the $11,000 Children of the Sun Handicap at Playfair Race Course.

Ridden by Marty Wentz, Mantis covered the 1-mile distance in 1:41-2/5, 6 seconds off the track record but the best time of the season. He paid $7.80 to win. Flying Huey, a superior mudder that had won five straight races at Portland Meadows, was the heavy favorite. Ought To Burn, Playfair’s horse of the meeting in 1995, finished third.

Veteran jockey Frank Best rode five winners on the nine-race program. He matched the best feat of the season and took over fourth place in the standings from Gary Gavica, who is recuperating from serious injuries suffered in a spill last week.