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

Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1999 | 9:52 a.m.

Thursday's card

1ST RACE

Buena - Fourth at the fair in last, runner-up at Del Mar before that, won three races back at the beach, drops a level, P. Val. on Mitchell trainee.

Shifty Hussey - Dueled lead and held 2nd at the fair in last, 3rd before that, won while claimed three races back, has a pair of Anita wins, fits here.

Value Play -- Beright

2ND RACE

Mr. Doubledown - Dueled with Lexicon in Bay Meadows Sprint 'Cap before fading in last, in the quinella 13 of 17 starts at this distance with all 11 career victories, no Lexicons here.

Men's Exclusive - Runner-up in the Bay Meadows Sprint 'Cap in last, 2nd in last three outings, in the quinella 11 of 14 starts at this distance with all 6 career victories, a factor throughout again.

Value Play -- Elmhurst

3RD RACE

Golden Genes - Didn't fire in needed outing at Del Mar and split the field in last, 2nd by a nose at Hollypark before that, runner-up in 3 of most recent 5 starts, finds easy try for maiden breaker here.

Higher - Fourth at the fair in last, runner-up at Del Mar before that, makes third start since return, Valdivia stays, good as top pick and better than most in here.

Value Play -- Sisterinthelead

4TH RACE

Prized Friend - Three-wide bid in maiden breaker sprinting in last, debut 3rd before that, bred to love the lawn, most recent bullet drill on the 27th, stretches out and Gomez takes over for this.

Hushed Victory -Outrun in state-bred allowance race in last, broke maiden gate-to-wire before that, almost won only turf outing while close 2nd three races back, McCarron takes over on McAnally trainee.

Value Play -- Too High

5TH RACE

Kristin -Inside post sprinting at Del Mar in debut in last, adds blinkers for this, pair of works since raced, Solis stays on Sadler trainee.

Iron Duchess - Broke in the air and eased routing at the fair in last, runner-up at 7-panels before that, posted gate work since raced, back to one-turn now, better chance here.

Value Play -- Ceemenowceeyalater

6TH RACE

Irrelevant - Steadied at the start and rallied for 4th at the fair when claimed in last, new trainer Mitchell tabs P. Val. for this and needs prompt start from inside post, makes third start since return.

Wynhurst -Fourth with no rally when overmatched in last, 4th at much higher level before that, drops again looking for competitive level, Black stays, may have found that level here.

Value Play -- Anniversary Year

7TH RACE

Fearless Pirate - Claimed for fifth time from last nine starts while no late bid in last, returns at claimed level here, loves this downhill run, in the quinella 4 of 10 starts down the hill with a pair of wins, reunites with Solis for this.

Out Of Mind - Brazilian import make first U.S. start down tricky hill from rail post, Group II winner in homeland, in the quinella 4 of 6 lifetime starts with a trio of victories, gets first time lasix and McCarron on Mandella trainee, interesting possibility.

Value Play -- Brown Buffalo

8TH RACE

Brite Nite - Outrun in both career starts prompts drop to claimer now, steady works since raced with most recent pair of moves bullet drills, Sorenson says he'll return, good as any in weak nightcap.

Lots Of Chrome - Three-wide distant 4th at Del Mar in last, just missed when 2nd by a head before that, runner-up three races back as well, gets off the rail post now, Pedroza stays on Zucker trainee.

Value Play -- Flying Firebirds