Kindergarten comes up strong

Fastest qualifier Looking for Chicks heads a very fast field of Quarter Horses on Saturday night in the Grade 1, $350,000 Kindergarten, the year's first futurity at Los Alamitos.

Each of the 10 qualifiers raced the 300 yards faster than 15.50 seconds, a time quick enough to place in three of the six runnings of the Kindergarten since the race was shortened from 350 yards in 1998.

Looking for Chicks won his trial in 15.350, a time that would have won two of the past three Kindergartens. Only Hawkish's track-record win in 15.18 last year is faster during that period.

Looking for Chicks won his maiden at first asking in 15.612 for 300 yards and then won the third of 10 Kindergarten trials by one length on May 1.

Jumpn and Mr Corona Perfect share second-fastest qualifier status after trial wins in 15.365. Jumpn rebounded from a fifth-place finish in his career debut to win his Kindergarten trial by one length. Mr Corona Perfect has been one of the most highly touted 2-year-olds at Los Alamitos. He scored a 2 1/2-length maiden win in 15.468 on April 11 and then won his Kindergarten trial by a neck over fifth-fastest qualifier Dash to the End.