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

Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1999 | 11:11 a.m.

Thursday's card

1st Race -- On Time Airline - Dueled lead and weakened to 5th first time routing in last, only one in the field with two-turn experience, 3-wide distant debut 3rd before that, Solis takes over for vacating McCarron. Take A Memo - Dueled lead and weakened to 3rd at the fair in last, 4th before that, has improved with each of four lifetime starts, should be a pace factor here, chance to steal diploma. Value Play -- Roberto's Viz

2nd Race -- Baja Gold - Set pace and worn down late for close runner up at Del Mar in last, all 3 lifetime victories at this distance, pair of nice works since raced, Garcia returns on Stute trainee. Copelan's Eagle - 3-wide bid and outfinished while close 4th in last, claimed when 2nd before that, in the quinella half of 20 Anita starts with 7 of 11 lifetime victories, drops below claimed price looking for a win, Flores stays. Value Play -- Englebert

3rd Race -- Mocha Lace - Chased winner throughout when 2nd at a mile at Bay Meadows in last, wide trip when debut 5th before that, ships south now, Gomez tabbed by trainer Jenda, only drawback is outside post to overcome. Stormin' Nana - Another who chased the winner and just missed 2nd while 3rd with much improved effort in last, draw rail post for the stretchout now, should get a good trip here, maybe good enough for diploma. Value Play -- Born To Be Spoiled

4th Race -- Snowberg - Finished well for 3rd in Del Mar stakes in last, split horse for 2nd in Grade III before that, in the quinella 11 of 15 lifetime starts with a half-dozen victories, 3-for-6 at Anita, Solis stays on Gonzalez trainee. Fontal - Just missed when 2nd by a head in Fairplex stakes in last, in the quinella 10 of 19 starts on fast dirt tracks with 5 victories, should be pace-setter from rail post, reunites with Flores here, maybe elusive target. Value Play -- Morgan J.

5th Race -- Mr. Reed - Made 4-wide bid from outside post and weakened in debut in last, gets better post now, Ramsammy stays, race experience, not much here to beat. Thermal Balance - 1st time starter by Bertrando, steady works with most recent move at 7-panels on the 7th, young trainer Hofmans tabs Pincay for debut, new face interesting. Value Play -- Sunny Forecast

6th Race -- Rapidito - Outrun in Bay Meadows stakes in last, stalked pace and distant 4th in Fairplex stakes before that, drops to lowest level of four-race career here, takes the blinkers off, reunites with winning rider Valdivia for this. North Northwest - Made bid, got lead and held gamely for maiden breaker at the fair in last, runner up at Del Mar three races back, a factor thoughout in this weak affair. Value Play -- Inexcessivelytough

7th Race -- Hastenby - 5-wide bid to win U.S. debut at a mile on Del Mar turf in last, runner up in only other three lifetime starts in Great Britain, steady works since raced, McCarron returns on Frankel trainee, Euro-bounce only concern. Mary Kies - Maiden against winners here, got the lead and finished debut 3rd to top pick in last, steady works since, draws good rail post here, Nakatani stays, maiden breaker in stakes in the offering? Value Play -- Four Plus Four

8th Race -- Striding Spirit - 5th in last, 4th twice in only other pair of lifetime sprints outings, drops to half of last claiming level here, adds blinkers and Pincay for this, Striding toward graduation Spirit. Golden Genes - Close 2nd in last, runner up in half of 10 lifetime starts, makes third start since return, Flores stays, needs clean trip from rail post, certain exotics play. Value Play -- Flying Carolyn