El Nino Terrible heads up Saturday optional claimer

Trainer Peter Miller has the likely favorite in Saturday’s fifth race at Los Alamitos in El Nino Terrible, a 3-year-old colt who won an optional claimer over 1 1/16 miles Nov. 23 at Del Mar. The race Saturday is for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles.

The field of six includes the sparingly raced Setsuko, who was second in the Santa Anita Handicap in 2011 and 2012 but has made just three starts in the last two years, and Big Kick, the winner of the San Juan Capistrano Handicap over about 1 3/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita in June.

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Setsuko, 7, finished seventh of eight in an optional claimer on turf Nov. 8 at Del Mar in his first start since January. In hindsight, trainer Richard Mandella said the gelding did not like the surface.

“He didn’t think much of it,” Mandella said. “I think he’s going to run good, but I’ve been thinking that for awhile.”

Big Kick, who was eased in the Grade 2 Las Vegas Marathon over 1 3/4 miles on dirt Oct. 31 at Santa Anita, is entered for a $62,500 claiming price. A 5-year-old gelding, Big Kick won a $50,000 claimer on turf in June before his win in the San Juan Capistrano.