Ronnie Jace to Take a Step Toward Big Money

Having won last year’s American Airlines Juvenile Challenge, Ronnie Jace is alive for a $1.1-million bonus provided he wins two more races.

The races in question are the Bayer Legend Challenge Championship, which will be run Nov. 2 at Lone Star Park in Texas, and next year’s MBNA American Challenge Championship at Los Alamitos.

First, Ronnie Jace must qualify for the California Bayer Legend Derby Challenge, which will be run Sept. 21, and he has his chance tonight when he runs in the first of two trials for the 400-yard final.

Owned in part by trainer Blane Schvaneveldt, the 3-year-old gelding will be ridden by Alex Bautista in a field that includes Agouti, Gettinouta Dodge and Memories To Keep.

There are eight horses in both trials and the 10 fastest times will qualify for the final. Some of the top contenders in the second trial are Inthetwinkleofaneye, Fly Home First and Dash Ta Juan.

The picks: 1. GW Fancy Noble Chick. 2. Bronxville Doll. 3. This Chicks A Dasher. 4. Chase A Blurr. 5. Be Bop Buzz. 6. Caperucita Roja. 7. Metamorphosis. 8. Ronnie Jace. 9. Inthetwinkleofaneye. 10. Diamond For Lady.

Four! Single Metamorphosis in the seventh, use Ronnie Jace and Agouti in the eighth, Inthetwinkleofaneye, Dash Ta Juan, Catchmeinyourdreams and Fly Home First in the ninth and Flirtatious Fred, Woody Dot Com, Hi Karate Aftershave and Diamond For Lady in the 10th.

Shots in the dark: Dash Ta Juan is a win type (seven for 17) debuting for Schvaneveldt in the ninth. Hi Karate Aftershave gets Alex Bautista for his Los Alamitos debut in the 10th.

Post Time: 7:15 p.m.

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