Ralph Siraco’s selections for Thursday’s races at Hollywood Park

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1999 | 10:20 a.m.

Thursday's card

1st Race -- Aerial Meeting - Been knocking on graduation door, altered path when 2nd in last, 2nd by a neck before that, 3rd in debut at Del Mar three races back, bullet drill since raced, Nakatani returns on Dollace trainee, diploma time. Pure In Excess - Dueled lead and weakened to 3rd while top pick was 2nd in last, off slow, steadied and debut 4th before that, continues bullet drills at training center, Sorenson stays, logical challenger for diploma here. Value Play -- November Sky

2nd Race -- Lady Cadet - Distant 4th in allowance outing in last, 5th in Fairplex stakes before that, in the quinella half of 8 Hollypark starts with 3 of 9 career victories, competitive level here, winning rider Desormeaux returns. Sweetcakesanshakes - Broke in the air and eliminated down the hill at Anita in Cal-Cup Distaff 'Cap when in need of an outing in last, 2-for-3 at Hollypark, 2 of 4 lifetime wins at this distance, versatility is a plus. Value Play -- My Wild Rose

3rd Race -- Mr Bulldog - Non-threatening 3rd at twice this price in last, claimed while distant 4th before that, all 3 career victories from 5 Hollypark starts, Carava trainee takes class drop and Pincay tabbed for money run. Ole by Me - Stalked and close 2nd in last, 3-wide, led and 2nd before that, in the quinella 5 of 13 starts this year, drops a notch, Black takes over, good post and good spot for action. Value Play -- Notsosaintly

4th Race -- Doucette - No threat when 5th in last, 3rd before that---both at this level on Anita lawn, loves this course, in the quinella 4 of 7 starts over this course with all 3 career victories, Nakatani stays, horse for course angle. Treasure Town - In tight and steadied with no chance in Cal-Cup Matron in last, stalked and finished well while close 2nd at Fairplex before that, won on Del Mar sod three races back, throw out last, a player here. Value Play -- Tart

5th Race -- Excess Pleasure - Bobbled at the start, rushed up to duel lead and tired to 4th in last, gate-to-wire winner with strong handling before that, in the quinella 4 of most recent 7 starts with a pair of wins, a factor throughout. Most of All - No rally down the hill at Anita in last, outrun on turf before that, won 2 of prior 4 dirt starts, returns to main now, 2nd only time at this distance, Delahoussaye gets the call on Fanning trainee for this. Value Play -- Wishingmakesitso

6th Race -- Gleeful Jig - Split foes late for 3rd down the hill at Anita in last, bobbled at the start and no threat in Cal-Sires stakes before that, forced pace and edged away for maiden breaker three races back, Pincay takes over. The Martian - Dueled lead and pulled away to break maiden by daylight in last, has progressively improved in each of most recent trio of starts, Berrio stays for repeat try, well placed to turn the trick here. Value Play -- Along Came George

7th Race -- Brilliantly - Dueled between horses and 2nd in last, dueled lead and gamely won before that, in the quinella half of 14 lifetime starts with a pair of victories, Ramsammy fits Baffert trainee well, sharp right now. Timber Baron - 'Other' Baffert trainee here, strong handling to win at this trip at Anita in last, 3rd before that, broke maiden by a head three races back, both lifetime victories at this distance, Flores stays here. Value Play -- Dancing Afleet

8th Race -- Lovbudd's Brass - 1st time starter by Dixie Brass (Dixieland Band), solid works with bullet gate drill on recent tab, nice recent gate drill on the 13th, well placed, good post, P. Val. for debut. True Victory - 3-wide bid, got lead and 2nd in last, dueled, got lead and just missed when 2nd by a head at Fairplex three races back, bullet Fairplex drill since raced, hustling Puglisi back, victory true here? Value Play -- Danseur Noble