Ralph Siraco’s Selections for Santa Anita

Friday, March 26, 1999 | 10:19 a.m.

Selections made for clear racing conditions before scratches

Saturday's card

1ST RACE:

Grenda - Returns to races with solid works, most recent bullet drill on the 21st, broke maiden sprinting five races back, productive team of jockey Berrio and trainer Avila, good spot for action.

Miss Traffic - Split horses to win in last, steps up two levels now, in the quinella 3 of most recent 4 starts with a pair of victories at this distance, could be in pressure cooker from rail post, a factor throughout.

Value Play -- Santana Dance

2ND RACE:

Vignette - Finished willingly for 4th down the hill when in need of a race in last, won down this hill in U.S. debut January 1st before that, pair of works since raced, Desormeaux returns on beaten Drysdale-trained favorite.

Sweet Natalie - Strong outside rally for 2nd down the hill in last, close runner up on wet track before that, in the quinella 4 of 7 lifetime starts with a pair of victories, Gomez takes over for out-of-town McCarron on Ellis trainee.

Value Play -- Cornflower Fields

3RD RACE:

Victory Stripes - No rally 4th in Grade I Santa Margarita Handicap to Manistique in last, runner up in Grade I Santa Maria 'Cap before that, in the quinella 3 of 4 starts at this distance, better suited to these.

Snowberg - Sitting on a two-race win streak since return to races, kicked clear to win last, sprint win before that, in the quinella 7 of 9 lifetime starts with 4 victories and 5-of-5 at Anita with 3 wins, a factor throughout.

Value Play -- Fleeting Image

4TH RACE:

Act of Integrity - Dueled lead from rail post and second best in last, speed and 3rd in prior starts, draws rail post again, Pincay returns on beaten favorite, diploma theft on agenda.

Golden Realm - First-time starter by Strike Gold, steady Anita works, well placed and good post, hustling bug boy Valdez gets debut call for trainer Sadler.

Value Play -- Huddle Up Paster

5TH RACE:

Lady Cadet - Set pace and held close 3rd down the hill in last, got the lead and second best before that, won prior pair of outings, trys stretching out again, this is good spot to steal away for Pincay.

Pismo Bay - Closed with a flourish to win down the hill while beating top pick when in need of a race in last, runner up before that, gate- to-wire winner at a mile on Hollypark lawn three races back, sharp right now.

Value Play -- Sunley Seeker

6T RACE:

Gilded Diamond - First-time starter by Gilded Time, solid steady worktab with bullet 6-panel drill on 2/18, good post and trainer Mandella gets Nakatani for debut.

Gilded Thunderbird - Another Gilded Time offspring, willingly rallied for distant 4th in last, race experience now, Valdivia gets call by trainer Gregson in absence of debut rider McCarron.

Value Play -- Gone Holy

7TH RACE:

Dancing Afleet - Dueled lead and determindly won at this trip in last, speed, dueled and caught while close 3rd before that, 3-wide close 2nd three races back, speed to be dangerous with Pincay back.

Refried Dreams - Four wide and drew off to win last, trio of bullet drills from 4 workouts since raced, in the quinella 9 of 20 Anita starts with 6 of 10 lifetime victories, Desormeaux returns on Baffert trainee.

Value Play -- Hanuman Highway

8TH RACE:

Vaclav - Late for 3rd in U.S. debut down the hill in last, in the quinella 6 of 10 starts with a 4 victories in homeland of Argentina, bullet turf drill on the 19th since raced, gets first time lasix, Nakatani returns on Mandella trainee.

Tower Full - Returns to races off 14-month vacation, solid Hollypark works with bullet drill on the 10th, in the quinella 8 of last 9 starts with 5 victories, 2-for-3 down the hill, proven winner off-the-shelf, Gomez for return on Dollace trainee.

Value Play -- Bodyguard

9TH RACE:

Ben Saw San - Late bid at 3rd while close 4th first time routing in last, returns at two-turns here, Valdivia takes over for vacationing Delahoussaye on Gregson trainee, good post and style for graduation.

Patience Game - Dueled lead and worn down late when 2nd by a neck first time routing in last, four wide trip and second best in debut before that, makes first start for new trainer Hassinger, Nakatani returns on beaten favorite.

Value Play -- Devil's Tower