Ralph Siraco’s selections for Thursday’s races at Del Mar

Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999 | 9:50 a.m.

Thursday's card

1ST RACE:

The Wicked Path - Distant 4th in opening day opener in last, 4th before that, 3rd three races back, should go much better here, Antley stays. Tureek - Late bid for 4th with best career effort in last, has improved with each of four lifetime starts, Ramsammy stays. Value Play -- Ad Hawk

2ND RACE:

Contessa Luso - Tracked early and best-of-the-rest 3rd in starter-allowance outing in last, 3rd while claimed before that, adds blinkers now, Gomez stays on West trainee. Suzie Snoop - Outrun when overmatched sprinting on turf in comeback outing in last, broke maiden in debut at Del Mar last summer before that, drops to claimer now, had race, beware. Value Play -- Shariqah

3RD RACE:

Freddy Be Fast - Set pace and second best over this track in last, dueled lead while 3-deep and held debut 3rd before that, adds lasix now, Freddy Fast enough to get diploma here. Inspiring Year - Dueled lead 3-wide and 3rd in last, dueled lead and close runner-up before that, 2nd by a nose after dueling lead at Golden Gate three races back, Ramsammy returns on beaten favorite. Value Play -- Play It Safe

4TH RACE:

Delivery - Argentine invader has solid works for U.S. debut, 3-for-5 in homeland with a pair of back-to-back Group I victories late 1998 in most recent races, Antley scales for trainer Baffert. Miss Hot Salsa - Pressed and stalked early, then faded in restricted turf stakes over this course when in need of a race in last, 2 of 3 lifetime victories from 3 starts at this distance, had race, good spot for action. Value Play -- Sterling Heights

5TH RACE:

Prism Term - Outrun and no rally in both lifetime starts with the most recent at Del Mar, now drops to claimer, Pincay stays on Shulman trainee, not much to beat here. Memo To Eve - 1st time starter by Memo, decent worktab with most recent trio over this track, draws good post and well placed, needs prompt start from inside. Value Play -- Lil' Nickers

6TH RACE:

Maudern Lady - Outrun in Pleasanton stakes in last, outrun in Hollypark stakes before that, daylight maiden breaker for a tag in debut three races back, returns south and back in claimer, adds blinkers for this. Knights Maggie - Stalked and closed to break maiden while claimed late-June at Hollypark in last, runner-up in debut before that, steady works since raced, adds lasix and Solis for return. Value Play -- Duchess Deb

7TH RACE:

Aviate - Close up and weakened to split field while 5th in Grade II Del Mar turf stakes in last, in the quinella 6 of 8 prior starts this year with a pair of wins, won at this level three races back, Gomez takes over. Mama Loves Mambo - Stalked and outfinished when close 3rd over this course and trip in last, gate-to-wire maiden breaker at a mile on Hollypark lawn before that, adds blinkers now, Nakatani takes over on Mitchell trainee. Value Play -- Kits Peak

8TH RACE:

Perfect Parfait - 4-wide move and rallied for close 2nd at higher level off 7-week layoff in last, bullet drill since raced, in the quinella 7 of 11 starts on fast tracks with a trio of victories, Sorenson back on Canani trainee for money run. Missed - Along for distant 3rd in last, Nakatani sees enough to stay on Abrams trainee for re-ride, draws good post and not much to beat in this nightcap if top pick does not fire. Value Play -- Rising Fire