LOS ALAMITOS RACE COURSE

at the Barretts spring sale. With a race under her belt, speed to possibly make the lead, KIM K looms a legitimate candidate to wire the field unless the favorite hounds her into submission. With only five runners, this will be the smallest field in the 29-year history of the Barretts Debutante.

SIXTH RACE

Close call in this Cal-bred maiden-50 between up-in-class BUCK DUANE and down-in-class LUCKY MESQUITE. The call is BUCK DUANE, claimed last out from a respectable third in a maiden-20. That was his first start since finishing a close second at this state-bred maiden-claiming level in January. ‘DUANE will make his second start back, first start for trainer Steve Knapp as the one to beat. However, LUCKY MESQUITE drops significantly in class, from Cal-bred MSW. He might be quick enough to make the lead if a frontrunning strategy is desired, and probably benefits by the shorter distance of this five and one-half furlong race. First-time starter R MATINEIGH IDOL appears to have trained fairly well for his debut, while IRISH BALLAD adds some speed.

SEVENTH RACE

Small field, but this $12.5k N2L claiming route might offer wagering value. It’s a good spot to take a shot a price with BOURQUE, whose up-front style could play well in a field without much speed. The last time he raced at Los Al, he finished second at 9-1 odds. BOURQUE could make the lead and get brave. However, WE GO NOW is a potential thorn in his side. ‘NOW has just enough speed to dog the top pick. ‘NOW missed by only a neck last out when he stretched to two turns for the only the second time in his career. It was a good effort by a horse in good current form. HARROVIAN benefits by a return to Los Alamitos, where he is 2-for-4. At other tracks, he is a combined 1-for-19. HARROVIAN finished fourth last out in an unrestricted $8k claiming route; this N2L represents a class drop although the claim price is higher. PIONEEROF THE WEST might be ranked too low by this handicapper, no surprise if he goes favored. His recent figures top the field; he will grind late. This is his easiest chance to score his first win since 2016.

EIGHTH RACE

Another upset candidate as the top choice; SECRET MANEUVER ran better than the low speed figure (50 Beyer) looks in her winning debut. She took dirt inside and behind the leading flight, angled three-wide to attack into the lane, raced greenly but inched clear to win going away. Good, solid debut. She has a right to improve second time out. The possibility of a contested pace complements her off-the-pace style. Due to her low figure, her odds might be attractive. MIDNIGHT MIRACLE enters as the high-figure starter, by 10 points. She crushed maiden-32s last time by more than six lengths, though she benefitted from relatively kind fractions. This time, speedsters are to her inside and outside. Those are MISSMACHUPICCHU and ZIP’S SECRET. Win or lose, they will keep the pace honest.

NINTH RACE

The card ends with a rock-solid favorite. SUPER SOL is the fastest, best horse in this N1X sprint based on his highly-rated maiden victory last out. He set legitimate fractions and drew away by four lengths in a sharp 1:16.82 to earn a 94 Beyer. If he reproduces his Del Mar form at Los Al, this race is history. JAN’S RESERVE drops in class, from two respectable N2X efforts (fifth, fourth) down to N1X/optional $40k claiming. His speed figs indicate he is not far behind the favorite. ROYAL CREED looms an upset candidate, first off the claim by Jerry Hollendorfer with two bullet works since claimed and adding blinkers. This is his first start against older, but he has speed and should keep the top choice honest up front. CATFISH HUNTER is listed as a first-time gelding. THE RULE OF KING’S also has speed. 4961 Katella Avenue, Los Alamitos, CA 90720 (714) 820-2800 Main track: One mile, oval. Distance from last turn to finish line: 1,380 feet.

TAKEOUT INFORMATION ■ Win, place, and show: 16.77% ■ Exacta, Quinella: 24.02% ■ Trifecta, Superfecta, Super Hi-5, Pick 3, Pick 4, Late Pick 5, Pick 6: 25.02% ■ Early Pick 5: 14% ■ Daily Double: 20%

NOTE: A horse which wins a non-winners of $3,000 other than maiden or claiming, or two races, for Calbreds, shall remain eligible for that comparable open allowance race, provided that horse did not win a race other than claiming following that Cal-Bred win. Once a horse has won the two first condition allowance races (Cal-Bred and open), then the Cal Bred win will be disregarded in future allowance races for eligibility purposes only.