Macphersons Seek a Positive Sign

Sign Of Lanty has already lost more races in six starts this year than he did all of last year.

The classy marathon specialist has lost four times in six starts as an 8-year-old after losing only twice in eight races in 2001.

Owned by Jackie and Rod Macpherson Jr. and trained by John Cooper, Sign Of Lanty will try for his 26th lifetime win in tonight’s eighth, a $12,550 allowance at 870 yards.

Beaten by a neck when fourth as the 4-5 favorite in an exciting stakes won by Rock N Strawfly on California Champions Night last month, the gelded son of The Signature will break from post three in a field of six.

Two races earlier, Chapie, an 8-year-old thoroughbred gelding, will be trying for his 19th career victory against seven others in a $2,000 claimer at 4 1/2 furlongs.

A son of Pirate’s Bounty who began his career in the barn of Richard Mandella, Chapie was reclaimed June 13 by high-percentage trainer Christopher O’Dell, who had success previously with the California-bred.

The picks: 1. Keep It. 2. Sulton’s Glass. 3. Montford. 4. Shy Anns Trust. 5. Jazzist. 6. Chapie. 7. Ski Patrol. 8. Sign Of Lanty. 9. Chicks Rate Me Royal.

Four! Use the Keep It-Enuffofasecret entry and Jace My Ace in the first, single Sulton’s Glass in the second, use Montford, Corona De Cielo and Farahon in the third and Shy Ann’s Trust, Dalkas, A Dash Of Apollo and Pals Eyes in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: Safe Harbor steps up in the fifth after being claimed by trainer Jesus Nunez. A Secret Fly could improve on the drop in the ninth.

Post time: 5:30 p.m.

On the Net: For entries and results from Los Alamitos, visit: www.latimes.com/horseracing/