LOS ALAMITOS : Four Sires Stakes Finals to Open Harness Season

Tonight’s opening of the 102-night harness racing session at Los Alamitos is topped by four $20,000 California Sires Stakes Finals.

First post time tonight and every night of the Tuesday-through-Saturday schedule will be 7:30 p.m.

The wagering format has undergone some changes. There will still be $2 exactas on every race on the program. Additions include three $2 triples, on the first through third races, the fifth through seventh and the eighth through tenth. A $2 late-night double will be carried on the last two races on the program, and a $2 Pick Six will cover the fourth through ninth races, and the Los Alamitos Pick Six will have a carry-over provision.

Sires Stakes is the name of the racing game tonight, with 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings racing for $20,000 in the second race on the program. Marvin and Judy Hannah’s Thadrow, a winner of more than $55,000 this year, is afforded a slight edge over Moscato Beach, with Kristies Lightning given an upset chance from his No. 1 post position.

Gellerman and Green’s Gee Gee Gem will be shooting for her 11th win of the year when she tackles a field of eight in the $20,000 California Sires Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies. This race, the eighth event on the card, also brings out rugged fillies Verda Rosa, Ebony Glo and On Route Sixtysix.

The most wide open of tonight’s foursome of sires stakes is the 10th race, which will bring out a band of 10 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings. Chris and Sara Bardis’ undefeated Little Sur appears to be the one to beat, but the youngster must start from the No. 9 post position, and his recent workout at Greenbriar sported three breaks in stride. Those given a chance at posting an upset are Mosey Along, Here Comes Joe and I’m So Super.

Colross Racing Inc. and Michael Schwartz’s Lepton will be spotlighted in the 11th race, a $20,000 California Sires Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies. Lepton will be testing her ability over a 5/8ths-mile track for the first time tonight as she takes on familiar foes: Red Pepper, the only filly to beat Lepton in a parimutuel race; Cheryl Andy; March Victory; the entry of Bread To Shine and Make Mia Million; Equus Ronni; Magna Amber and Laguna Beach.

Lepton, daughter of Egyptian Dancer out of Wolf’s Shalom, scored five times during the summer meet at Cal Expo in Sacramento while displaying awesome stretch power. Lepton roared to a lifetime best 1:57 4/5 on Aug. 4 while dusting off her opposition with a final panel clocked in a sizzling, :28 1/5.