Smoken Sham ran his record to a perfect two for two as he closed from far back to win the $18,000 Dennis Dodge Memorial Stakes at Portland Meadows. Smoken Sham sat back in the seventh position through the early going as the even money favorite Regal Mind sizzled through opening quarter mile in 21.60. Regal Mind was headed turning for home by the second choice in the wagering, Honour N Defer who started to pull away, but by mid stretch it was clear that Smoken Sham was rallying quickly. Smoken Sham took the lead at the sixteenth pole and widened in the final strides to win by two and three quarter lengths.
Joe Crispin was aboard for the winning ride for owner/breeder Patrick Cosgrove and trainer Ben Root. Smoken Sham completed the five and one half furlong distance in 1:05.60 over the wet fast going.
Honour N Defer held the second spot, almost four lengths in front of Meen Miner who rallied up to finish third. The even-money favorite Regal Mind faded down the lane to finish fifth.
The Dennis Dodge Memorial Stakes is named after the long-time Daily Racing Form writer and handicapper Dennis Dodge, who covered the Northwest tracks for over 30 years, leading up to his passing in 2008