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

Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2001 | 10:02 a.m.

Thursday's card

1st Race -- Mister Banjo -- Baze aboard Mullins trainee, draws decent spot for mile opener, well placed for solid effort. Patio Boy -- Desormeaux atop Baltas trainee, draws just inside top pick, should be in the mix throughout. Value Play -- Armed 'N Crafty

2nd Race -- Perfect Judgment -- Draws good post for short maiden-claiming dash, Pincay aboard Truman trainee, adds blinkers for this trip. Delray Dazzle -- Gomez scales Jackson trainee, draws alongside top pick, Delray may Dazzle the competition. Value Play -- Prized Pistol

3rd Race -- Oh Jazzy Day -- Berrio again on Mullins trainee, sharp at this level right now, we'll go with the hot ticket until it goes cold. Subpoena -- Draws good box for the short dash, Pincay on Sadler trainee, well spotted for solid chance. Value Play -- Yerevan Express

4th Race -- Pooh Bear -- Baze scales O'Neill trainee, draws good post, should be in the mix throughout. My Mama Dear -- Hustling Pedroza atop Monteleone trainee, another in good spot, adds blinkers for this. Value Play -- Active Two

5th Race -- Bella Bella Bella -- Desormeaux sits Cassidy trainee, draws good box for short Cal-bred maiden outing, winna winna winna? Provocative Nature -- Draws good post, Gomez astride Jackson co-owned and trained runner, Nature is to win? Value Play -- Toast Of The Year

6th Race -- Escape With Me -- Smith returns on Gaines trainee, draws good post for the allowance sprint, could Escape with the victory. Bella Drive -- Baze lands here on Cecil trainee, draws good box, should be a forward factor here. Value Play -- Memoree

7th Race -- Opine -- Draws good inner post for route feature, Smith astride Sahadi trainee, should sit a catbird trip in this. Moving's Gold -- Baze on Headley trainee, draws alongside top pick, a factor throughout. Value Play -- Bolchina's Prize

8th Race -- Venus Genus -- Desormeaux aboard Sierra trainee, draws good box for sprint finale, should be in the mix all the way. Copelan's Eagle -- Hard-knocking gelding competitive at this level, draws inner box, Berrio aboard Avila trainee, beware. Value Play -- Flying Jeb