Nelson Tries to Extend Success in Fifth Race

Trainer Harry Nelson, who is winning at about a 25% clip at the meet, will try to continue his hot streak this evening.

Nelson, who won four races last weekend, will send out Cat Speed, a 2-year-old Chicks Beduino filly, against six others in the fifth, a $10,850 allowance at 350 yards.

Owned by Harold Phenix, Cat Speed was nearly 42-1 when she broke her maiden in her debut May 24 and has been second in a Kindergarten Futurity trial and a troubled fifth in a stakes on the California Champions night June 22.

Alex Bautista will ride the California-bred for the first time tonight and she’ll be opposed by, among others, recent maiden winners Shy Anns Trust, Rock N Fastball and Hrh Princess Royal.

Two races later, Best To Be First, who was second to the Nelson-trained Mountain Snow in an allowance contest June 1, heads a field of seven 3-year-old fillies going 350 yards in a $12,850 allowance.

The picks: 1. Gonna Get A Ticket. 2. Shagin Dash. 3. Moved. 4. Dedicated Diplomat. 5. Cat Speed. 6. Drivers Seat. 7. First Down Kate. 8. Hot Saki.

Four! Single Gonna Get A Ticket in the first, use Shagin Dash and Nino Pancho in the second, Moved, Lets Talk Turkey and Pritzi Too in the third and Ryans Ridge, Toll Bar and Dedicated Diplomat in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: Shy Anns Trust steps up in class in the fifth after being claimed for $10,000 out of her maiden victory. Quicks Trick makes her comeback in the seventh for trainer Donna McArthur.

Post time: 7:15 p.m.

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