Debut Dasher Needs to Go Straight

Tonight’s most intriguing question might not be who wins the $15,000 Cerritos Handicap, but whether talented but inconsistent Debut Dasher can reach the finish in the ninth race without incident.

Three outings ago, he was bumped at the start but went on to beat Los Alamitos Million winner Your First Moon in a stakes race. But in two recent derby trials at 400 yards, Debut Dasher finished seventh after bumping another horse and eighth after dashing wide. And on May 25, Debut Dasher finished third but was disqualified.

Trainer Connie Hall admits she’s struggling to figure out how to make him run in a straight line.

The picks: 1. Corporate Chick. 2. Rhymer. 3. What A Swetie TT. 4. Chickspecialmongoose. 5. Allegro AA. 6. Buzzin On By. 7. Bolt Ta Fame. 8. Talking Tactics. 9. Ryland. 10. A Lady With Rhythm.

Pick four: Take thoroughbreds Cee Miss Tizzy and Corporate Chick in the 4 1/2-furlong first, four-time winner Rhymer and Heza Buggin Wonder in the second, What A Swetie TT and Wilyacrossmyvalle in the third and Chickspecialmongoose and Dragon Wings in the fourth. $16.

Shots in the dark: Mondesi in the seventh enters the California regional final for the Nov. 2 Lone Star Park race with the third-best qualifying time. If Debut Dasher can straighten things out, he could pay nicely in the ninth.

Post time: 7:15 p.m.

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