‘Promise Is Being Shown at Longer Distance

Saturdays Promise, who has won both of his races at 870 yards, heads the first of two trials for the $60,000 Catalina Derby.

The eight fastest qualifiers in the two 870-yard heats will advance to the finals March 8.

Owned by Michael Rosenthal and Roger McDow and trainer Dan Francisco, the 3-year-old Boone’s Mill gelding lost his first seven races, but improved greatly when sent long.

He broke his maiden by 1 1/2 lengths last Nov. 17, then came back in his first race of 2003 and again won by 1 1/2 lengths, going wire-to-wire under jockey Gary Boag.

Saturdays Promise, who most recently was fourth in the 550-yard Super Bowl Handicap on Jan. 25, will break from the outside in the field of seven.

In the second trial, Ahme Gone will try for his second consecutive win against a field that includes Brishane and the Ed Allred-owned entry of Dalkas and Whats Your Game.

The picks: 1. Inkys Beda Roses. 2. Miss Fatih. 3. Indigodash. 4. Chenilles Dasher. 5. Sue Sues Asset. 6. Saturdays Promise. 7. Brishane. 8. Rio Cheng.

Four! Single Inkys Beda Roses in the first, use Miss Fatih, Gummy Delight and L.B. Down in the second, Indigodash and All Go Win in the third and Chenilles Dasher, Purely Dejavu and Sin For Cash in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: Marantha runs a longer race in the sixth and keeps jockey Ramon Guce. Cal Bred Prince is cut back in distance in the eighth by trainer Chuck Treece.

Post time: 7:15 p.m.

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