Corona Kool Back for More

Corona Kool, who has earned almost $1.3 million, will try to add another stakes victory to her resume tonight against nine other mares in the $125,000 Charger Bar Handicap.

The 400-yard race is the first Grade 1 of 2003 at Los Alamitos and attracted a quality field that includes, among others, 3-year-old filly champion First Regards, Running Bac, Inthetwinkleofaneye, Dinastia Toll and Sammies White Chick, the only entry coming off a win.

Owned by Dan Lucas and trained by Donna McArthur, Corona Kool has won 14 of 26 and won the Charger Bar as the 4-5 favorite two years ago.

Lightly raced in 2002 -- she made only four starts -- Corona Kool ended her 5-year-old season with consecutive losses. She was second to Dinastia Toll in the Las Damas Handicap on Oct. 5, then finished ninth in the Champion of Champions on Dec. 14.

Successful at 400 yards throughout her career, Corona Kool will break from the outside under regular rider Sam Thompson.

The picks: 1. Hi Flyin Lion. 2. Buster Browne. 3. Wranglers Lil Heart. 4. No Pet Peeves. 5. Caperucita Roja. 6. Trebuchet. 7. Cha Cha Chickie. 8. Fred Too. 9. Dinastia Toll. 10. Good Hops.

Four! Use L.B. Down and Hi Flyin Lion in the first, Sey More Proof and Buster Browne in the second, Roll Angel Roll and Wranglers Lil Heart in the third, and No Pet Peeves and Tougherthantherest in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: Li’l Lulu lost all chance at the start on Jan. 11 and could rebound in the fifth. Running Bac had a rough trip in her latest and has to be considered in the ninth.

Post time: 6:30 p.m.

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