Meteoric Will Try Again

Meteoric has had no trouble qualifying for big races, but he has never really cashed in at a major event.

The 4-year-old gelding will try to break that trend Feb. 28 in the $200,000 Los Alamitos Winter Championship.

Meteoric posted the fastest qualifying time -- 19.68 for 400 yards -- in winning last Saturday. He has won each of his 10 starts in trials but has never won a Grade I stakes.

The winner of the Winter Championship earns a place in the $500,000 Champion of Champions in December.

The other qualifiers for the Winter Championship are Deefirst, Buccaneer Beach, Sky Lane Pie, Fed Ex Together, Backed By Speed, Santispac, Rare Coup, Flys R Streakin and Radium Rays.

The picks: 1. King Rhythm Jack. 2. Kings Whisper. 3. Summertime Robin. 4. Lucky Hero. 5. Inquisitive Effort. 6. Strawberry Banks. 7. Chitchat N Charlie. 8. Dash For Taz.

Four! King Rhythm Jack in the first, Kings Whisper, Nothing Lacking and Gracious Goodness in the second, Summertime Robin, Request All and Gold Crazy in the third and Lucky Hero, Eyesa Dazzlin Doc and Bac My Style in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: Keepa Dat Cash returns to Los Alamitos in the fifth. Kelly’s Hat debuts for trainer Jesus Nunez in the sixth.

Post time: 7:15 p.m.

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