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Beckner shines in return to track GRANTS PASS -- Twyla Beckner has a special spot in her heart for Grants Pass Downs. She began her riding career as a 17-year-old at the local track and was the leading jockey here two years ago. Beckner missed the entire GPD meet last year because of a broken back sustained in the spring of 1998 at Portland Meadows. But the 22-year-old jockey from Albany returned to the half-mile dirt oval in a positive way Saturday during the opener of the 43rd annual GPD race meet at the Josephine County Fairgrounds. Beckner piloted second choice Tickles Prince to the victory in the feature $2,000-added Inaugural Handicap before a crowd of 1,450. Tickles Prince, trained by Beckner's dad Bob, returned $6.40 to win on a $2 ticket. Longshot Brother Bennie, with Myra Truitt in the saddle, placed second. Race favorite C.B. Biscuit, assigned top weight of 122 pounds by racing secretary Trese Walker, ran a disappointing fourth in the six-horse field. C.B. Biscuit finished ahead of Tickles Prince in their last matchup April 3 at Portland Meadows. While Beckner won the feature on the 10-race card, Truitt had the most productive day for a jockey. The Grants Pass rider posted two victories and four seconds in seven mounts. Truitt won the second race, a $2,500 thoroughbred claimer, on 5-1 shot Toastyto and brought Sis Q Calico to the wire first in the 5 furlong sixth race for thoroughbreds. Jockey Joe Crispin, the leading rider during this past season at Portland Meadows, had two winners in his first action at GPD. Racing continues today with a 10-race card beginning at 1 p.m. The feature event is the $2,000-added Southern Belle Handicap for fillies and mares. Saturday's Results FIRST RACE TB Mdn, 4 F. 1, Predicable Heir (J. Crispin), 3.60, 2.80, 2.60; 2, Rhythmofthereins (M. Truitt), 4.40, 3.20; 3, Hunters Bessawing (T. Skaggs), 3.00. Q -- 2-4 $8.20; TRI -- 4-2-1 $40.20. Time -- :52.31. SECOND RACE TB Clm, 4 F. 1, Toastyto (M. Truitt), 12.80, 4.00, 3.80; 2, Confession Time ((M. Barber), 4.00, 3.20; 3, Nick Of Gold (D. Braden), 4.20. Q -- 1-2 $30.60; TRI -- 2-1-8 $325.20; DD -- 4-2 $24.60. Time -- :52.74. THIRD RACE QH Mdn Clm, 350 yds. 1, Barrymore Sue (T. Skaggs), 5.40, 3.80, 3.00; 2, My Nickel (D. Braden), 3.80, 2.60; 3, Kabetogama (H. Kent), 5.20. Q -- 4-8 $16.40; TRI -- 4-8-1 $86.60. Time -- :18.03. FOURTH RACE QH Clm, 350 yds. 1, Royal Guitar (H. Kent), 10.60, 4.60, 2.80; 2, Fly Navy (J. Crispin), 4.00, 2.40; 3, Shoo Be A Race Horse (E. Montehermoso), 3.40. Q -- 3-5 $12.00; TRI -- 3-5-7 $112. Time -- :17.93 FIFTH RACE QH Clm, 350 yds. 1, Gia Possibility (D. Braden), 39.60, 14.60, 5.60; 2, Holly Go Easy (M. Truitt), 7.60, 3.00; 3, Miss Ascending Moon (E. Montehermoso), 4.60. Q -- 1-7 $89.40; TRI -- 1-7-4 $1599.60. Time -- :17.98. SIXTH RACE TB Mdn Clm 5 F. 1, Sis Q Calico (M. Truitt), 5.20, 3.20, 2.80; 2, Mo's Misty (J. Crispin), 4.20, 3.40; 3, Preorita (B. Abernathy), 3.80. Q -- 3-4 $8.60; TRI -- 3-4 $124.80. Time -- 1:06. SEVENTH RACE TB Clm, 4 F. 1, King Of The Cards (R. Luark), 8.60, 3.40, 3.60; 2, Emerald Prospector (M. Truitt), 3.20, 2.80; 3, Achy Breaky Jake (H. Kent), 4.00. Q -- 6-7 $12.60; TRI -- 7-6-5 $297.20. Time -- :53.89. EIGHTH RACE Mixed Breed Clm, 600 Yds. 1, Legacy Elect (M. Barber), 10.40, 4.00, 3.00; 2, Dollys Designer Dude (T. Beckner), 3.60, 2.60; 3,Petites Czar (J. Crispin), 2.40. Q -- 1-3 $12.60; TRI -- 3-1-6 $42.80. Time -- NT. NINTH RACE TB Hdcp, 5 F. 1, Tickles Prince (T. Beckner), 6.40, 4.00, 2.40; 2, Brother Bennie (M. Truitt), 6.00, 2.60; 3, Day Drop (R. Luark), 3.20. Q -- 4-5 $47.40; TRI -- 4-5-1 $825.20. Time -- 1:04.14. TENTH RACE TB Clm, 5 F.1, Cisco's Tuffy (J. Crispin), 13.60, 5.40, 5.00; 2, Royal Fire (T. Skaggs), 5.60, 4.20; 3, Dakota Dunes (E. Montehermoso), 6.20. Q -- 3-4 $24.80; TRI -- 3-4-8 $1,134.60; DD -- 4-3 $39.00; Time -- 1:05.65. Attendance -- 1,450; Handle -- $55,597. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.