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

Friday, June 25, 1999 | 8:35 a.m.

Saturday's card

1ST RACE:

Optical Solution - Off slowly from rail post and rallied to win at this trip and course in last, dueled lead and broke maiden in debut before that, steps up in conditions here, Delahoussaye stays for repeat try. T. G.'s Girl - Lacked response while 5th in state-bred stakes at this trip in last, won at same trip before that, in the quinella 8 of 13 lifetime starts with a trio of victories, hustling Espinoza again. Value Play -- L'autre Monde

2ND RACE:

Confound - 1st time starter by Capote, solid steady Hollypark works, draws inside post, trainer Mandella tabs McCarron for debut, respect connections. Defining Style - 1st time starter by Out of Place, swift worktab with most recent pair of drills bullet moves with one from the gate, draws rail post, trainer Baffert gets Flores for debut, works say speedy. Value Play -- Grand Forks

3RD RACE:

Kona Wind - Fractious at the starting gate and split field with solid 4th in needed outing in last, in the quinella 3 of 7 Hollypark starts with a maiden win, swift works since raced with most recent bullet drill on the 23rd, Solis/Stute combo. Personal Pride - Brazilian-raced import makes U.S. debut here off solid worktab, bullet 7-panel drill on the 16th, in the quinella 4 of 7 lifetime starts with a trio of victories, trainer Lloyd batting 29 percent at the meet, Eddie D. aboard. Value Play -- Quake

4TH RACE:

Kalookan Baby - Part of solid Headley-trained entry with Maria Alana, best of the rest 3rd in last, broke maiden sprinting three races back, additional pair of bullet drills since raced, Solis stays here, entrymate gives pari-mutuel support. Sea of Ice - Stalked and won state-bred allowance sprint in last, broke maiden before that, 2-for2 at Hollypark, gets good post here, Black back on Jones trainee, hat trick within realm. Value Play -- Memoranda

5TH RACE:

Follow The Money - Off slowly and improved position when distant debut 6th sprinting on the main in last, solid most recent 6-panel work on the 18th since raced, now stretches out on turf, McCarron sees enough to scale here for trainer Hofmans, hmmm? Magic Hill - British-bred import has failed to break maiden in 7 stateside starts, 4th in last, 3rd before that, draws good post, Garcia back, needed last outing off 11 week rest, Magic to come sometime. Value Play -- Allegretto

6TH RACE: Gambling Demon - Lacked room on the rail and closed to just miss while 2nd by a neck in last, handy daylight maiden breaker before that, swift work on the 20th since raced, Nakatani stays on Dollace trainee to make ammends. Hailtheliquidator - Troubled 4th routing in last, close runner-up sprinting before that, returns at that trip here, reunites with maiden breaker rider Pincay now, could trip out in this heat, good spot for action. Value Play -- Hold the Prize

7TH RACE:

General Challenge - Starts second season after disastrous Kentucky Derby bid, solid swift works highlighted by a trio of recent bullet drills from last 4 moves, 4-for-6 lifetime, 1-for-1 at Hollypark, Flores reunites with Baffert trainee here. Desert Hero - Another who picks up career after Derby fiasco, impressive pair of early victories shows this colt's promise, solid works for return to races, trainer Mandella retains services of Nakatani for Thoroughbred Corp. runner. Value Play -- Red Sky's

8TH RACE:

Astarabad - Blocked and rallied for 4th in Grade I Hollypark turf stakes at same distance off 6-month layoff in last, 5th in prior pair of Graded stakes on North American continent, Group I winner in France, Eddie D. now on Canani trainee, beware. Dancing Place -- Off slow and 3rd on Anita lawn in U. S. debut at Oak Tree in last, steady Hollypark works since with most recent trio of moves over this turf, Desormeaux returns on Drysdale trainee, major player if ready. Value Play -- Musgrave

9TH RACE:

Manistique - Returns to races off 11-week freshening, had excuse for dismal Oaklawn Park effort in last, won 7 of 8 prior lifetime starts with 5 Graded stakes victories, swift solid works for comeback, McCarron now on Shirreffs trainee, ready to start another win streak. Gourmet Girl - Won Grade I Milady 'Cap with heady ride by Delahoussaye in last, in the quinella 10 of 15 lifetime starts and in all 6 Hollypark starts with all 4 career victories, Eddie D. back to try catching lightning again. Value Play -- Yolo Lady

10TH RACE:

Peninsula Girl - Wide and finished debut 3rd early-May in last, steady solid works since raced with a pair of bullet drills--1 from the starting gate--of most recent 6 moves, Nakatani takes over on Hassinger-trained beaten favorite. Moonlight Ransom - 1st time starter by Red Ransom, solid steady Hollypark worktab with bullet 6-panel drill on 5/30, draws outside post, trainer Baffert gets Flores to scale for debut, holds field at Ransom for diploma here? Value Play -- Spicy Spicy

archive