Ralph Siraco selections for Santa Anita

Friday, Jan. 22, 1999 | 10:48 a.m.

Saturday's card

Selections made for clear racing conditions before scratches

1ST RACE:

Avenueofthestars - 3-wide close 4th in last, close finishes in prior pair of outings, won by 9 lengths at this level while claimed at Del Mar, drops back in for a tag and draws good rail post here.

Gratteau - Easy gate-to-wire victory at a mile in last, sprint winner before that, 9 for 15 lifetime on the tan and 5 for 6 at this distance, Eddie D. stays on Carava trainee for hat trick try.

Value Play -- Neotorque

2ND RACE:

Boyisdue - Drops to claimer after 9 attempts at diploma, spit field in last, bullet Fairplex drill since raced, Vergara will hustle for graduation.

Francois - Dueled lead from rail post and held debut 3rd in last, nice recent 6-panel drill on the 15th, Pincay stays on Cenicola trainee, off the rail now.

Value Play -- Native Jewel

3RD RACE:

The Exeter Man - Dueled lead and weakened late when 4th in Grade III Hollypark stakes in last, 4 of 9 lifetime victories at Anita and in the quin- ella 3 of 5 starts at this distance with a pair of wins, winning rider Flores returns on Frankel trainee, fits here.

Opine - Returns to races on solid worktab with most recent bullet drill on the 15th, has 5 wins from 11 starts last year that includes Pomona Derby two races back, Espinoza replaces vacating McCarron, good spot for action.

Value Play -- Reality Road

4RH RACE:

Our Moment In Time - Wide trip close 3rd at a mile when claimed in last, in the quinella 38 of 80 lifetime starts with 18 victories, 0 for 10 at the distance but runner up 5 times, Pedroza/Carava team, break through time?

Skysrai - Takes significant class drop for return to races, broke maiden at this trip and track, Sorenson on Gallager trainee, definate money run outing here.

Value Play -- Spellbounder

5TH RACE:

Licorice Island - Steadied at the start and weakened in last when in need of a race, close 3rd at this level at Oak Tree before that, draws bet- ter inside post and switches to Ramsammy now, good spot for action.

Janib - Pressed pace and 4th in comeback outing down the hill in last, 4 for 11 lifetime on turf, well traveled runner gets Japan's Take aboard, had race, beware.

Value Play -- Manilasterre

6TH RACE:

Scholars Studio - Dueled lead from inside post at 7-panels and split field in Cal-bred stakes in last, dueled lead and 3rd at this trip before that, debut runner up three races back, back-to-back bullet drills since raced, Stevens now.

Largesse - 1st time starter by Golden Act, steady Anita worktab with most recent pair of drills solid moves, good post and lasix, McCarron for debut on Hofman's trainee.

Value Play -- Shivareen Sky

7TH RACE:

Love That Jazz - Rail rally to beat the boys in Grade III Hollypark stakes for third consecutive victory in last, in the quinella 7 of 13 lifetime starts on the tan with 5 wins, Desormeaux/Drysdale team, Jazz Loves That winners circle.

Belle's Flag - Sharp gate-to-wire victory in Cal-Cup outing in last, 7 for 11 lifetime, 6 for 9 on dirt, 5 for 6 at Anita, a tenacious factor throughout.

Value Play -- Stop Traffic

8TH RACE:

Excessive Theresa - 3-wide and weakened while 4th in state-bred sprint stakes in comeback outing in last, won 2 of prior 4 starts, maintenance work since, switches to McCarron now.

Kalookan Angel - 3-wide and caught late from outside post while 2nd when in need of a race in last, in the quinella half of 10 lifetime starts, versatility is a plus, Gomez stays on Headley trainee.

Value Play -- Morell's Love

9TH RACE:

Sir Retsina - Late bid 3rd sprinting in last, solid runner up at 7-panels at Oak Tree, should sit a good stalking trip here, good spot for action in weak nightcap.

Queenie's Sweet - 5th in most recent pair of outings, nice runner up effort at this distance at Oak Tree while claimed, hustling bug boy Valdez for obscure trainer, another with good chance to trip out here.

Value Play -- Boggle