‘Down Side Has an Upside

A participant in the 2002 All American Futurity at Ruidoso, The Down Side will make his first start as a 3-year-old in tonight’s seventh, a $13,650 allowance at 350 yards.

Owned by R.D. Hubbard, country music singer Toby Keith and trainer Paul Jones, the gray son of First Down Dash trailed in the All American Futurity, looking uncomfortable over the sloppy track.

In his first two starts in New Mexico, The Down Side was second to Southern Cartel, then won a trial to the All American by 1 3/4 lengths. The California-bred had a good recent work for Jones and will be ridden for the first time by Cody Jensen.

None of The Down Side’s five opponents is coming off a victory. Mickey Blue Eyes, a gelded son of Holland Ease, will debut for owner Enrique Gonzalez’s EG High Desert Farm and trainer Concepcion Balderrama after being claimed for $16,000 on Sept. 18. Alex Bautista will ride the Texas-bred for the first time.

The picks: 1. Wayne’s Choice. 2. All Jaz No Chrome. 3. Sweet Bon Ton. 4. Direct. 5. Proud Ty. 6. Queens High. 7. The Down Side. 8. Cash No Check. 9. No Pure Chicks.

Four! Raging Roman and Wayne’s Choice in the first, All Jaz No Chrome and Pure Quick Cash in the second, Sweet Bon Ton in the third and Direct, Rakin Leaves and Carol Day in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: Mr Sig debuts for leading trainer Paul Jones in the fifth. A Classic Pie needs a better takeoff in the seventh.

Post time: 5:30 p.m.

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