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

Wednesday, Oct. 6, 1999 | 9:11 a.m.

Thursday's card

1ST RACE

Been to the Desert - Beaten favorite at the fair in last, got lead and second best at Del Mar before that, P. Val. now for trainer Mitchell. The Wind Moria - 3-wide 3rd at the fair in last, runner up sprint at Hollypark three races back, broke maiden at Anita, part of entry-coupling here. Value Play -- Heidijim n' Grant

2ND RACE

Rare Charmer - Returns to races from brief respite, in the quinella 9 of most recent 11 starts with 4 victories and all 3 Anita turf outings with a pair of wins, winning rider McCarron also returns. West Side - Another returner since Del Mar, 4th in last, runner up in all 4 prior U.S. starts, draws rail and McAnally trainee reunites with Solis here, should get a trip. Value Play -- Royal Terminal

3RD RACE

Megadeal - Dueled lead and weakened when 3rd at the fair in last, did same at Del Mar before that, set pace and runner up at Hollypark three races back, now drops to claimer, Mega-gone here? Classical Guitar - 1st time starter by Slewacide, steady works with a bullet breeze at Sunland Park back in April, Flores/Baffert team, respect connections. Value Play -- Control Freak (A-Entry)

4TH RACE

Ole by Me - 3-wide, led and outfinished at the fair in last, in the quinella 4 of a dozen starts this year with a pair of wins and half of 6 Anita starts with a victory, Puglisi/Aguirre combo. Missed - Made middle move and split field when 4th at the fair in last, won at this level three races back, hustling Pedroza stays on Abrams trainee, fits in weak affair. Value Play -- Pueblo Peak

5TH RACE

Silver Axe - Second best first time at a mile in last, debut runner up sprinting before that, Antley takes over on beaten Cerin-trained favorite. Gilty Moment - Dueled lead from inside and held 3rd first time routing in last, has improved with each of three lifetime starts, Black back. Value Play -- Indiana Affair

6TH RACE

Roca Jack - Mild bid when 5th in return to races in last, outrun by General Challenge in state-bred stakes on 1/1 before that, broke maiden at Hollypark three races back, had race, beware. Little Memin - Bobbled at the start and recovered for gate-to-wire maiden breaker at Del Mar in last, 4th on Hollypark turf in debut before that, nice works since raced, Solis returns here. Value Play -- Mr. Insanity

7TH RACE

Excite - 4-wide move, led and caught late to just miss when 2nd by a neck at Del Mar in needed outing in last, only one in this field to win down this hill, reunites with winning rider McCarron now, had tightener, should be ready to roll. Imperfect World - French-raced import makes U. S. debut down the hill, solid works, Group III French winner, Frankel trainee gets first time lasix and Blanc for this. Value Play -- Open Secret

8TH RACE

Gentle Words - Set pace and held for solid runner up on Del Mar lawn in last, checked and debut 4th before that, competitive filly drops to claimer now, Nakatani stays on Canani trainee, all systems go for graduation. Puype's Dream - Was anything but the trainer's namesake when outrun and overmatched on Del Mar lawn in debut in last, trio of solid works since, draws good post, drops to claimer now, Puype's Dream is winners circle. Value Play -- Bridge to Freedom