Ralph Siraco’s Selections for Santa Anita

Thursday, Feb. 11, 1999 | 11:12 a.m.

Selections made for clear racing conditions before scratches

Friday's card

1ST RACE:

Morning Slewpy - Significant class drop for return to races, gate- to-wire route victory in last off-the-shelf return, in the quinella 5 of 9 lifetime starts with a pair of wins, Puglisi/Aguirre combo.

Ballistic Lady - Scratched out Thursday for this spot, 4-wide no bid in last, closing winner before that, in the quinella 13 of 43 lifetime starts with 9 victories, 1 for 1 at this distance, Pedroza/Abrams tandem.

Value Play -- Goody Slew Shoes

2ND RACE:

Trick Star - Dueled lead and weakened at a mile on turf in last, dueled lead and close 2nd at this level before that, pair of nice works since raced, reunites with Pincay for graduation.

Scooter Magruder - Invades from Northern California, stalked and 2nd at this level three races back, drops back for a tag and Delahoussaye gets southland call, Scoot for diploma.

Value Play -- Private Audience

3RD RACE:

Search Me - Returns to races with solid worktab, recent 6-panel bullet drill on 1/29, drops to claimer for first time and runs well fresh, Eddie D. comes back.

Avenueofthestars - Dueled lead from rail post and held close 3rd at a mile while claimed in last, in the money 5 of 7 previous starts with a pair of victories, shortens to 7-panels with Flores now, a factor throughout.

Value Play -- Star's Wild

4TH RACE:

Andoya - Game try with wide rally and just missed when 2nd by a head on Hollypark lawn late-November in last, 4th in Del Mar Oaks in U.S. debut before that, freshened with steady works, Desormeaux returns on beaten favorite.

Fiamma - Compromised with slow start in U.S. debut at Oak Tree in last, steady works for return with bullet 6-panel Hollypark drill on 1/ 17, split field in Group I Italian stakes, Eddie D. back on Frankel trainee.

Value Play -- Good Enough

5TH RACE:

Excessive Theresa - Set pace and gamely held 2nd in last, 3-wide duel and weakened to 4th in state-bred stakes in comeback effort before that, won 2 of prior 4 starts, McCarron returns on beaten favorite for third start since return.

Kaloonkan Angel - Game 3rd from rail post in last, 3-wide runner up before that when in need of a race, in the quinella in all 3 starts at this distance, Gomez stays on Headley trainee.

Value Play -- Cryptic Mystery

6TH RACE:

Reality Road - Prevailed in driving finish in last, in the quinella 17 of 37 lifetime starts with a dozen victories, 3 for 3 at Anita, has strung together consecutive victories before, must overcome outside post here.

The Barking Shark - Edged by top pick when 2nd with game effort in last, in the quinella half of 24 starts on fast tracks with 5 victories, should be pace-setter again from rail post, may be elusive target this time around.

Value Play -- Opine

7TH RACE:

Blending Element - Pair of solid victories since return to races, 3 of 6 lifetime victories from 4 starts on Anita lawn, won at this trip and course in last, reunites with winning rider Delahoussaye for hat trick try.

Palme d'Or - Off slow and no rally in Grade II Anita turf stakes in last, close 3rd over this course with Black aboard in U.S. debut four races back, better placed here, good spot for action.

Value Play -- Maureen's Hope

8TH RACE:

Treasure Ship - Off slow from inside post and debut 4th in last, maintenance work since raced, draws better post and race experience now, Gomez stays here for re-ride.

Arkwright - Stalked pace and split field when 4th at a mile while claimed in last, runner up at this trip at Oak Tree three races back, has early foot if needed, Valdivia takes over for new trainer West.

Value Play -- Lazar