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

Thursday, Aug. 19, 1999 | 9:48 a.m.

Friday's card

1ST RACE

Miss Traffic - Bumped at the start, then trailed from rail post while claimed in last, 3rd at this level before that, won three races back, Pedroza takes over for 29-percent trainer, has bounced back from bad races to win before. Queen Gen - Stalked and weakened while splitting the field in last, won for twice this price four races back, in the quinella 20 of 46 lifetime starts with 10 victories, has chance to turn it back around here. Value Play -- Aunt Josie

2ND RACE

Magical Dragon - Scratched out of Wednesday stakes race for this, easy debut maiden breaker score over the track in last, bullet drill on the 8th since raced, Flores again for trainer Baffert, pick in tough heat. Cameron Pass - The "other" Baffert trainee, another debut winner over the track in last, but, Flores opts for top pick while Antley replaces here, should be close to top pick throughout, ready to pick up pieces if top one falters. Value Play -- Suspicious Minds

3RD RACE

The Wind Moria - 4-wide duel for lead and weakened in starter-allowance company for twice this price in last, wide early and second best at same in comeback effort before that, could have bounced in last, give another chance here. Santa Fe Express - Even run while 4th from rail post off 7-week layoff in last, in the quinella 19 of 42 lifetime starts with 4 of 8 lifetime victories at this distance, Antley takes over on Hess trainee, had race, beware. Value Play -- Another Olive

4TH RACE

Zante - Returns to races with steady Del Mar worktab, no rally when 5th in Grade I Hollypark stakes late-June in last, 3rd in prior three U.S. starts, lands good comeback spot, Desormeaux takes over on Frankel trainee. Miss Fleet Diablo - Stalked, got the lead and just missed when 2nd by a nose over the course in last, 3rd in Hollypark sprint in comeback before that, nice work since raced, Solis takes over for vacating Desormeaux on Cerin trainee. Value Play -- Morini

5TH RACE

Eagle's Call - Pressed 4-wide early and weakened at same trip in last, dueled lead and distant 3rd before that, speed and outfinished in debut three races back, now drops to claimer, may not weaken here, must overcome outside post. Social Trends - Brief speed from inside post in Golden Gate stakes race mid-June in last, 3rd in debut before that, ships south now, good series of Del Mar works since raced, drops to claimer for comeback, trainer Hollendorfer tabs Solis here. Value Play -- Del Mar Danny

6TH RACE

Soaring Music - Wide and outrun in allowance turf outing in last, game maiden breaker on the main track when claimed before that, returns to tan, well placed in this starter-allowance spot, Nakatani stays on Sahadi trainee. White Cloud - Runaway route winner of maiden breaker in return outing at Hollypark in last, trio of Del Mar works since raced, should go fine spotted here, a factor throughout, Valdivia returns for repeat try. Value Play -- Diablo's Express

7TH RACE

Poteen - Close 4th while 5-wide in Grade II Bay Meadows turf stakes mid-June in last, won on Hollypark lawn before that, 2nd by a head on Golden Gate sod three races back, steady works for return, must overcome outside post though. Pavillon - Brazilian import makes southland debut in return to races here, 7-wide 4th in high allowance race on Churchill Downs lawn late-April in last, 1st and 3rd on Gulfstream turf this winter, McCarron scales for trainer McAnally. Value Play -- Kirkwall

8TH RACE

Cute Caper - Chased winner and second best in last, awkward start from rail post and 6th in debut before that, draws good post here, make third start of career now, Vergara stays for graduation. La Vie En Rose - Made up good ground to fall one-length short when 2nd in last, 4th in prior pair of lifetime starts, has improved with each of three career starts, Garcia stays on Abrams trainee, La Vie En victory here? Value Play -- Ice Trick