Ralph Siraco’s selections for Santa Anita

Tuesday, March 23, 1999 | 9:03 a.m.

Selections made for clear racing conditions before scratches

Wednesday's card

1ST RACE:

Empty Purse - First-time starter by Corwyn Bay, training at Fairplex with most recent pair of solid gate drills, quarterhorse connections of trainer Collins and jockey Boag for dash.

Don'tiwish - Another first-time stater by Corwyn Bay, decent Anita worktab with a trio of gate drills from most recent four moves, good post, trainer Stute tabs Garcia for debut.

Value Play -- Pirate's Mistress

2ND RACE:

Diggit - Late bid close 4th down the hill in Grade III stakes in last, runner up routing on Golden Gate lawn in U.S. debut three races back, pair of works since raced, Flores takes over on Vienna trainee.

Isaypete - Broke maiden over this course in last, runner up in only other starts on Anita lawn, pair of nice works since raced, Vergara exclusive, fits here but must overcome outside post.

Value Play -- Pettroff

3RD RACE:

Costello - Improved position to split field in debut from inside post in last, gets outside post now, Espinoza stays on Ward trainee, race experience and better post may produce diploma.

Prize Native - Three wide and just lost 2nd when 3rd in last, runner up three races back, Valdivia reunited with him in last, should enjoy the longer sprint trip here, Native could get the graduation Prize.

Value Play -- Night Verse

4TH RACE:

Robynhood - Rallied strong to just miss while close 3rd down the hill when in need of an outing in last, won prior consecutive pair of downhill outings before that, Nakatani returns on Sahadi trainee, likes the trip.

Fearless Pirate - Game close 3rd after dueling the lead from inside post down the hill in last, won at same trip before that, in the quinella half of 8 starts at the distance with a pair of victories, another who likes the trip.

Value Play -- The Exeter Man

5TH RACE:

The Wicked King - Son of the Wicked North split foes to be 3rd with improved effort in last, 4th before that, should enjoy the extra distance here, Back stays to crown King with diploma.

Head'n Home - Bobbled at the start and rallied for 2nd from inside post sprinting in last, 4-wide debut 5th before that, makes third start of career, gets better outside post here, hustling bug boy stays for trainer Greenman.

Value Play -- Panama Jim

6TH RACE:

Ahtena - No rally when overmatched early-February in last, steady works since raced, last victory came at this level at Del Mar, in the quinella half of 6 starts at this distance and at Anita, Gomez returns on Headley trainee.

Puddy Cat - Wide trip with no rally at Bay Meadows in last, won all 4 lifetime victories last year, but winless of 3 starts this year, drops to competitive level now, Ramsammy takes over, good spot to rebound.

Value Play -- Blue Talent

7TH RACE:

Mantles Star -- Closed willingly and game runner up at this trip and course in last, won Grade III Hollypark grass stakes in U.S. debut November '97, showed signs of life in last and return to that form wins this, rail post and reunites with Gomez for this.

Perssonet - Chilean import makes U.S. debut, in the quinella 5 of 7 starts in homeland with a Group I victory early-November '98 in last, smart series of works over this course, trainer Puype tabs McCarron for stateside debut.

Value Play -- Success And Glory

8TH RACE:

Jag G - Bobbled at the start, rushed up and dueled lead before fading to 3rd in game effort routng in last, runner up at 7-panels three races back, has best chance to break maiden for a tag, Desormeaux stays on Frankel trainee.

Crock Of Gold - Pressed pace and held distant runner up early-February in last, 3rd from between foes before that, steady works since raced, Valdivia stays on Pinfield trainee, a diploma factor throughout.

Value Play -- Aspenite