Ralph Siraco’s Santa Anita selections

Tuesday, Jan. 5, 1999 | 10:14 a.m.

Selections made for clear racing conditions before scratches

Wednesday's card

1ST RACE:

To The West - Pressed, dueled and 3rd in last, made bid, led and out- finished when 2nd before that, drops back to claimer here, now or never time.

Dirt Devil John - Dueled winner from the rail and distant 3rd in Golden Gate mud in last, dueled lead and weakened while splitting the field in debut at Oak Tree before that, returns south and back to claimer, Laffit now.

Value Play -- Lucky Hostage

bf 2ND RACE:

Alert To Go - Rank and steadied in Grade II Anita grass stakes in last, set pace and close 2nd on Hollypark lawn before that, drops for a tag, Solis stays on Mitchell trainee.

Recondite - 3-wide bid and second best in Hollypark mud in last, closing 3rd in Hollypark grass sprint in U.S. debut before that, in the quinella 7 of 13 lifetime turf starts with 4 victories, Blanc stays for trainer Abrams.

Value Play -- Almuhimm

3RD RACE:

Truly A Runner - Dueled lead and caught on the wire when 2nd with improved try in last, pair of nice works since raced, reunites with Pedroza now, Truly a diploma here.

Arnie The King - 1st time starter by Huckster, solid series of Anita works with bullet 6-panel drill on 12/4, attracts McCarron for debut, prompt start needed from rail post.

Value Play -- Prize Native

4TH RACE:

Chip Canyon - Distant 3rd at twice this price in last, runner up while claimed before that, won at this level three races back, Pincay/Spawr team.

Appeal The Call - Returns to races from 12-month vacation, steady works for comeback, 5 for 9 career and in the quinella 3 of 5 Anita starts with a pair of victories, multiple time proven winner fresh.

Value Play -- Miranda's Knight

5TH RACE:

Mr. Seafarer - Wide and weakened on wet track in last, dueled and weakened before that, drops to claimer now, speed to handle rail post for diploma.

Tri Xacta - Dueled lead and weakened late while splitting field in debut at Hollypark in last, steady works since, race experience and significant jockey change from bug boy to Solis, Tri Xacta key.

Value Play -- Sami's Tango

6TH RACE:

Johnny Dancer - 6-year-old returns to races off 3 1/2 year layoff, 1/2 year layoff, won only career race with debut maiden breaker in late August '95, solid drills for comeback, Solis sees enough to reunite on Headley trainee.

I've Had It - Late inside rally for distant 2nd in last, wide trip 3rd on wet track before that, won 2 of prior 4 career starts, winning rider Nakatani returns.

Value Play -- Regal Russ

7TH RACE:

Brefny - Undefeated filly returns with steady works, won first two-turn outing in game fashion at Oak Tree in last, off slow and wide debut mai- den breaker before that, McCarron stays on Hofmans trainee.

Greyciousness - Sitting on a two-race win streak, gamely won on Holly- park lawn in last, won sprinting before that, in the quinella 4 of most recent 5 outings, sharp right now.

Value Play -- Ahtena

8TH RACE:

Prospector's Bay - Set pace and held 3rd sprinting in last, stalked and won before that, won 2 of prior 4 starts, Nakatani takes over on Peterson trainee.

Love A Prince - Waited and runner up in last, finished well for 2nd be- fore that, continues bullet drills with three more consecutive moves since raced, third time the charm?

Value Play -- Jungle Beat