Meteoric Will Try to Rise Above the Field

Meteoric, a consistent failure when big money is on the line, will try to end that trend in tonight’s $200,000 Los Alamitos Winter Championship.

In his first start since being purchased by a partnership and joining the barn of Paul Jones, the 4-year-old gelding was the fastest qualifier for this evening’s Grade I. He completed the 400 yards in 19.68 seconds while winning his trial by a neck on Feb. 7.

A winner of 12 of 17 in his career, Meteoric will be coupled in the betting with Fed Ex Together; they’ll break from the outside posts in the field of 10.

The other top contenders in the Winter Championship are Buccaneer Beach Deefirst and Flys R Streakin.

The picks: 1. Ambusher. 2. Bobbys First Policy. 3. Best Chicks Effort. 4. Winthrop Joe. 5. Fred Too. 6. Meteoric. 7. Bcr Takin A Ride. 8. Rail Skimmer. 9. Youthlike. 10. Bon Joni.

Four! Ambusher in the first, Bobbys First Policy, Amender and Wild Negotiator in the second, Best Chicks Effort and La Patinavida in the third and Detramental, Swiss Count, Nashua’s Asset and Winthrop Joe in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: Traffic Attraction stretches to 870 yards again in the fifth. Ja Cashin In makes his local debut for trainer Curley Ortiz in the eighth.

Post time: 6:30 p.m.

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