Ralph Siraco’s selections for Wednesday’s races at Del Mar

Tuesday, Sept. 7, 1999 | 10:44 a.m.

Wednesday's card

1ST RACE

Trapper'shabit -- Wide trip when split field with distant 5th at 7-Panels in last, decent 3rd before that, makes first start for new trainer Spawr here, Solis takes over, not much to beat in this. Sum Deal -- Split field when distant 4th first time at two-turns in last, 4-wide distant 4th before that, draws good post, Flores takes over on Abrams trainee, another with chance in weak affair. Value Play -- Dance Sharp

2ND RACE

Canyon Crest -- Rated off the pace and just missed when 2nd by a head from rail post in last, 3rd in 2-of-3 prior outings, runner-up when claimed five races back, 2-for-3 at this distance, Pincay returns for trainer Mitchell. Lost Again -- Clear gate-to-wire winner of last, in the quinella 6 of 10 starts this year with 4 of 9 lifetime victories, should go for the lead again from outside post here, tries longer trip for first time here, Solis stays. Value Play -- King's Honor

3RD RACE

Mantilla -- Dueled lead from inside post, met bid and outfinished when 2nd by a head while claimed in last, troubled debut run when 5th before that, trio of solid works since raced with bullet drill on 8/21, daughter of Manila tries lawn now. Trust Your Heart -- 3-wide trip and closed gamely to fall one-length short while 2nd when in need of an outing in last, another bred to like turf (Relaunch) tries the green and stretches out here, good works, had race, beware. Value Play -- Echoes Of Love

4TH RACE

Snowberg -- Split horses late for runner-up in last, 3-wide game win before that, in the quinella 6 of 7 starts this year with 4 victories and in all three Del Mar starts with a win, Solis fits her well, race sets up for another victory here. Mountain Medley -- Freshening since late May runner-up effort produced strong sprint win in last, in the quinella 6 of 9 starts at this distance with a trio of wins, 2-for-2 at Del Mar, pair of bullet drills since raced, bounce is only concern. Value Play -- Brulay

5TH RACE

Malibu Skylar -- Dueled lead and weakened off 6-month layoff in last, set pace and decent 5th before that---both outings on lawn, now drops back to claimer for lowest tag of career, has a chance to steal diploma here. Bujones -- Dueled lead and weakened sprinting in last, outrun at higher level in debut before that, draws rail for the stretchout, takes blinkers off indicates may try rating just off pace from wood here, Berrio/Avila dangerous pairing at times. Value Play -- Lightning Gray

6TH RACE

Lexa -- French invader has decent over-the-pond credentials, in the quinella 5 of 9 starts with 4 victories, last race was a Group II win in October '98, solid steady works for U.S. debut, McCarron scales for trainer Ellis here. King Clef -- 3-wide trip for a clunker 5th in restricted dirt stakes in last, won high-priced optional claimer over this course before that, in the quinella 6 of most recent 10 outings with 4 victories, back on preferred surface, reuintes with Solis here. Value Play -- Robynhood

7TH RACE

Availability -- Mild late bid for 5th in return to southland in last, 0-for-8 this year but Greenman trainee stays on main track and retains Gomez here, draws good post in open affair, good spot for action. Way the Best -- Eventful outing in last, fractious at the gate, bobbled, then dueled lead and held 3rd in game effort, popular 7-year-old gelding has been claimed 6 of most recent 11 starts, Solis returns, may be Way the Best here. Value Play -- Cannon

8TH RACE

Dixie Union -- Mandella trainee perfect with a trio of solid victories, won Futurity prep with a gutty victory in the Best Pal stakes in last, won Hollywood Juvenile at Hollypark before that after debut maiden breaker, deserves billing as one-to-beat, but, concern about addition of lasix here. Commendable -- Broke maiden like an old pro in handy debut effort with a 3-wide bid from outside post in last, swift series of bullet drills followed by solid pair of works since raced, Stevens lands Team Lukas mount now, could be something special. Value Play -- Captain Steve

9TH RACE

Worththegamble -- Lugged out and outrun early in the meet in debut in last, returns here with solid works since raced that include pair of bullet gate drills from most recent trio of moves, adds blinkers, expect marked improvement here. Touch Of Grandeur -- 3-wide and no rally at Pleasanton in early July in last, chased in debut 4th before that, steady works at seaside for return, another that adds blinkers to equipment here, trainer West tabs Steiner for this. Value Play -- Sally's Comet

10TH RACE

Dunson -- Dueled lead from inside and gamely held close runner-up when outfinished in last, 4-wide and came back when 2nd sprinting on Hollypark lawn before that, broke maiden three races back, Pedroza reunites on beaten favorite. Heightenedawarenes -- Tracked and runner-up at a mile in last, dueled lead and runner-up at same before that, in the quinella in all 3 Del Mar outings with a victory, versatility makes this one attractive with Solis aboard, a factor throughout. Value Play -- Hailtheliquidator