Ralph Siraco’s Santa Anita selections

Thursday, Jan. 14, 1999 | 6:49 a.m.

Selections made for clear racing conditions before scratches

Friday's card

1ST RACE:

Truly Misty - Drops to lowest level of career for return to races, in the money 5 of 7 lifetime starts, steady works, Stevens stays on Abrams trainee for the money run.

La Rubie - Close up early then weakened against tougher in comeback outing in last, in the quinella 6 of 16 starts last year with all 4 lifetime vic- tories, makes second southland start, drops and switches to Nakatani.

Value Play -- Jade Hawk

2ND RACE:

Sunatra - Second best while claimed in last, 4th before that, has im- proved with each of three career starts, stretches out now and gets good rail post, Atkinson stays for new trainer.

Amberific - Opened huge lead and weakened late for runner up effort 1st time routing in Hollypark mud in last, should be sent on the engine again from outside post here, Garcia stays on Peterson trainee, theft try?

Value Play -- Simply Profitable

3RD RACE:

Lucky Rasin - Loomed up and 4-wide 3rd in last, won while claimed three races back with Puglisi aboard who returns here, all 4 lifetime vic- tories from 8 Anita starts, recent pair of wins back-to-back over this track.

Appealing Crusader - Claimed off even run when 5th as the favorite in last, in the quinella 5 of 9 Anita starts with a trio of victories, Nakatani takes over for new trainer Mitchell, respect connections.

Value Play -- Starlight Dreams

4TH RACE:

Confirmed Flight - Pressed pace and outkicked at a mile on the main in last, runner up in prior 5 outings, in the quinella 11 of 19 lifetime starts, tries the turf now, good post, should get good trip here.

Weather - Boxed in while close 3rd when beating top pick in last, in the quinella in prior 4 starts with a victory at this trip, Stevens returns, good rail post, a factor throughout.

Value Play -- His Legacy Too

5TH RACE:

Harlan's Pleasure - 4-wide closing 2nd in return outing in last, runner up in prior pair of starts last summer, stretches out now and significant jockey change to Solis on beaten favorite, outside post only concern.

Salty Steph - Florida import makes return to races, 4th in 3 of 4 lifetime starts at Calder, drops to claimer with most recent work a bullet gate drill on the 7th, Nakatani for brother-in-law trainer Dollace for southland debut.

Value Play -- Kelli Louise

6TH RACE:

Cash Value - Finished well when 2nd in last, in the quinella 4 of 9 Anita starts with a pair of victories, Gomez got to know him in last, time to Cash in on the Value.

Waquoit Warrior - Rallied inside from rail post and nailed right on the wire when 2nd by a nose in last, in the quinella 7 of 13 lifetime starts, day- light winner from outside post at Del Mar, bounce is a concern.

Value Play -- Peter's Pond

7TH RACE:

Jigwater - 4-wide runner up sprinting on Hollypark lawn in comeback effort in last, trio of nice works since raced, McCarron returns on twice- beaten favorite, must overcome outside post.

Mickel The Mouse - Returns to races with solid works that include most recent bullet drill over this course on the 10th, broke maiden by daylight at Belmont Park in October, distant debut 3rd at odds-on before that, Stevens aboard for southland debut.

Value Play -- Three Card Willie

8TH RACE:

Sea Monster - Returns to races with steady works, even distant debut 4th early-July in last, drops two levels for this comeback, trainer Green- man gets Stevens here.

Herewegoagain - Stalked and 3-wide 5th at Golden Gate in last, dueled lead and game close debut 4th in Hollypark mud at this claiming level be- fore that, drops back in for a tag now, hustling bug boy for weight edge.

Value Play -- Tonga