Jones Well Represented in Holiday Handicap

After a four-day break, the 2003-04 meet kicks off with the $26,700 Holiday Handicap at 350 yards.

The ninth of 10 races on the program, the Holiday attracted six entrants, including two trained by Paul Jones.

Ib Snow, who has won two of his last three, and Picasso Toll, who has been second in three consecutive outings, will represent the Jones barn against Chiarascuro, Royal Miracle Dip, Zee Wayne and Beating Thunder.

Chiarascuro, a 5-year-old Chicks Beduino gelding, is winless in 2003 after winning three times last year. The Idaho-bred, who will be ridden by Hector Cuevas, finished seventh of 10 in the 2002 Champion Of Champions and was second to the now-retired A Ransom in the Vessels Maturity.

Among the others, Royal Miracle Dip earned his second lifetime win with a decisive score on Nov. 16 for trainer Lin Melton and retains the services of jockey Eddie Garcia.

The picks: 1. Jazz Again. 2. I Say Man. 3. Aztex Connection. 4. Bootleg And Susy. 5. Jill Lane. 6. Czubukon. 7. Cartels Collection. 8. Hugol. 9. Ib Snow. 10. La Patinavida.

Four! Jazz Again and Red Aunties Secret in the first, Shems, Mizter Al and I Say Man in the second, Favorite Ovation and Aztex Connection in the third and Southerly Flow and Bootleg And Suzy in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: Fast Pay Check debuts for trainer Jesus Nunez in the fifth. Mater is much better than her last would indicate and could rebound in the 10th.

Post time: 7:15 p.m.

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