Look Out for Zipolator

Those who like races around a turn will be in heaven tonight at Los Alamitos.

Five of the eight races are either 870 yards or 41/2 furlongs as the quarter horse track begins another week of racing.

Three of the contests are for thoroughbreds, and the feature is an 870-yard event for $12,500 claimers.

The most accomplished members of the field are Dash King and No Pet Peeves. Between them, the two veterans, who are a combined 19 years old, have won 33 of 150.

The 5-2 morning line favorite is Mystical Sign, a 5-year-old gelding trained by Paul Jones. He’s facing lesser competition after checking in fifth as the 6-5 favorite on Feb. 24.

In the opener, the first of the thoroughbred races, Zipolator will be looking for his third win in his last four starts at Los Alamitos. In his first race of the year for trainer Chuck Treece, the 6-year-old gelding went wire-to-wire as the 9-10 favorite and should be tough to catch again.

The picks: 1. Zipolator. 2. Live Withit Willie. 3. Mean Gene. 4. Riggin Lady. 5. Murr Key Blurr. 6. Just A Berry. 7. No Pet Peeves. 8. Lotta Lane.

Four! The pick four has become one of the most popular exotic bets offered in California, and Los Alamitos is where it originated. Each night, we’ll suggest a pick four where the investment will never total more than $36. This evening, single Zipolator in the first, use Live Withit Willie, Royal Juno Bug and Mr. Ney in the second, Mean Gene and Eraser Reb in the third and Riggin Lady, Watch Tower and Crystal ‘N Reign in the fourth. Total cost: $18.

Shots in the dark: A pair of longshots to look at are Synthingaboutmerry (8-1 on the morning line) in the sixth and Jolinos Dasher (6-1) in the eighth.

Post time: 7:15 p.m.

On the Net: For more information on Los Alamitos, please visit www.losalamitos.com.