Ralph Siraco’s selections for Friday’s races at Del Mar

Thursday, July 22, 1999 | 9:23 a.m.

Friday's card

1ST RACE

Hushed Victory - Set the pace and held game close 2nd first time routing on Hollypark lawn in needed outing in last, 4th in prior three outings, draws good inner post, Solis stays on McAnally trainee for graduation.

Irish Gramps - Off a bit slow and made rail bid while debut 3rd sprinting in last, steady works since raced with most recent drill over Del Mar oval, Flores returns on Gregson trainee, gets first time lasix here.

Value Play -- Continental Red

2ND RACE

Tanaasa - Off slow, tracked then rallied to win at longer route on Hollypark lawn in last, steady turf works since raced, Solis returns on Drysdale trainee, good post for the trip, could be another short priced proposition.

Rayouni - Stalked and 4th while splitting the field in last, 3rd at a mile before that, has a pair of victories in homeland of Ireland, draws rail slot for the marathon, McCarron reunites on McAnally trainee, a factor throughout.

Value Play -- Patriot Love

3RD RACE

Gambler's Do - 1st time starter by Bertrando, steady works with most recent drill over Del Mar track on the 16th, must start prompt from outside post, trainer Dutton good with babies, Pincay for debut.

Twothousandfrancs - 1st time starter by Order, another with steady solid works at Arcadia, draws just inside top choice so also needs a clean break, trainer Feld tabs stable rider Steiner for debut.

Value Play -- Stella Di Oro

4TH RACE

Regal Thunder - 4-wide and outrun while distant 3rd in Grade II Triple Bend Handicap in last, game solid victory at this trip before that, all 4 career victories from 5 starts at this distance, fits better here, Solis stays on Canani trainee.

Early Pioneer - Dueled lead from inside post and weakened to 3rd eight weeks ago in last, freshened with steady works, in the quinella 7 of 11 starts on fast dirt tracks with 3 victories, runs well fresh, Pincay returns on Cerin trainee.

Value Play -- Christmas Boy

5TH RACE

Fairly's Dancer - 1st time starter by Affirmed offspring, swift solid Bay Meadows works dotted by three bullet drills prompts southland debut, leading Northern California trainer Hollendorfer tabs Hollypark champ Solis for this.

Chisholm - Finished well from inside post when 2nd with significant improvement in last, Northern California invader stays for another try in southland, Pincay got to know him in last, continued improvement could get diploma here.

Value Play -- Heart Robber

6TH RACE

Tart - Second best on Hollypark lawn in last, won at this level and trip three races back, in the quinella 3 of 5 starts at this distance with 2 of 6 lifetime victories, McCarron stays, could get winning trip with stalking style here.

Maitrise - Stalked pace and no late bid in last, dueled lead and second best before that, French-raced import returns to turf for fifth U. S. start, Flores takes over on Drysdale trainee, good inner post, change of surface and venue may prove fruitful.

Value Play -- Dancethenightaway

7TH RACE

Queenie Belle - Just broke maiden against state-breds to win by daylight in last, off slow and close runner up in only other lifetime start before that, most recent work over this track, Solis stays on Cecil trainee, needs prompt start from rail post.

Starring Me - Broke maiden at first asking with a stiff driving photo-finish victory by a head in last, registered bullet Del Mar drill on the 18th since raced, Valdivia returns, bounce is only concern, but could be the one if top one doesn't fire.

Value Play -- Victory Coin

8TH RACE

Bubble Champ - Threw head at the start and split the field from rail post when distant 4th in last, 6-wide closer 4th before that, solid breeze since raced following bullet drills before prior outings, Antley takes over on Dutton trainee, beware.

Trapper'shabit - Another who threw head at the start while 3rd routing at Pleasanton in last, 4th at a mile before that, ships back south now, 4th at this distance at Hollypark four races back, Greenman trainee fits here.

Value Play -- Iron Duchess