Ralph Siraco’s selections for Friday’s races at Hollywood Park

Thursday, Dec. 16, 1999 | 9:20 a.m.

Friday's races

1st Race -- Gherminella - First-time starter by Phone Trick, working a hole-in-the-wind with 4 of most recent 8 drills bullet moves -- all over the Hollypark strip, Black on Matee trainee, works say ready. Ashley's Prospect - Four wide distant 5th to split the field in last, wide with no rally in debut before that, hustling Puglisi takes over on Jones trainee, not much to beat from known quantities. Value Play -- Mistakenly Special

2nd Race -- Before and After - 5th as the favorite while claimed at Oak Tree in last, steady works since, 3-for-8 this year, 2-for-3 at this distance, draws good rail post, Pincay takes over for new trainer Spawr for this. Irisheyesareflying - Came up empty on soft Golden Gate lawn in last, outrun in Bay Meadows grass stakes before that, ships south, drops in class and returns to the main, P. Val. gets the call. Value Play -- Amber's Beau

3rd Race -- Go Gary Go - Dueled lead and weakened in last, made bid and outkicked when close 2nd before that -- both at this trip and course, in the quinella 6 of 10 starts at this distance on turf with a trio of wins, well placed for victory. Colonel Kelly - Three wide and weakened in last, set pace and beaten by top pick when 3rd before that, in the quinella half of 8 starts this year with a pair of wins, world's winningest rider aboard. Value Play -- Jack The Bull

4th Race -- Designed For Luck - Coupled entrymate with Popular Year, three wide and split the field when debut 6th in last, drops to claimer now, draws outside post again, Nakatani stays on Dollace trainee. Fly To Moscow - Dueled for lead and faded to distant 5th off 6-week layoff in last, 4th in prior pair of outings, close 2nd at Bay Meadows four races back, hustling Espinoza returns. Value Play -- Smokeville

5th Race -- Palinisa - Four-wide move, led and caught while close 2nd off 3-month layoff in last, close 3rd in U. S. debut on Del Mar sod before that, good post, Espinoza back on Drysdale trainee, had race, beware. Kinky Kinky - Won from off-the-pace at this distance and course in last, just missed in only other turf start when 2nd by a head on Anita green before that, draws good rail post, Flores/Baffert tandem. Value Play -- Brooklyn's Storm

6th Race -- Kalihi Maggie - Stalked and came back for distant 2nd in last, five-wide 2nd before that, has improved in each of four career starts, Nakatani becomes fifth different rider in as many starts here, continued improvement makes tough. Wall Street Rally - Most experienced with 10 tries to break maiden, 5th in last, 4th before that, 3rd three races back, switches to P. Val. now, versatility is a plus, could trip out for diploma here. Value Play -- Memo To Eve

7th Race -- Vignette - Returns to races with swift worktab that includes most recent bullet 6-panel drill on the 12th, won U. S. debut down the hill at Santa Anita, well placed for comeback, Flores returns on Drysdale trainee. Theater Gossip - Saved ground and rallied for close 3rd at this trip in last, won by a nose down the hill at Anita before that, 2nd at same three races back, needs clear running from rail post, Eddie D. returns on beaten favorite. Value Play -- Capote's Caper

8th Race -- Sweet Bee - Won by daylight in hand while claimed in last, broke maiden at Hollypark by a dozen lengths in June, steps up a level, draws outside post, hustling Pedroza stays for new connections for repeat try. Enabru - Didn't fire from rail post in last, just missed with game 2nd by a neck at this level before that, last victory came at Hollypark at higher level in early July, reunites with Alvarado for this. Value Play -- Miguella