Ralph Siraco’s Selections for Santa Anita

Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999 | 10:45 a.m.

Selections made for clear racing conditions before scratches

Friday's card

1ST RACE:

Blue Talent - Gave way in last, won at this trip, track and level four races back at Oak Tree, 3 of 8 lifetime victories at Anita and 4 for 8 at this distance, nice pair of works since raced, chance for a turnaround here.

Rely - Scratched Wednesday for this spot, 3-wide, led and held 2nd while claimed at this level in last, easy winner at this trip at Oak Tree three races back, Solis takes over on beaten favorite for new connections, must overcome outside post.

Value Play -- Lucky Raisin

2ND RACE:

Inexcessivelyhot - 1st time starter by In Excess, solid steady Hollypark worktab with bullet gate drill on 1/6, most recent 6-panel gate drill at Anita on 1/23, Flores/Baffert team.

Excess Pleasure - Stalked and just missed 2nd while 3rd from outside post first time for a tag in last, better outside post here, Sorenson stays, a diploma factor throughout.

Value Play -- Infatuation

3RD RACE:

Jungle Beat - Dueled lead and held 3rd at over twice this price in last, in the quinella in all 4 previous lifetime starts with a pair of victories, re- unites with winning rider Pincay, gate-to-wire money run in offering.

Cash Value - 3rd from between foes in last, finished well for runner up before that, in the quinella 5 of 9 starts last year with 2 victories, Gomez stays, Cash may be the Value here.

Value Play -- A Prospect For Nan

4TH RACE:

Aristotle - Solid runner up to Cape Canaveral in Grade III San Miguel Stakes in last, broke maiden sprinting on Hollypark turf before that, pair of nice works since raced, need only take to the downhill run to win here.

Diggit - Irish-bred fanned 3-wide and rallied for 2nd on Golden Gate lawn in U.S. debut in last, in the quinella in all 5 previous European career starts with a victory, ships south and gets Eddie D., should make late impact here.

Value Play -- Audmar

5TH RACE:

Kalookan Baby - 1st time starter by Miswaki, swift series of works with a pair of 6-panel bullet gate drills of most recent trio of moves, Solis/ Headley team, works say ready.

Lucky Slewpy - Been knocking on graduation door, dueled lead, cleared and overtaken when 2nd in last, in the money 3 of 4 lifetime starts, Pincay stays on Hendricks trainee, Slewpy a diploma factor throughout.

Value Play -- Spontaneous

6TH RACE:

Rare Charmer - 3-wide and second best at a mile on Anita lawn in last, broke maiden over this track before that, back to main and McCarron stays, Rare ready to roll.

Wishful Sky - Dueled lead and gave way on Hollypark lawn in June when last raced, broke maiden on the main before that, steady works for return, Solis takes over on Shulman trainee.

Value Play -- Kris's Love

7TH RACE:

Isle de France - French-raced import has solid works for U.S. debut, won 3 of 5 starts then outrun in premiere French distaff marathon race late-September in last, McCarron/McAnally team, Isle de winner?

Desert Drama - Second best to solid runner at this trip on this course in last, 4th in downhill Grade III stakes in U.S. debut before that, Irish-bred won 3 starts over the pond, switches to Solis for third U.S. start.

Value Play -- Statua

8TH RACE:

Jag G - Returned to races from 11-month layoff with wide trip 2nd from outside post first time for a tag in last, outrun twice at the Fairgrounds last year, nice pair of works since raced, Desormeaux returns on Frankel trainee.

Hollywood Man - Distant runner up routing early-December at Hollypark in last, 3rd in prior three outings, freshened with steady works, Solis/Stute combo.

Value Play -- To the West