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

Friday, Oct. 8, 1999 | 8:32 a.m.

Saturday's card

1st Race -- Force of Habit - Steadied a bit at crunch time and beaten a neck while 2nd at the fair in last, second best at Del Mar at this trip while claimed before that, Flores takes over on Vienna trainee, gets good inside post too. Sweet for a Moment - Won last pair of outings while claimed in both, runner by a head at a mile three races back, in the quinella in all 3 starts at this distance and 7 of 15 lifetime with 5 victories, a factor throughout. Value Play -- Peter's Ballad

2nd Race -- Sycamore Springs - 3-wide and weakened at the fair in last, outrun in prior pair of starts since claimed, however 4 of 7 lifetime victories at Anita and at this distance, drops to competitive level and Solis takes over for this. Ayer Hoy Manana - Stalked early and weakened at the fair in last, second best before that, 2-for-5 at this distance, switches to hustling rider Berrio now, should be a forward factor throughout in this. Value Play -- Indomable

3rd Race -- Shot M D - Dueled lead and gamely held close 3rd at Del Mar in last, dueled and won before that, close 3rd three races back, in the quinella 8 of 17 lifetime starts with a half-dozen wins, Pincay stays on Spawr trainee. Rahy's Quackerjack - Dueled lead and held close runner-up in last, won prior pair of outings, 2 of 4 lifetime victories from 5 starts at this distance, P. Val. takes over on Mitchell-trained speedster, may be hard to overhaul here. Value Play -- Roundabout Rock

4th Race -- Modestly - Bobbled at the start from rail post and recovered to finish 3rd in comeback effort off 10-month layoff in last, decent 4th to split the field in only turf try over this course before that, Solis takes over on McAnally trainee, had race, beware. Torrentina - Made 3-wide bid and no match for the winner while 2nd on Del Mar lawn in last, 4th in prior pair of outings and runner-up first time on turf four races back at Hollypark, Puglisi stays on Canani trainee with good rail post here. Value Play -- Wild Classy Lady

5th Race -- Exbourne Free - Returns to races with swift worktab that includes a pair of bullet drills from most recent trio of moves, in the quinella 3 of 5 lifetime starts and 1-for-1 at this distance, broke maiden at first asking, Desormeaux/Frankel duo. Lorline - In tight and waited to win at this trip in last, should track from rail post in this spot, McCarron returns on McAnally trainee, has a chance to trip out here. Value Play -- Capote's Caper

6th Race -- French Fable - This one could be one of the ones, 1st time starter by French Deputy has a string of bullet drills, 6 of most recent 9 moves were the best-of-the-day variety, McCarron scales McAnally trainee, works say something special. Here's Zealous - Overcame awkward start and tight-quarters for solid debut runner-up in last, Dehere offspring had nice work since, draws better post now, has race experience, Puglisi re-rides for trainer Hendricks, a diploma factor. Value Play -- Strollin

7th Race -- Rate Cut - Returns to races with steady works, competed at higher levels in career while in the quinella 5 of 19 starts on turf with a trio of wins, well placed with these to make early impact, Solis returns to scale Frankel trainee. Prize Giving - Another returner with classy back races, in the quinella 10 of 28 lifetime turf starts and half of 10 starts at this distance with a trio of victories, sharp works at training center, trainer Drysdale tabs Valdivia here. Value Play -- Kravis

8th Race -- Spain - The reign lays mainly on this Spain, runner-up to Chilukki in Del Mar Debutante in last, broke maiden with promise before that, Stevens returns, if anyone can improve enough to beat Chilukki this gal might be the one, take a chance. Chilukki - Reigning champ among freshmen fillies, perfect 5-for-5 in a career that spans Kentucky to Southern California, she---like the top pick---is heading for Breeders' Cup, Flores/Baffert combo, may keep on clicking. Value Play -- Abby Girl

9th Race -- Follow Woody - They followed Woody in debut maiden breaker then Woody followed Prime Timber in November '98 outing in last, swift worktab for return to races with most recent bullet 6-panel drill on the 1st, tough if ready. Valley Don - Won while claimed at Del Mar in last, pulled up and vanned off before that, won three races back, nice works since raced, 2-for-7 this year, should be a forward factor throughout, Sorenson returns on West trainee. Value Play -- Sizzling Summer

10th Race -- Halo Ryan - Has had many chances, but this is a weak affair, Del Mar 3rd two races back after stumbling at the start with Pincay returning is good enough to get the diploma here in a grab-bag finale. Goingwitheflo - Seven-time maiden stalked and held 3rd at the fair in last, 4th before that, may be a Fairplex runner or may be improving enough to menace a graduation here, just go with the flo. Value Play -- Aqua