Frequent Strawflyer Goes for Third in a Row

Sixteen 3-year-olds will vie tonight in two trials for the upcoming El Primero Del Ano Derby. The 10 fastest qualifiers will move on to the 400-yard final next month.

In the first trial, Frequent Strawflyer will try for his third consecutive win for trainer Paul Jones. Frequent Strawflyer’s opponents include Ocean Cartel, who has earned more than $122,000 for Jones in winning five of 12; Ancient Mariner, and Appeals King Special.

Mocha Blast, who was beaten by a nose at 43-1 by the undefeated Be A Bono in the Los Alamitos Winter Derby on Feb. 27, is among the contenders in the second trial. Owned by Patricia Bello and trained by Jones, Mochal Blast, a California-bred, has never been worse than third in seven races.

The picks: 1. Kayo Too. 2. Proudest Baby Bug. 3. Sun On The Beach. 4. Vialyn. 5. Mr McKnight. 6. Vermont Miss. 7. Millisimo. 8. Ancient Mariner. 9. Mocha Blast. 10. Rakin Leaves.

Four! Kayo Too, Burningtobefirst and Sunshineorshadows in the first, Proudest Baby Bug and Legend In Red in the second, Keelhauled and Sun On The Beach in the third, and Legal Romance and Vialyn in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: Unanswered Dreams makes her first start since Sept. 21 for trainer Laura Pinelli in the seventh.

Post Time: 7:15 p.m.

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