Ralph Siraco’s selection for Santa Anita

Friday, March 12, 1999 | 10:01 a.m.

Selections made for clear racing conditions before scratches

Saturday's card

1ST RACE:

Sure Man - Broke slowly and distant runner up to Apremont in last, got lead and debut 2nd by a nose before that, steady works continue, Solis stays for graduation.

Sheikh Abandon - By 1991 Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Sheikh Albadou, wide, led and outkicked while close debut runner up at Del Mar in last, returns to races on solid worktab with most recent bullet drill on the 4th, McCarron returns on beaten favorite.

Value Play -- Merhy

2ND RACE:

Private Audience - Ran on willingly for 2nd in comeback effort in last, off slow and 5-wide when 4th in U.S. debut before that, nice works since raced, Valdivia stays on Cassidy trainee.

Roget's Run - 3rd sprinting in last, in the money 5 of a dozen lifetime starts, back to two-turns here, Black back, should be a forward factor for diploma.

Value Play -- To the West

3RD RACE:

Virginie - Brazilian champ makes U.S. debut, boasts a perfect 7-for-7 record in homeland with three most recent victories Group I races, working well for return, Naktani gets assignment from trainer Mandella to keep unblemished streak.

Curitiba - 4-wide close runner up in Grade III Bay Meadows grass stakes in last, runner up in Grade III stakes over this course at Oak Tree three races back, bullet 6-panel drill since raced, reunites with Solis for this.

Value Play -- Finally

4TH RACE:

Gilded Diamond - First-time starter by Gilded Time, solid Anita worktab with bullet 6-panel drill on 2/18, trainer Mandella tabs Nakatani for debut.

Meandering - Game 2nd by a neck in last, debut 2nd at Golden Gate before that, continues moring work at training center, Pincay returns, a foward factor for diploma.

Value Play -- Devil Or Angel

5TH RACE:

Cyrano Storme - Getting to be downhill specialist, won back-to- back down the hill in last pair of outings, 3-for-5 down the course, reunites with winning rider Solis for this, Cyrano storms from behind for hat trick here.

Abacus Andy - Another with recent downhill victory in last, won Hollypark grass sprint four races back, in the quinella 11 of 23 lifetime starts with 8 victories, Steiner returns.

Value Play -- Troysend

6TH RACE:

Prim Flower - Pressed pace early from inside post and held debut 3rd in last, trio of maintenance works since raced, should roll for the lead from inside post again, race experience, hustling Espinza takes over.

No Malo - First-time starter by Bien Bien, solid Anita worktab that includes smart most recent gate drill on the 8th, Free House connections tab their Big 'Cap jock McCarron for debut.

Value Play -- Sarcastic Humor

7TH RACE:

Prime Timber - Wide throughout and collared at the wire by Desert Hero while 2nd by a neck in Grade II San Rafael Stakes in last, runner up in Grade I Hollywood Futurity before that, won prior pair of career outings, Flores/Baffert team.

Exploit - Kentucky Derby future book favorite puts perfect 5-for-5 record on the line, won Grade II San Vincente Stakes over the track in comeback effort in last, swift drills since raced with bullet 7-panel move on the 5th, another in Baffert arsenal.

Value Play -- High Wire Act

8TH RACE:

Anytime - Big run from outside post and boxed in late to just miss by a neck while 2nd in last, Broke slow, awaited room and blocked midstretch to still break maiden in U.S. debut before that----both over this course, McCarron/McAnally combo.

Scattergun - Rank run and 4th to top pick in last, rank while fighting rider to just miss by a neck when 2nd in U.S. debut before that---both over this course, swift works since raced with bullet drill on 2/23, Nakatani takes over on Canani trainee.

Value Play -- Physique

9TH RACE:

Path to Power - Dueled lead and gamely held deadheat 2nd in last, got the lead and outkicked while runner up before that, takes significant drop in class for this, hustling Puglisi stays for third start back from layoff.

Pardo's Capote - Another that takes serious class drop for return to races, stalked and steadied when outrun on the turf at Oak Tree in last, in the quinella half of 14 career starts and half of a dozen starts last year, proven winner off-the-shelf.

Value Play -- I've Had It