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

Friday, Aug. 20, 1999 | 8:56 a.m.

Saturday's card

1ST RACE

Storm Dog - Stalked 3-wide and weakened first time routing in last, runner-up in 2 of 3 prior races, draws good inside post, should improve second time around. Timber Baron - Returns to races with solid worktab, pair of Del Mar bullet drills from most recent four moves, 2nd by a neck in only route outing eight months ago in last, draws rail post, may need one though. Value Play -- Lagardere

2ND RACE

Tipsy Pete - 4-wide runner-up in last, 4-wide 3rd before that, in the quinella 25 of 48 lifetime starts with a dozen victories, sitting on another win, trainer Carava keeps cold rider Alvarado aboard. Go Not Whoa - 5-wide 4th in last, runner-up for four time this price at Golden Gate three races back, both career victories at this distance, Ramsammy stays, could trip out here. Value Play -- Investor

3RD RACE

Sophia's Beau - 3-wide move and bested rest when distant 3rd while claimed in last, 4th first time for a tag before that, steady works since raced, new trainer West tabs Gomez on beaten favorite, instant return on investment? Storm and Silence - Tracked leaders and weakened in last, stumbled at the start, stalked early and faded before that, shortens back up from route here, Abrams trainee adds blinkers and Nakatani now. Value Play -- New Vibes

4TH RACE

Son's Corona - Waited, crowded and closed to be 2nd in last, even 5th in return outing before that, nice work since raced, makes third start since return to races here, third time back the charm? Dancing Afleet - Returns to races with solid worktab, should be forwardly placed throughout, Pincay returns since 3rd place outing eleven weeks ago in last, trainer still looking for first Del Mar victory. Value Play -- Margeds Dancer

5TH RACE

Brave Slew - 1st time starter by T.U. Slew, solid series of works, nice recent gate work over this track on the 14th, well placed and good post, Dutton trainee gets first time lasix and Solis for debut. Strictly Blues - 1st time starter by Sultry Song, another with good worktab that includes most recent trio of Del Mar drills, draws good post, Antley tabbed by trainer Baffert for debut run. Value Play -- Valiant Vision

6TH RACE

Orca Bay - Wide trip and late bid off two-month layoff in last, lone victory came at Del Mar last year, trainer Abrams struggling at seaside this year, but, Nakatani sees enough to take over, had race, beware. Jason's Rib - Rushed up to duel 3-wide, made lead and held 2nd over the track in last, close 3rd before that, broke maiden at this distance, Gonzalez returns, a factor throughout. Value Play -- Bold 'n Brawny

7TH RACE

Duff - Raced even in debut when 5th sprinting on Hollypark lawn in last, nice long Del Mar works since raced, stretches out now, bred to love lawn and trip, good post, had race, Ramsammy stays. Kleofus - Runner-up in Hollypark grass sprint first time on green to beat top pick in last, also stretches out after four outings here, 4th in prior pair of starts, pair of nice 6-panel works since raced, Solis stays. Value Play -- Two O Nine

8TH RACE

A. P. Assay - Returns to races with smart worktab, bullet 6-panel drill at Anita on the 10th, in the quinella 7 of 10 lifetime starts with 5 victories, 1-for-1 at this distance, proven winner off the shelf, McCarron deputized for injured Delahoussaye. Enjoy the Moment - Beat top pick with gate-to-wire tally in Grade II Hollypark stakes late-June in last, in the quinella 9 of 13 lifetime starts with 8 wins, 1-for-1 at Del Mar and 3-for-5 at the distance, the target here. Value Play -- Snowberg

9TH RACE

Yuste - Stalked with even run when distant 4th at this trip in return to races in last, in the quinella half of 8 Del Mar starts with a pair of victories, 2 of 4 lifetime victories from 6 starts at this distance, had race, McCarron stays, beware. Mont d'Arnaud - Tracked, then set pace and held 2nd at this trip over this course in last, has a victory at this trip from 2 lifetime wins, should be forwardly placed in this, Puglisi again, could trip out in this spot. Value Play -- Rare Catch

10TH RACE

Sky l'Orange - Returns south for return to races, set pace and weakened in Golden Gate grass outing late-May in last, outrun in all four lifetime starts, now drops to claimer for comeback, Antley aboard for trainer Cerin. Laughinanadrinkin - Set pace and worn down late at a mile when 2nd in last, runner-up in 2 of 3 prior starts, best finish a runner up by a head at this distance four races back, Flores stays for trainer Baffert. Value Play -- Copper Miner