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

Friday, Dec. 17, 1999 | 9:20 a.m.

Saturday's races

1st Race -- Payload - 3rd at this trip and track in last, won at this distance at Anita three races back, chance to make the pace and a forward factor throughout. Super Ciel - No rally sprinting in last, runner-up while claimed at this distance before that, won at this trip three races back, reunites with Pincay. Value Play -- Askabout

2nd Race -- West Side Sally - 3rd in straight maiden outing at Golden Gate in last, runner-up at same twice before, drops to claimer now and returns southland for diploma. Lady Dehere - Outrun in debut sprinting over this track in last, drops to claimer now, hustling Puglisi stays and adds blinkers for this trip. Value Play -- Bertha's Bikini

3rd Race -- Afraidofrain - Dueled and cleared to win at this trip in last, in the quinella 3 of 4 starts at this distance with both career wins, comes right back here. Duck Season - Dueled for lead and held game close 2nd in last, broke maiden on-the-pace routing while claimed before that, needs clean trip from rail post. Value Play -- Dubyuh Dubyuh

4th Race -- Sapphire Ring - Steadied into lane and finished 4th in Grade I Matriarch in last, won Grade II stakes on Anita lawn before that, 2-for-4 over this lawn, one to beat here. Lady At Peace - Returns to races with solid works that includes bullet 6-panel drill over this course on the 2nd, 2-for-2 over Hollypark turf, proven winner off-the-shelf. Value Play -- Country Garden

5th Race -- Prototype - Sharp right now, sitting on a 3-race win streak with most recent pair of victories over this track, makes second start for new trainer Ward, Pincay returns. Oso Chico - Won at a mile in the mud at Golden Gate in last, broke maiden at this distance and track late-May, returns south and Nakatani takes over. Value Play -- Homecoming Flag

6th Race -- Sarigor - Close 5th while splitting the field down the hill in Anita stakes in last, won U.S. debut on downhill before that, sharp works since raced, draws good inside post, Solis takes over. Sheikh Abandon - Outrun routing on the main at Oak Tree in last, outrun routing in Hollypark grass stakes before that, won pair of downhill races before those, returns grass sprinting, Eddie D. for comeback. Value Play -- Confirmed Flight

7th Race -- Stop Traffic - Hard-knocking mare was runner-up on Breeders' Cup weekend at Gulfstream Park off-the-shelf in last, in the quinella 8 of 12 starts at this distance with 5 victories, had race, beware. Lady Tap - Returns to races with steady works, 2-for-5 at Hollypark, although has no wins at this distance with a pair of runner-up efforts this one fits here, Blanc back to help. Value Play -- Mountain Medley

8th Race -- Light Of The Woods -First-time starter by Majestic Light, has series of nice works with most recent bullet 'breeze' on the 16th, bred to love this trip, good post, Pincay/Mandella team. White Top Coat - Impressive run in only lifetime outing at Golden Gate late-May after dueling the lead and fading late, pair of recent bullet 6-panel drills signal business, ships south and gets hustling Espinoza for this. Value Play -- Now Voyager

9th Race -- Malabar Gold - Talent and potential makes up for lack of experience, just missed in debut when runner-up followed with monster maiden breaker by daylight over this track in last, could be something special, respect connections. Captain Steve - Won Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club stakes at Churchill Downs in last, won Grade II Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland three races back, Albarado stays on Baffert trainee. Value Play -- High Yield

10th Race -- Canonize - Just missed in return to races when 2nd by a nose on Anita lawn in last, runner-up on Del Mar sod three races back, steady works, P. Val. for trainer Cecil, served ample warning. Exact Time - Returns to races with steady worktab, 3rd on Del Mar lawn two races back, draws good post, Nakatani reunites on Frankel trainee here, well placed. Value Play -- Gud Aftanoon