‘Chickie Is Favored to Win Seventh in Row

Making her first start of the new year, Cha Cha Chickie hopes to pick up where she left off in 2002.

The 3-year-old Easy Jet Too filly will be heavily favored to run her winning streak to seven in tonight’s third race, one of two 400-yard trials for the Pioneer Derby for paints and appaloosas. The finals will be run in two weeks.

Owned by Pam Maloney and Robin Moraga and trained by Connie Hall, Cha Cha Chickie has won eight of nine and was second in her only defeat, June 13.

Bred in California by Hall and Patrick Ford, Cha Cha Chickie will break from the rail against five opponents as she tries the distance for the first time.

The picks: 1. A Tiny Bit More. 2. Sey Mag Proof. 3. Cha Cha Chickie. 4. King Lear. 5. Lock To Load. 6. Li’l Lulu. 7. Passat. 8. Sixy Bee. 9. Blushing Lady Bug. 10. Harney.

Four! Use A Tiny Bit More and Loven Ta Dash in the first, Proof Arbi, Move It, Rubbertigerpants and Sey Mag Proof in the second, single Cha Cha Chickie in the third and King Lear and General Te in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: Lady Marmet should be helped by extra distance in the fifth. Snape On Gone could fire fresh in the eighth for trainer Blane Schvaneveldt.

Post time: 6:30 p.m.

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