Runahalf Will Try to Go Distance Tonight

After subpar tries in his first two races of 2003, Runahalf will try to turn things around in tonight’s eighth, a $13,850 allowance at 350 yards.

Owned by Juan R. Aleman and trained by Juan G. Aleman, the 4-year-old gray gelding won six of 11 races last year and was second to co-world champion Whosleavingwho in the Champion of Champions last Dec. 14.

Since returning, Runahalf, who was bred in Texas, has finished fifth and sixth at odds of 1-1 and 9-5, respectively. Jose Cruz takes over on the 10-time winner this evening.

The field also includes the Paul Jones-trained duo of Bw Old Smokey and Ja Runaway Dash as well as Debuts Dasher, Oxygen, Chicks First Policy and Winner Wants Cash.

A winner of six of his 12 starts, Bw Old Smokey will be making his first start since last Oct. 27. Ja Runaway Dash was a troubled ninth in his comeback in the Independence Day Handicap on July 4.

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The picks: 1. Bomb Squad. 2. Dash For Apollo. 3. Sudden Mischief. 4. Caperucita Roja. 5. Safe Harbor. 6. Me No Toad. 7. Johnny Be Good. 8. Ja Runaway Dash. 9. Miss Absolut.

Four! Use Bomb Squad, Lov In Excess and Straight in the first, use Juvie Dasher and Dash For Apollo in the second, use Sudden Mischief and the Little Bud-Move Over entry in the third and single Caperucita Roja in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: Oxygen could run well in his first start since Dec. 29 in the eighth. La Classique makes a return to Southern California in the ninth.

Post time: 5:30 p.m.

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