These Five Try to End Drought

A winner of six of 10 in Mexico, Macumba Royal Hemp will be looking for her first victory in this country in tonight’s eighth, a $12,250 allowance race at 350 yards.

Trained by Angie Aquino for owner Francisco Gonsalez, the 4-year-old First Royal Hemp mare has finished third in her three races at Los Alamitos.

She hopes to change the trend this evening against only four opponents -- Classic Sassy Chic, The Cash Of Queens, Kelia Vista and Jd Pesky.

All five members of the field have something in common. They are winless in 2004, having gone a combined 0 for 15.

Owned by Anne and Rod MacPherson Jr. and trained by Felix Gonzalez, Classic Sassy Chic is the most accomplished member of the group with more than $192,700 in earnings.

She should benefit from her fifth on July 18, her first race in nearly eight months. Carlos Bautista will ride the 4-year-old A Classic Dash mare.

The picks: 1. Aloha Bound. 2. A Famous Flashback. 3. Easter Dawn. 4. Mr Sig. 5. Willy Won’t Gossip. 6. Breakers. 7. Ganster. 8. Macumba Royal Hemp. 9. Babe With Rhythm.

Four! Aloha Bound and Storm’s Araging in the first, Fearless Devil, A Famous Flashback and Randis Injun in the second, Easter Dawn in the third and Mr Sig, Dash For Easter and Cash For Casey in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: Bull Headed Harry drops as he makes his Los Alamitos debut in the fifth. Specialy Angry tries softer and needs a better beginning for trainer Concepcion Balderrama in the sixth.

Post time: 6:30 p.m.

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