Ralph Siraco’s selections for Thursday’s races at Hollywood Park

Wednesday, July 28, 1999 | 8:56 a.m.

Thursday's card

1ST RACE:

Queensland Star -- No threat as the favorite on Hollypark lawn in last, overmatched in Grade III Hollypark turf stakes before that, won at higher level on Anita lawn four races back, Desormeaux stays, give another chance here.

Azure Ciel - 3-wide 4th at this trip on Hollypark lawn while claimed in last, won at this trip on Bay Meadows lawn five races back, draws good rail post, Nakatani takes over on Mitchell trainee, should like the seashore layout.

Value Play -- Sprucity

2ND RACE:

Strings Attached - Pressed early while 4-wide and weakened to debut 5th in last, swift works since raced with most recent trio of moves bullet drills, draws good post, race experience, works say ready to graduate here.

Beguiling - Solid runner-up effort from rail post at Oak Tree in last, close debut runner-up before that, another with swift worktab for return, pair of bullet drills from most recent four moves and nice Del Mar gate work on the 23rd, ready?

Value Play -- Royal Debut

3RD RACE:

Dr. Threesixty - Climbing early while debut 2nd at Hollypark mid-June in last, switches barns to Mitchell since raced, most recent trio of works at Del Mar with a bullet drill over this track on the 15th, adds blinkers, Dr. graduation at hand.

Running Thunder - Dueled lead and just missed while 2nd by a head as odds-on favorite in last, dueled lead and swerved early when outkicked and runner-up in debut before that, Pincay stays on Ward trainee to make ammends?

Value Play -- Sea Colony

4TH RACE:

Naninja - Made up ground while 5th on Hollypark lawn in last, in the quinella 9 of 20 lifetime turf starts with a half-dozen victories, won overnight stakes over this course in '97, McCarron takes over on Mitchell trainee, good spot for action.

Clure - Hard knocking runner game winner by a nose in last pair of outings over Hollypark lawn, in the quinella in all 5 starts at this distance on turf with a trio of wins and 3-of-5 over this course with a victory, always a factor.

Value Play -- Roller Skate

5TH RACE:

Taybrook - 1st time starter by Hawkster, steady worktab with bullet drill back on 5/11, nice recent 7-panel move on the 17th, draws good post, gets lasix and Fernando for debut, Cerin trainee well placed to graduate if ready.

Strike That Reply - Strike last effort when overmatched on Golden Gate lawn first time routing when in need of an outing, runner-up for a tag sprinting before that, 3rd three races back, Solis on Holledorfer trainee, placed right in this spot.

Value Play -- A Good Dancer

6TH RACE:

Lacquaria - Finally returns to races after delays, continues with steady works that includes most recent Del Mar move on the 25th, classy Cal-bred need only return to early career form, McCarron returns on Shirreffs trainee, may need one though.

Pert Laura - Outrun in state-bred overnight stakes long and short on lawn in last pair of outings, 3-wide and solid runner-up effort at one-turn on the main three races back, in the money in all 3 Del Mar outings without a win, maybe here.

Value Play -- Kalookan Angel

7TH RACE:

Malek - Grade I winner returns here to prep for Pacific Classic on August 29th, set pace and game 3rd in Grade I Hollywood Gold Cup in last, most recent pair of works bullet drills with last one over this track on the 26th, is the class of the field, but beware, this is not main objective.

Smile Again - 4-wide early, made bid and flattened out when 4th in Grade II Bel Air 'Cap when in need of an outing in last, in the quinella 5 of 9 prior lifetime outings with 4 victories, Flores returns, had tightener, could be tough now.

Value Play -- Refried Dreams

8TH RACE:

La Vie En Rose - Pressed early then weakened to 4th in last, debut 4th at Hollypark before that, switches barns to Abrams now, most recent bullet gate drill over this track on the 24th, La Vie En route to Rosey diploma here.

Jeremy's Angel - Dueled lead and held runner-up when in need of a race in last, set pace and shortened stride when 4th before that, draws good post, Steiner stays on Hess trainee, graduation theft on agenda.

Value Play -- Corwyn Belle