He Doll Has Been Better in the Long Run

Able to win only once in nine starts as a 2-year-old, He Doll has become a different animal since stretching out to 870 yards.

Owned by Margarito Farias and trained by Jorge Farias, the gelded son of Pritzi Dash is perfect in four starts in 2002 at the distance, winning by a combined 121/2 lengths.

Thirteen days after winning his trial by three-quarters of a length, He Doll is the 4-5 favorite to win his fifth in a row in tonight’s $80,000 Gold Rush Derby.

Ramon Sanchez will be aboard the California-bred, who has not lost since he was fifth going 350 yards in an allowance Nov. 17.

Completing the field, from inside out, are Fly Jimmy Fly, Justa For Fun, Ferragamo, Raise A Legend, Bac In The Saddle, Kels Leap Of Faith and Delusively.

Kels Leap Of Faith won the Gold Rush’s other trial and has won his last two at 870 yards.

The picks: 1. Hula Honey. 2. Slated. 3. Run Away Man. 4. Dedicated Diplomat. 5. Gina Z. 6. Just A Berry. 7. Gabriels Thunder. 8. Debuts Dasher. 9. He Doll. 10. Market Demand.

Four! Let’s use Really Western, Gabriels Thunder and Reeking Havoc in the seventh, Debuts Dasher, Special Fly Bye, A Chic Chaser and Bucky Bounce in the eighth, single He Doll in the ninth, and use Market Demand and Outofthecloset GVL in the 10th.

Shots in the dark: Baroness Kenmare just won and could surprise again for hot trainer Christopher O’Dell in the first. After failing to come close at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park, Drivers Seat takes a big drop in class in the third.

Post time: 7:15 p.m.

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