Pavonada Settles In at Comfortable Distance

Pavonada seems to have found a home at 220 yards. The 6-year-old mare has run very well in her last two at the abbreviated trip and is the one to beat in tonight’s eighth, a $50,000 claimer for older fillies and mares.

Owned by the Lake Mathews Mare Farm Inc. and trained by Chuck Treece, Pavonada cut back to 220 two starts ago. She missed by a neck against Emanuele Toll in the San Diego Handicap on March 21, then prevailed by a head at the distance on May 2. Hector Cuevas rode the Texas-bred for the first time that night and he has the call again this evening.

Pavonada, who will break from the rail, will be opposed by Casita, Royal Classic Cat, Proudest Godess, Kacy Red, who tops the field with seven victories and Miss Kipty Yawl.

Owned and trained by Felix Gonzalez, Kacy Red is making her first start since Aug. 22. Victor Diaz will ride the 5-year-old Splash Bac mare.

The picks: 1. Yurmans Secret. 2. Birdie In The Dark. 3. Racin For Chicks. 4. Johnny Be Good. 5. Quick Moon Rising. 6. Grand Desire. 7. Pritzi Too. 8. Pavonada. 9. Designed Tobe Super.

Four! Use Grand Desire and Brite F X in the sixth, Red Ida Go, Pritzi Too and A Special Report in the seventh, Pavonada and Kacy Red in the eighth and Designed Tobe Super and Band Red Hot in the ninth.

Shots in the dark: Festus Dada is in a good spot for debut in the first. Pionera should improve off her comeback in the second.

Post Time: 5:30 p.m.

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