Ralph Siraco’s Santa Anita selections

Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1999 | 10:16 a.m.

1ST RACE:

A Lady From Dixie - Rallied between foes to finish 2nd then placed 4th on the lawn in last, set pace and weakened to 4th first time routing before that, returns to main and draws good inside post, Antley for graduation from disqualification.

Kickapoo Song - Pressed pace when 3-wide and held 2nd while beating top pick January 1st in last, debut runner up from the rail sprinting before that, adds blinkers and Gomez returns on beaten favorite, Kickapoo maiden ranks here?

Value Play -- Conical

2ND RACE:

Llanelli - Dueled lead from rail and weakened at Bay Meadows in last, in the quinella in prior trio of outings with a pair of victories, all 4 lifetime wins from 10 starts at this distance, ships south and gets Delahoussaye now, good spot to stalk speed and pounce for the win.

Miriam's Song - Speed and gave way at Bay Meadows in last, won 3 of 5 previous starts while claimed off a win two races back, all 5 career victories from 8 Anita starts, back at favorite track, reunites with winning rider Pincay on Spawr trainee.

Value Play -- Misty Mink

3RD RACE:

Iza Bon Bon - Set pace and weakened when 3rd in last, dueled lead and caught late when close 3rd in comeback effort before that, race sets up to be lone speed down the hill, significant jockey change back to winning rider Desormeaux.

Golden Arches - Graded stakes winner returns to races with steady works, first downhill try looks more like a prep for future endevours, but works are solid and she has the class, McCarron/McAnally team always dangerous.

Value Play -- Vyatka

4TH RACE:

Surpassing - Pressed early and lacked late response in comeback effort at longer distance in last, best effort at higher claiming level when close 2nd three races back, drops to low level tag now, Puglisi takes over for graduation run.

Kentucky Bluebird - Dueled lead and second best in big comeback effort first time in claimer in last, steady works since, Pincay returns on Gallagher trainee, bounce is only concern.

Value Play -- Roget's Run

5TH RACE:

Tri Xacta - Overmatched and outrun sprinting from rail post in last, broke maiden at this trip and track before that, pair of works since raced, drops to competitive level and Solis stays, win, tri and exacta here.

Quinton's Quick - Uncatchable in two Anita victories since invading from Arizona, in the quinella 7 of 8 lifetime starts with 5 wins, Desormeaux takes over, may pose an elusive target again.

Value Play -- Jack's No Saint

6TH RACE:

Excessive Lady - Returns to races with solid drills featuring most recent bullet drill on the 19th, in the quinella 5 of 9 career starts, runner up to recent stakes winner in only try at this distance in early May, Desormeaux returns.

Classic Holiday - Returns to races from 15-month layoff, steady works for return, daylight maiden breaker at Anita, Solis sees enough in Gregson trainee comebacker to reunite here.

Value Play -- Griselle

7TH RACE:

Beautiful Face - Just missed when 2nd by a head in last, runner up sprinting on Hollypark lawn before that, in the quinella half of 6 starts on Anita lawn with both lifetime victories, steady works since raced, Solis stays for third time the charm.

Blue Eyed Lilli - 3rd over the course in last, close runner up at this trip three races back at Oak Tree, steady works since raced, Nakatani reunites on Abrams trainee.

Value Play -- Circa

8TH RACE:

Deputy Delegate - Outrun on the lawn early January in last, solid 2nd routing on the main before that, drops to claimer and adds blinkers, Pincay stays for return graduation run.

Good Fellow Robin - No rally on the turf in last, off slow and rallied for 2nd sprinting on the main for a tag three races back, stays routing, returns to tan and back in claimer for this, Eddie D. stays for nightcap cap and gown attempt.

Value Play -- Presidential Pull