Breakneak action from Los Alamitos officially opens at the Downs tonight at 7:30 p.m. with Poker Spectacular and more.

What did you just lose?  An hour.  Okay, stupid humour but daylight saving time DOES begin today.  And who knew The Insider would be making an unscheduled pit-stop in your mailbox this morning?

Well, this is actually a special edition to remind you that tonight at 7:30 p.m. is the official blast off of exciting speed demon racing from Los Alamitos, California.  If you love speed in a party atmosphere, tonight’s launch is made for you!

FREE TEXAS HOLD 'EM.  NO BUY-IN.

1.  Two tables with 20 seats.  Just enter your name into the draw!

2.  Big cash.  If you win a hand with a one-eyed jack and king, YOU GET $900 CASH (because I daringly doubled the pool with my own money!)

3.  Joker fun.  If you win a hand with a joker (wild card) right after a Los Alamitos race, you pocket $20 cash.

4.   Winner perks.  The overall game winner gets $125 in betting vouchers and the right to look down at the sniveling masses as Poker King.  Second place receives $50 and the right to whine.  Third place gets $25 and the right to help move the poker chairs back to the dining area. 

BETTING SPREES

Two sprees.  You get to bet as many tickets as you can in 30 seconds without getting tongue-tied.  You keep everything your tickets pay.  You also get a seat at the poker tables!   

MEXICAN FOOD SPECIALS:  $4.99-$7.99

Enchiladas, taquitos, tacos and more.  And happy hour bar prices!

Mexican fare fits tonight's ambiance.

But, most of all, you’ll discover the fun of the breakneck speed specialists of Los Alamitos.  There’s even a guaranteed $75,000 pick-4 pool.  And a pick-6 that offers potential big scores.

So, whatcha doin' tonight at 7:30 p.m.?  (Besides still trying to figure out how to change the clock in your car?)

I'll be there, of course, because I foolishly agreed to top up the poker prop pool with my own $450. On second thought, maybe you should find something else to do tonight.  If fewer people get into the poker game, there's less chance of someone scoring a win with a one-eyed jack and king.

Whatever happens, The Insider will return at its regular time Thursday with the scoop on tonight's winners!

OTHER ACTION TODAY:  Racing begins with Philadelphia at 11:25 a.m.  Full schedule.  Carryover pools.