An Improved Effort Could Be Forthcoming

Knud Chicks will try to break out of the rut he has been in lately when he takes on six other 3-year-olds in tonight’s seventh race, a $12,850 allowance at 350 yards.

A Utah-bred owned by Monica Sanchez and Ignacio Valdez and trained by Jose Antonio Flores, Knud Chicks has been fourth in three consecutive races and in four of his last five starts.

In his most recent outing, Knud Chicks, who was bred by Gordon Knudsen and Rory Muniz, was beaten by 1 3/4 lengths by Ocean Cartel in the La Primero Del Ano Derby on April 16.

Seeking his first victory since he won a trial for the 2003 Kindergarten Futurity more than a year ago, Knud Chicks will be ridden by Hector Cuevas.

The rest of the field is Frankly First, Awise Chick, who is trained by Paul Jones, Brubeck, Miss Marality, Not For Long and Red Terms, who is making his first start since Oct. 4 for trainer Carlos Lopez.

The picks: 1. City Club. 2. Left Coast. 3. Shell Ha. 4. Mefisto De Blaziet. 5. Closing Call. 6. J Loves J. 7. Awise Chick. 8. Kiss This G Bye.

Four! City Club in the first, Left Coast, Percy and Stoney Character in the second, Shell Ha, La Classique and Corona Magic in the third and the Mefisto De Blaziet entry and Al Vipyrr in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: Classy Lies is a California-bred son of No Lies making his debut for trainer Felix Gonzalez in the fifth. Vanuatu is moved up in class after being claimed in the eighth.

Post time: 7:15 p.m.

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