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

Tuesday, July 27, 1999 | 2:13 a.m.

Wednesday's card

1ST RACE:

Air Band - Stalked and weakened on Hollypark lawn in last, left at the start at same before that, caught near wire when debut 2nd by a neck at Del Mar last year, Eddie D. stays, good spot for action.

Radar Contact - Dueled lead from inside and weakened routing on the lawn in last, 3rd in restricted Cal-bred grass stakes on Golden Gate turf before that, broke maiden at this distance, takes blinkers off and McCarron on.

Value Play -- Wynhurst

2ND RACE:

Maura's Diamond - Close up and second best in needed outing in last, closed gap when 2nd by a neck before that, runner-up in 3 of 5 most recent starts, bug boy Radke returns, Diamond diploma at shore.

Avenida La Cresta - Wide early and outrun in debut from outside post in last, 2nd best of 17 works over this track on the 19th since raced, draws inside post now, McCarron stays on Gregson trainee, expect improvement.

Value Play -- Wicked Illusion

3RD RACE:

Five Schillings - Dueled lead and held well for close runner-up effort on Hollypark lawn in last, made 3-wide bid and gamely broke maiden over the same before that, Ramsammy fits McAnally trainee well, a factor throughout.

Hidden Money - Finished 1st in Pleasanton stakes by daylight and disqualified to 5th in last, dueled lead and runner-up on Golden Gate lawn before that, Bonde trainee ships south and gets McCarron for this.

Value Play -- Shackelford

4TH RACE:

Winning Genes - Bumped and steadied while deadheat 3rd in last, even run while debut 5th splitting the field before that, draws good post, Solis stays on Sise trainee, makes third start of career here.

Alisha Dawn - Stalked early and faded from inside post in debut in last, trio of nice works since raced, draws better post now, adds blinkers, Black stays, should show improved effort here, maybe Dawn of diploma.

Value Play -- Keytothepurse

5TH RACE:

Shifty Hussey - Set pace and weakened to 3rd at higher level in last, in the quinella 8 of 22 starts on fast dirt tracks with 2 of 4 career victories at this distance, has a Del Mar victory, Solis returns on Spawr trainee, draws good rail post.

Icksnay - 4-wide closing 3rd while claimed in last, close runner-up before that, in the quinella 7 of 9 starts at this distance with 4 victories, veteran mare in the quinella 32 of 57 lifetime starts with 14 firsts, knows how to win.

Value Play -- Saucy Mo

6TH RACE:

Sierra Virgen - Just lost 2nd when 3rd on Hollypark lawn off 7 month layoff in last, 1-for-1 on Del Mar sod, 4-for-8 lifetime on turf, trio of solid works since raced with a bullet 6-panel drill on the 11th, had race, beware.

Queen Douna - Set pace and gave way in Grade III Golden Gate Handicap while 5th at this trip in last, huge lead and gate-to-wire victory at longer on Hollypark lawn before that, pair of bullet drills since raced, fits here.

Value Play -- Vyatka

7TH RACE:

Goodtimesinexcess - Gate-to-wire maiden breaker in last, speed and failed as the favorite in debut before that, solid steady works continue, draws outside post here, Flores/Baffert team, tough Del Mar duo.

Royal Irish - Finished well while runner-up to top pick as the favorite in last, off slow and late foot for close debut 3rd before that, pair of nice works since raced, maiden fits in this heat, Eddie D. stays to try top pick again.

Value Play -- Jaklin's Last Kin

8TH RACE:

Bold 'n Brawny - 4-wide runner-up late May in last, steady works since raced with recent bullet drill on the 9th, drops to half the price of last for return to races, Solis returns on Spawr trainee, Brawny money run here.

Perfect Parfait - 4-wide move and rallied for close closing runner up in needed outing in last, in the quinella 7 of 11 starts on fast dirt tracks with a trio of victories, Sorenson stays on Canani trainee, drops a level here, had race, beware.

Value Play -- Shake It Up Baby