LOS ALAMITOS : Marathon Star Sables Defender to Tote 125 Lbs.

Sables Defender, the swift quarter horse who embarrassed all challengers in distance events this spring at Bay Meadows, accepts the highest weight assignment of his career shouldering 125 pounds in Saturday night’s $20,000-added War Chic Handicap at Los Alamitos.

The 21st running of the War Chic features eight older sprinters over Los Alamitos’ 870-yard course. The stake headlines a 12-race program with first post set for 7:25 p.m. Los Alamitos’ gates open at 6 p.m. The Orange County track hosts its 40th season of quarter horse racing through July 28 with programs nightly Tuesday through Saturday.

Sables Defender has been awesome in his 5-year-old campaign, chalking up victories in the San Jose, Hillsdale and 870 Championship Handicaps at Bay Meadows this spring. Trainer Daryn Charlton saddled Sables Defender for each of those efforts. With Lute Proctor aboard, the son of Merridoc was virtually unchallenged in his three victories at Bay Meadows. He ran away from the field in each race to win by more than two lengths.

Proctor is back aboard Sables Defender in Saturday night’s War Chic breaking from the No. 3 post position. The gelding will be seeking to improve his career record of six wins from 24 starts.

Movin Brown Jug is the likely choice to upset the high weight. Ralph Pauline takes the riding assignment on Movin Brown Jug racing from the advantageous rail post.

The Charles Treece trainee won three 870-yard stakes last year to be named AQHA national distance champion. Treece sent Movin Brown Jug out in three events at Bay Meadows this spring. After flashing his old form in an impressive allowance to win his first race, Movin Brown Jug checked in second to Sables Defender in the San Jose Handicap. The son of Little Brown Jug turned in a disappointing effort in the 870 Championship, finishing a well-beaten sixth to Sables Defender.

BCR Quizz The Blurr, another 1989 marathon star, will be making his first start of the year for trainer Blane Schvaneveldt. The Idaho-bred gelding won five of 13 starts last year, including two invitational stakes at Los Alamitos and Fairplex Park.