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

Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1999 | 8:33 a.m.

Wednesday's card

1ST RACE

Encore Express - Outrun when overmatched in last, gate-to-wire win while claimed before that, in the quinella 4 of most recent 6 outings with a pair of victories, ships back south and drops back to competitive level, Pincay now.

Modelofperfection - Steady works for return to races, in the quinella in both starts this year with a victory and half of 8 starts at this distance with a pair of wins overall, broke maiden at Del Mar off the shelf last year. Value Play -- Box of Jewels

2ND RACE

Ladys Hi Life - Scratched out Monday for this, off slowly and never got on track from inside post in debut in last, steady Del Mar works since, drops to claimer, gets first time lasix and switches to Gomez for this, upset chance. Tin Stein - Chased and weakened to 4th in last, bobbled at the start and 4th before that, has improved with each of three lifetime starts, Sorenson stays, not much to topple here. Value Play -- Born To Be Spoiled

3RD RACE

Remote Controller - 3-wide bid and closed late for 2nd sprinting in last, gamely won at a mile over this track before that, won 2 of most recent 4 starts, drops back to competitive level, hustling Puglisi returns. Sweet for a Moment - Rail rally and up late to win while claimed in last, just missed when 2nd by a nose before that, new trainer Hines keeps rider Enriquez, could be quick return on investment. Value Play -- Mr Bulldog

4TH RACE

Beguiling - Part of potent entry with Spirited Silver, pressed pace early and held 3rd in last, runner-up in prior pair of lifetime outings, pair of nice works since raced, Nakatani stays on thrice-beaten Canani-trained favorite. Call Me Soon - 1st time starter by General Meeting, pair of bullet drills at training center then pair of nice Del Mar works with most recent a solid gate move on the 27th, Gomez for debut. Value Play -- Royal Debut

5TH RACE

Dillionaire - Pressed pace early and tired in restricted grass stakes in last, 3rd while claimed at this price sprinting on Hollypark lawn before that, runner-up in prior three outings and U.S. debut winner six races back, reunites with Solis. Flannigan - Wide closing close runner-up over this course off 7-week layoff in last, in the quinella half of 6 prior starts with a pair of victories, Antley returns on Cerin trainee, had race, beware. Value Play -- Azure Ciel

6TH RACE

Bienfeo - Part of potent entry with Crystal Crikett, troubled trip when blocked repeatedly and eliminated in last, won with wide trip at this level while claimed before that, Nakatani takes over, entrymate gives support. Dolby - Swift works for return to races, most recent pair of moves are bullet drills, drops to claimer for comeback, showed speed in debut and maiden breaker early in career, Antley vacates top pick to scale first time here, beware. Value Play -- Double D J / Boy Chick -- entry

7TH RACE

Strings Attached - Speed, battled lead and drew clear to break maiden off series of bullet drills in last, speed and runner-up before that, has landed good spot for next conditions, Blanc again on Gaines trainee, repeat within reach. Success in Excess - Set pace and held 3rd in last, sizzling works since raced with most recent trio of moves bullet drills, should roll from rail post here, Antley takes over on Baffert trainee, needs to clear early of Success. Value Play -- Golden Tassel

8TH RACE

Fifth Gear - Pressed early while wide and weakened mid-December in only race of career, decent drills for return to races with solid gate move on 7/23, well-backed in debut, respect connections, good spot for maiden-breaker action. Dixie Snow - Chased close early and held distant runner-up in last, pressed pace and weakend in needed outing before that, has improve with racing, draws good post, Pincay returns on Threewitt trainee, graduation forthcoming. Value Play -- Mai Tai Pan