Ralph Siraco’s Selections for Santa Anita

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1999 | 10:25 a.m.

Selections made for clear racing conditions before scratches

Thursday's card

1ST RACE:

Waltz in Time - Three wide and no rally in the mud when in need of a race in last, second best at 7-furlongs early December before that, takes significant class drop now, money run Time for the Waltz.

Time for Skywalker - Daylight winner while claimed at this level in last, got up to win before that, 3 of 5 career fast track victories at this distance, gets hustling bug boy for hat trick try.

Value Play -- Native Bop

2ND RACE:

Meditative - Drops to claimer after 8 trys at maiden breaker, 3-wide trip to split field in last, set pace and runner up three races back, from turf to main and Nakatani stays.

Presidiaria - Dueled lead and held close 2nd first time in claimer in last, pair of swift works with bullet drill on the 8th since raced, significant jockey change to Desormeaux, diploma factor throughout.

Value Play -- Rock N Roll Heaven

3RD RACE:

Glorious - Overmatched and outrun in Grade II stakes in last, daylight victory early December before that, suspicious class drop now, wins or runs last.

Pretty Patty Slew - Stalked when 2nd sprinting in last, 3rd before that, 3 for 12 lifetime, stretches out and draws rail post, Nakatani re-rides for trainer Stein.

Value Play -- Morning Slewpy

4TH RACE:

Mosconi - Split field when close 5th from outside post down the hill in last, runner up at this trip three races back, add blinkers for this, sitting on a win.

Beau's Tribute - Better-than-looked 5th down the hill in last, steady works since raced, in the quinella 11 lifetime starts, Pincay is riding hot right now.

Value Play -- Silver Widget

5TH RACE:

Midnite Wind - Dueled lead and faded in debut in last, steady works since raced, drops in for a tag, draws outside post and Desormeaux now.

Tojo - Broke in a tangle and trailed first time in claimer in last, 4-wide 4th before that, drops a level, Espinoza stays to make ammends.

Value Play -- Higher Image

6TH RACE:

Highland Dawn - Pressed pace and weakened at a mile at Bay Meadows in last, 6-wide 3rd before that, broke maiden at Golden Gate three races back, ships south and gets Eddie D. now, well spotted to win.

The Smokster - Four wide close 3rd at Oak Tree in last, won 2 of 6 prior outings, solid works and winning rider Pincay returns, broke maiden off the shelf.

Value Play -- Johnny Dancer

7TH RACE:

Joe Who - Solid steady runner up in last, 8 of 11 lifetime victories from 13 starts at this distance, reunites with winning rider Ramsammy, should trip out for win here.

Shellbacks - Big gate-to-wire victory while high-priced claimed in last, won in same fashion before that, 4 of 10 lifetime wins from 6 starts over Anita course and 5 at this distance, Pincay stays for new connections and hat trick try.

Value Play -- Martiniquais

8TH RACE:

Ordained Power - Set pace and worn down when 2nd first time in claimer in last, returns for a tag here, draws good rail post, diploma theft on agenda.

Siyeh Bend - Best career effort when 3rd in last, has improved with each of four lifetime starts, jockey got to know him in last, must overcome outside post.

Value Play -- Masked Rider