Metallic Lion Tries to Shine in Challenge

Metallic Lion, who has won four of six, is among 26 2-year-olds competing tonight in three trials for the American Airlines California Juvenile Challenge.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will then move on to the California regional final Aug. 29, and the winner of that race will earn a spot in the Challenge Championship on Nov. 1.

Owned by the Anjora Corporation and trained by Paul Jones, Metallic Lion won the Governor’s Cup Futurity on June 21 and was second to Hawkish in the Kindergarten Futurity this spring.

Ramon Sanchez will ride the bay son of Apollo, who will break from the outside post in the second trial.

A Very Kool Chick heads the first trial.

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The picks: 1. Ib Dazzling. 2. Ura Vision. 3. Mebered. 4. Sudden Mischief. 5. Suzy Cartel. 6. Fragilistic. 7. A Very Kool Chick. 8. Metallic Lion. 9. Corona Clique. 10. Hot Tin Tina.

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Four! Use Ib Dazzling, Mb El Burro and Reds Lucky Penny in the first, single the Move Over-Ura Vision entry in the second, Mebered and Eyes A Silver Bullet in the third and use Move It and Sudden Mischief in the fourth.

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Shots in the dark: Whats Your Game shortens up for trainer Kelly Lewis in the fifth. Flacks Snappy Tom debuts for trainer Jose Antonio Flores in the seventh.

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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.