Lopez Doubles His Chances in Santa Maria

Carlos Lopez, who recently returned to training after a long absence, will send out two of the six runners in tonight’s feature, the $15,000 Santa Maria Handicap at 350 yards.

Besides Traffic Reporter, who has won two of seven, including a maiden victory at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico, Lopez will be represented by Coup Of Corona in a race for 3-year-old fillies.

Owned by Corina and Celina Molina, Coup Of Corona, an Oklahoma-bred daughter of Corona Cartel, was a powerful winner in her latest appearance on Jan. 17. She won by 1 1/2 lengths at 300 yards. Eddie Garcia will again ride.

The only other recent winner in the field is Echo Boomer, who won a $10,000 starter allowance on Jan. 10.

Echo Boomer, trained by Blane Schvaneveldt, will break from the inside post.

The picks: 1. Slamat. 2. Chasen Moms Dream. 3. Pastures New. 4. All Go Win. 5. Raging Springs. 6. Royal Quick Mongoose. 7. Scr Proudest Target. 8. Talking Tactics. 9. Coup Of Corona. 10. Peggy Perfect.

Four! Use Slamat and Blue Warrior in the first, Chasen Moms Dream and Contreras in the second, the Pastures New-Timeless Song entry and Cal Flaming Gala in the third and Indigodash, Royal Tolltac, All Go Win and Jacks Gambling Plan in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: Special Fast Lady makes debut in the sixth for productive trainer Chuck Treece. Wendi Wednesday tries for her second win in a row in the 10th after having been claimed.

Post time: 7:15 p.m.

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