Sammies White Chick in easier spot

Sammies White Chick will be trying to regain her 2003 form - which led to two stakes wins - in the $15,000 Pacific Beach Handicap on Friday night at Los Alamitos.

Last year, Sammies White Chick became one of the most respected distaffers at Los Alamitos when she won the Miss Princess and Ivan Ashment handicaps. In her only start this year, she finished fifth while trying to defend her Miss Princess victory. The lesser level of competition in the Pacific Beach Handicap should help Sammies White Chick's prospects in the 350-yard stakes.

The favorite's role could go to Shawnee Slade, who started a three-race winning streak on Jan. 17 in the Sand Dollar Beach Handicap. The streak ended on April 2 with a second-place finish in the Paradise Handicap.

A Kentucky-bred sprint?

The $30,000 Jim Smith Handicap on Saturday at Los Alamitos looks more like a sprint for Kentucky-bred Thoroughbreds than the 870-yard Quarter Horse stakes that it is.

That's because the Smith has attracted Quarter Horses sired by the Kentucky-based Thoroughbred stallions Favorite Trick and Grand Slam.

The Favorite Trick-sired Tricky Dust comes off two straight wins, the latest being a 3 1/2-length victory in the April 3 Newport Beach Handicap.

Trainer Laura Pinelli will be represented by two Grand Slam-sired geldings, Heros Call and Oak Canyon.

Heros Call, the 2003 co-champion distance horse, and Oak Canyon are making their first starts since running first and third, respectively, in the Grade 1 Marathon National on Dec. 13.