LOS ALAMITOS : Nibble Hook May Eat Up His Trotting Competition

Edward J. O’Rourke’s Nibble Hook will be shooting for his seventh win of the year when he takes on a field of eight in the $6,400 conditioned trot feature Wednesday night at Los Alamitos.

Those eligible are trotters classified as B-3 and B-2 by director of racing Fred Kuebler and racing secretary Ron Goldman. The handicap will go as the eighth race on the 10-event program. First post will be 7:30 p.m.

Early-bird wagering will be conducted from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Those 62 and older will be admitted free to the grandstand.

Nibble Hook should be favored to get his first West Coast win. Fames Star, Valley Hi and Hav To Speed round out the major contention. The field for the main event lines up as follows, in post position order: Arnold’s World, Mark Silva in the race bike; Pelham Yankee, Brian Allen; Nibble Hook, Tom Swift; Valley Hi, Steve Desomer; Carmen Sweet, Jim Grundy; Count’s Choice, Pete Foley; Perfect Exchange, James Morand; Fames Star, Joe Lighthill, and Hav To Speed, George Cliff.

Nibble Hook, the 6-year-old son of Kingfish, finished third in a B-3 classified trot on Dec. 1, then came back to finish fifth against much tougher foes than he will meet Wednesday in a B-3 B-2 A-1 handicap trot just five days ago. He has won more than $67,000 in prize money.

Fames Star and Valley Hi finished one and two, respectively, in a B-3 trot one week ago. Both trotters do their best while racing from off the pace and need some fast early fractions to be set by their opponents. Fames Star’s winning time last week was 2:03 3/5, which doesn’t seem quick enough to bother Nibble Hook.

Hav To Speed should not be overlooked. The veteran 6-year-old has been racing against the top trotters on the grounds since the meeting opened but has had little success, finishing sixth three straight times. The George Cliff-trainee was making a move down the backstretch while chasing Nibble Hook last time but went on a break to lose all chance. The drop in class will help Hav To Speed, but the start from the No. 9 post will hurt.