Sterling Sport Runs for a Place in Marathon

Sterling Sport, the winner of the recent MBNA Challenge Distance Championship, is among 16 horses competing tonight in trials for the $175,000 Marathon National.

The eight fastest qualifiers will move on to the final of the 870-yard event, a Grade I on Dec. 14.

Owned by Muller Racing and trained by Dennis Ekins, Sterling Sport was second in last year’s Marathon National. He is part of a seven-horse field in the second of the trials.

In the first trial, trainer Doug O’Neill, who set a record for victories during the Oak Tree meet, will send Santano against eight other horses.

The picks: 1. Sister Vitalis. 2. A Classic Whiplash. 3. Wired To Win. 4. Shakem Cash. 5. Fair Queen. 6. Miss Saga. 7. Bandolen. 8. Harbor Beach. 9. Sterling Sport. 10. Leaving The Fire.

Four! Sister Vitalis, Fabulous Lady and Giants Party in the first, A Classic Whiplash and Heza Fast Streaker in the second, Wired To Win in the third and Shakem Cash, Jazz Again, Someones Prayer and Snafolsmobile in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: Tizour Runner will stretch out to 870 yards for the first time in the fifth. Siberian Snow goes for a new barn (Karl Pew) in the sixth after having been claimed.

Post time: 6:30 p.m.

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