Ralph Siraco’s Santa Anita selections

Wednesday, March 22, 2000 | 9:41 a.m.

Thursday's races

1st Race -- Sturge Weber - Draws well for the short dash, good baby combo with jockey Antley and trainer Stute, prompt start essential. Bafferta - Training at Pomona, draws wood for this, Atkinson for Quarter Horse trainer Collins here. Value Play -- Golden Ballet (A-entry)

2nd Race -- Five Nines - Draws well for the sprint run, Garcia aboard Cassidy trainee, good spot to score. John's Hope - Hustling Pedroza aboard Abrams trainee, should get good ground-saving trip from inside, adds nasal strip. Value Play -- Light Up The Year

3rd Race -- High Honor - Draws middle post for the mile run, Desormeaux lands here on Cerin trainee, lasix and nasal strip along. Margin Money - Newcomer Bravo gets the nod on Hess trainee here, position into first turn tells tale from outside post, good action spot. Value Play -- Jefferson County

4th Race -- Bienquisto - Good post for the mile turf outing, bred to like the lawn, respect connections of Flores/Gonzalez/McCafferty & Toffan. Breko - Another who travels well on lawn, draws right outside top pick, Desormeaux/ Gallagher/Paulson connections here. Value Play -- Setting The Stage

5th Race -- Annual Rainfall - Gomez aboard Canani trainee for Golden Eagle Farm, draws good inner post for the mile, should get the trip. A La Reine - Talented filly draws outside post here, Flores on Mandella trainee, first turn trip tells the tale for victory. Value Play -- Queenie Belle

6th Race -- Brown's Champion - Hard knocker at this level, should be a forward factor from inner start, Gomez again on Lewis trainee. Gold Face - Draws good middle post here, jockey/trainer combo get limited chances, expect most of those chances in this. Value Play -- Odbe Surprized

7th Race -- Self Feeder - Irish-bred runner stout on the green, Delahoussaye again for trainer Gallagher, good spot here. Star Performance - Espinoza gets chance on Frankel trainee, should be a factor throughout, jockey and trainer having good meet. Value Play -- Such Charisma

8th Race -- Playmera - Hustling bug boy for trainer Silva, draws good post, adds blinkers for this. Mary Moscow - Draws good outside post for the 7-panel run, Enriquez scales Gaines trainee, good as any here. Value Play -- Grab The Lady