Ralph Siraco’s selections for Saturday’s races at Santa Anita

Friday, Nov. 5, 1999 | 9:50 a.m.

Saturday's card

1st Race -- Pembina - Dueled pace from rail and held 3rd in last, gate-to-wire winner at Fairplex before that, drops back to competitive level now, Berrio returns on Spawr trainee. Aloha Louie - Shipped north and outrun at higher level in last, returns south now, handy gate-to-wire maiden breaker at Hollypark three races back, hustling Puglisi takes over. Value Play -- Norm's Boy

2nd Race -- Midnite Mama - First-time starter by Affirmed, solid works that includes bullet 6-panel drill on 10/17, most recent five moves long drills, downhill run only concern of first timer, Pincay tabbed by trainer Mandella for debut. Blench - Set pace and no match for winner when runner-up off 13-month layoff in last, outrun in only other lifetime start, solid works since raced with a bullet 6-panel drill from last four moves, P. Val. for this. Value Play -- Diwaki

3rd Race -- Riviera - French import became downhill specialist, in the quinella in all 4 downhill starts in U. S. with a trio of wins that includes last race victory, solid runner gets Blanc for Breeders' Cup-bound McCarron on McAnally trainee. Quake - Returns to races with swift worktab, bullet 7-panel turf drill on 10/24, 2-for-6 this year, 1-for-2 lifetime on turf, most recent victory late-June at Hollypark two races back, can fire fresh. Value Play -- Young At Heart

4th Race -- Under Surveillance - Off slowly and rallied to just miss when 2nd by a head at a mile on lawn in last, steadied and 4th on at the fair before that, sharp work since raced, hustling Puglisi could have big day while Breeders' Cup jockeys are away. Coldwater Canyon - Stalked and 3rd in last, dueled lead from between horses and runner-up before that, stretches out now, good inner post, Pedroza takes over for Flores on Baffert trainee, keeps home team going. Value Play -- Hollywood Bull

5th Race -- Daytime - Stalked then rallied to just miss when 2nd by a nose in last, closed willingly when 2nd by a head in U. S. debut on Del Mar sod before that, in the quinella 6 of 7 starts this year, Pincay now, third time is the charm. Gold Rush - In tight and blocked from rail post and close 4th over this course at a mile in U. S. debut off 15-month layoff in last, Irish-bred returns here with good post, had race, beware. Value Play -- Wiston Cheese

6th Race -- Weinhard - Dueled lead from inside post and held 2nd in last, dueled lead from between horses and held 3rd before that, gate-to-wire maiden breaker at Del Mar three races back, should roll to lead from rail post here, Pincay for theft. Commanche Code - Chased top pick when 3rd in last, beat top pick while runner-up before that, in the quinella 5 of 9 starts this year with a maiden victory, Ramsammy now on Headley trainee. Value Play -- Celtic Count

7th Race -- Theater Gossip - Got lead, cleared then caught late when close runner-up down the hill in needed outing in last, broke maiden on Anita main last year at Oak Tree, Eddie D. takes over on Mandella trainee, had race, beware. Strings Attached - Set pace and caught late when 2nd in last, stalked and pounced to win before that, broke maiden gate-to-wire at Del Mar three races back, needs clean trip from rail for hat trick try in first lifetime turf start here. Value Play -- She's Grand