Maiden Stakes Will Be McAuley’s Calling

Ed Burgart, the talented race caller who also makes the morning line and writes the comments in the track program, will be out for the next few weeks after undergoing an emergency appendectomy earlier this week.

Jim McAuley, who filled in while Burgart was on vacation in January, is taking his place again, and one of the contests he’ll be calling tonight is the $86,000 Los Alamitos Maiden Stakes.

Trainer Paul Jones has leading contenders Magnum Jess and No Scrubs in the 350-yard race, and they’ll break next to each other in Posts 1 and 2.

The fastest qualifier, however, is Deeheiress, a 3-year-old Mr Jess Perry filly. She won her trial in 17.54 seconds on Feb. 14 and has won two of her three starts.

The picks: 1. Royal American Queen. 2. Stoney Character. 3. Im Takin Over. 4. Royalette. 5. Strawfly I Am. 6. Doinitforpleasure. 7. Erato. 8. Chitchat N Charlie. 9. Deeheiress. 10. Strawflys Miss Six.

Four! Royal American Queen and Cash For Cucu in the first, Stoney Character in the second, Ganster, Get Bugged and Racin For Chicks in the third and Always In Front, Strawberry Banks and Royalette in the fourth.

Shots in the dark: Box Doctor could fire fresh in the fifth. Prankster Cf could threaten with a better start in the eighth.

Post time: 7:15 p.m.

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