Mucho Caliente Tries to Maintain Hot Streak

Mucho Caliente, who has won 13 of 29 races and earned nearly $130,000, will try for his second stakes win of 2003 in tonight’s $11,350 Charles O. Pollard Handicap at 4 1/2 furlongs.

The 7-year-old Arabian, who is owned by Town And Country Farms Corp. and trained by Felix Payne, has seven rivals in the Pollard as he aims for his fourth win in six starts this year.

The field includes Mickeys Toys, who upset Mucho Caliente at 8-1 in their most recent meeting on May 10. Claimed for $6,250 by trainer Leo Barana for owner Peter Barana, Mickeys Toys won by a nose over Mucho Caliente, who was the 3-5 favorite.

Ghaffir, Scheriff, Sammtorca, Past Rimal, Fire Mt Malabar and Sey Mag Proof complete the field.

The picks: 1. Give A Little. 2. Flying Jeb. 3. Cedeno. 4. Sherife Usa. 5. Cash No Check. 6. Jess Ten To Go. 7. Rebel Eyes. 8. A Mere Special. 9. Mucho Caliente. 10. Bedazzled You.

Four! Use Passat and Give A Little in the first, Flying Jeb and Wayne’s Choice in the second, Missin The Kissin, Sunnyside Steve and Cedeno in the third and Sherife Usa and Amber Croixnoire in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: Streakin Strait Away had excuses in his debut and could rebound for trainer Carlos Lopez in the sixth. Jockey Alex Bautista takes over on Toasting The Chick in the seventh.

Post time: 6:30 p.m.

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