Will Corona Clique Be Up to the Challenge?

Trying for her fifth victory in six starts, Corona Clique is the 7-5 morning-line favorite in tonight’s $43,830 California Juvenile Challenge at 350 yards.

Owned by Vinewood Farms and trained by Mike Howell, Corona Clique, a Corona Cartel filly, was the fastest qualifier for the Challenge, a Grade III, on Aug. 15. She won her heat as the 7-10 choice in 17.61 seconds for the 350 yards.

Metallic Lion, who won his trial by three-quarters of a length in 17.62, is the 8-5 second choice. Owned by the Anjora Corporation and trained by Paul Jones, the Apollo colt has won five of seven.

Completing the field, from the inside out, are Harley’s Comet, A Very Kool Chick, Sometimes You Win, Willie Works, Cuervo Max, Runnin In Traffic, Dorothy Nell and Traffic Maze.

The picks: 1. Going Going Gone. 2. Well I Never. 3. Sudden Mischief. 4. Proof Im Hi. 5. Maxian. 6. Lucky Colours. 7. Point Break. 8. Ib Snow. 9. Corona Clique. 10. Oh Beda.

Four! Ortiz and Going Going Gone in the first, Well I Never, Eyell Fool Ya, Secret High and Real Quik Dasher in the second, single Sudden Mischief in the third and Charodeey, Proof Im Hi, Slinker and Montford in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: Tip My Cap should get a quick pace to chase in the fifth. Love A Lark Jr had excuses in his latest and could rebound in the seventh.

Post time: 7:15 p.m.

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