The Factor Goes for Three Straight

The Factor will try for his third win in a row in tonight’s eighth, a $13,150 allowance at 870 yards.

Owned and bred by Rodney Christiansen and trained by Dennis Ekins, the 3-year-old Apollo gelding has blossomed since stretching out. No better than fifth in his first three tries at 350 yards, he was fourth in his first try at the distance, then won his last pair in wire-to-wire fashion.

Alex Bautista, who rode the Utah-bred for the first time in his last victory, on June 12, has the mount again tonight in the field of eight.

His opponents include Get Um Injun, who finished second behind him as the odds-on favorite last month. Trained by Chuck Treece for owner Julian Martin, the 3-year-old has won three of 16.

Red Terms, Shake The Dice, Splash McNasty, Gold Blood, Youdontknowtac and Rompnred complete the cast.

The picks: 1. Able Hero. 2. Booty Tacs. 3. Glitterbend. 4. Royal For Sure. 5. Beat Up. 6. Jaming Jammer. 7. Mummy. 8. The Factor. 9. My Eye On Tommy.

Four! Able Hero, Wayne’s Choice and Me No Toad in the first, Booty Tacs and Done Fishing in the second, Glitterbend and Classic Tolltec in the third and Madison Davis, Royal For Sure and Bonnie Pancho in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: Willie In The Money tries 550 yards for the first time in the fifth. Big Mouth returns to the distance of his last win in the ninth.

Post time: 5:30 p.m.

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