Ralph Siraco’s selections for Santa Anita

Thursday, March 18, 1999 | 10:46 a.m.

Selections made for clear racing conditions before scratches

Friday's card

1ST RACE:

Gator In Excess - First-time starter by In Excess, bullet gate drill from pair of works for debut, good post, Flores/Baffert team.

Bala Shark - Part of potent pair entry, has two bullet drills from four works with most recent move from the gate with entrymate on the 12th, two-punch threat from Sadler barn.

Value Play -- In Lust With Loot

2ND RACE:

Pondero's Leader - Made bid, led and outfinished when close 2nd while re-claimed by trainer O'Neill in last, in the quinella 9 of 26 lifetime starts with a half-dozen victories, draws good rail post and gets hustling Puglisi here.

Just Java - Gutty old class horse sharp right now, beat top pick to win last, 3rd in last and won three races back, in the quinella 6 of 9 starts at this distance with 4 victories, Pincay returns on Mitchell trainee.

Value Play -- Festivo

3RD RACE:

Self Feeder - Loomed boldly when close 2nd in restricted Anita turf stakes in last, won prior pair of outings, in the quinella 8 of 10 lifetime starts with 4 wins, Delahoussaye stays, will be in the fight.

Special Quest - Dueled lead in Grade II Anita turf stakes mid-January and faded in last, freshened with steady solid works since with a bullet move over the course 2/28, won U.S. debut at this distance over this course before that, proven winner off the shelf.

Value Play -- Vetheuil

4TH RACE:

Ticklish Issue - Stalked early, got the lead and held game close 3rd from the rail at this trip in last, close runner up from outside post before that, nice work since raced, off the rail, Gomez stays for graduation.

Fox Run - Four wide 3rd in comeback effort in last, pair of nice works since raced, draws better post here, had race, Ramsammy stays, Fox graduation?

Value Play -- Fight to Finish

5TH RACE:

Exbourne Free - Ducked Wednesday stakes for this, made wide rally and close 3rd in last, 3-wide runner up before that---both at this distance and course, another bullet drill on the 14th since raced, Desormeaux/ Frankel combo.

Sweet Life - Caught best stride late to close 8 lengths to split field while 4th down the hill in last, has improved with each of three career starts since December debut maiden breaker, Solis takes over, good rail post for stretchout.

Value Play -- Memoranda

6TH RACE:

Commanche Code - Part of potent entry with 1st time starter Bomber's Moon, had solid debut 3rd while wide from outside post in April of last year, steady works for return to races, Gomez on this part of Headley- trained entry.

Hollycombe - First-time starter by Capote, steady solid Hollypark worktab with bullet drill on 1/4 and most recent swift gate move on the 14th, Free House connections with McCarron for debut.

Value Play -- Anthony's Value

7TH RACE:

Miss Ulele - Eliminated when jostled and checked while in need of an outing in last, troubled trips in previous pair of starts at higher levels, trio of nice works since raced, Antley takes over on Hendricks trainee, good spot for action.

Wishful Sky - Wide throughout and outrun on the turf in last, overmatched in prior pair of outings, broke maiden routing on Hollypark main four races back, realistically placed here, Puglisi takes over on Shulman trainee.

Value Play -- Blessed

8TH RACE:

H.F. Brimstone - Early foot to set pace and held debut 2nd in last, nice maintenance work since raced, Pincay takes over for this, race experience now, diploma theft on agenda.

Ang - First-time starter by Memo, steady series of Anita works, well placed and good outer post, Eddie D. stays for the nightcap debut on Stute trainee.

Value Play -- Sewreen