Mucho Caliente Deserving of the Big Play

Mucho Caliente, a 7-year-old gelding who won the ARAC Dubai Classic on Jan. 24, will try for his 12th lifetime victory in tonight’s fifth, a $6,000 allowance at 4 1/2 furlongs.

The other five entrants have combined for 35 victories in 163 starts.

Owned by Town and Country Farms Corp. and trained by Felix Payne, who will also send out recent winner Ghaffir, Mucho Caliente has been worse than third only twice in his 26-race career.

Trainer Leo Barana will send out Seyvilla Samsagain, who earned his 11th lifetime victory on Jan. 19, and Scheriff.

Completing the field are Virgule, who was third behind Mucho Caliente in the ARAC Dubai Classic, and Past Rimal.

The picks: 1. Sue Sues Asset. 2. Fred Too. 3. Knowntoman. 4. Miami Moon Dust. 5. Mucho Caliente. 6. Rebel Winner. 7. Go Green Go. 8. Royal Famous Fame.

Four! Use Mucho Caliente, Past Riml and Ghaffir in the fifth, single Rebel Winner in the sixth, Go Green Go and Solar Dash in the seventh and Royal Famous Fame and Kenricia in the eighth.

Shots in the dark: Dash Ta Dance steps up in the second after a claim. Mighty Advance Man moves to the rail in the fourth and his last victory came from the inside post.

Post Time: 7:15 p.m.

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