Rail Skimmer Might Be Class of This Field

Rail Skimmer will try for his third victory since being claimed for $2,500 on Dec. 3 in tonight’s third, a $4,000 claimer at 550 yards.

Trained by Jesus Nunez for owner Edith Velasquez, the 5-year-old Raise A Secret gelding has started five times for his current connections. Only once has he been worse than second and enters tonight having won two in a row at the distance.

A former specialist at 870 yards, Rail Skimmer beat $3,200 claimers on Feb. 28 and March 20 and will be stepping up a level this evening. Efrain Cruz, who has been aboard for the last two victories, remains on the California-bred, who will break from post six in the field of seven.

Later in the card, Vialyn, a 5-year-old Arabian mare who has been impressive in the first two starts of her career, will try to remain unbeaten for trainer Billy Lewis in the seventh, a $7,000 allowance at six furlongs.

The picks: 1. Serious Smoke. 2. Precisionist Rm. 3. Rail Skimmer. 4. Wild Flying Kite. 5. Solar Dash. 6. Kayo Too. 7. Vialyn. 8. Jabonerita Chicks. 9. Traffic Attraction.

Four! Vermont Miss, Kayo Too and Brite Horizon in the sixth, Vialyn in the seventh, Jabonerita Chicks, In His Dreams and Rubiate in the eighth and Traffic Attraction, Tin Mad Dog and Hez De Rocket in the ninth.

Shots in the dark: Timeless End makes his first start in over a year in the first. Wild Negotiator shortens to 550 yards in the third.

Post time: 5:30 p.m.

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