Icey Gambler Tries for Third in Row

Handicappers who like a sharp horse stepping up should take a look at tonight’s fifth race at Los Alamitos.

Icey Gambler, a 7-year-old gelded son of Prospectors Gamble, will try for his third win in a row in the fifth, a $5,000 claimer for thoroughbreds at 4 1/2 furlongs.

Co-owned by Felix Gonzalez and Raymond Salvatore, and trained by Gonzalez, Icey Gambler beat $2,000 foes on April 11, then dominated $3,200 foes on April 26 and a horse who finished behind him (Cielo Apache) came back to win big on Friday night.

A winner of seven of 42 races in his career, Icey Gambler will break from Post 7 in the field of eight and will be ridden by Victor Diaz.

From the inside out, his opposition includes Extraordinary Cop, Nashua’s Asset, C R Fox, Brite Future, Purdue Castle, George’s Hope and Mr. Rambler.

The main event this evening is a $12,500 allowance at 350 yards that attracted Nordick Only VM Brz, who made a successful U.S. debut with a neck victory at 6-5 on April 20.

Dennis Means will ride for trainer Jaime Gomez.

The picks: 1. Murmuring Sea. 2. Lodi Lou. 3. Bobbin Lee. 4. Let It Snow Cash. 5. Icey Gambler. 6. Seeks Joy. 7. Ms Monji. 8. Dashing Pro. 9. Nordick Only VM Brz. 10. Special Flying Jet.

Four! Single Murmuring Sea in the first, use Lodi Lou and La Yahaliea in the second, Bobbin Lee, Defrere R.N. and Chill’s Rose in the third and Let It Snow Cash, Loves That Gold, Red Hot Speed and Peggy Perfect in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: The appaloosa Four Oh One K could improve in his second after a long layoff in the sixth at 870 yards.

Flight 243 returns at the claimed level for sharp trainer Jorge Farias in the 10th at 350 yards.

Post Time: 5:30 p.m.

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