Ralph Siraco’s Santa Anita selections

Friday, April 5, 2002 | 9:02 a.m.

Saturday's card

1st Race -- Comedy Class - Nakatani atop Spawr trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, draws good post for sprint opener, Class may be no laughing matter for foes. Trackofthecat - Draws just inside top pick for allowance/claimer, McCarron on Zucker trainee, Track-of-the-cat may be to winners circle. Value Play -- Fort Donna

2nd Race -- Chiselling - Training at Hollypark, Solis scales Frankel trainee, good spot in crowded turf mile maiden outing. Delong - Draws just inside top pick in full field, Baze aboard Dollace trainee, sans blinkers for this. Value Play -- Box Office Event

3rd Race -- Freedom Crest - Desormeaux back aboard Baltas trainee, draws good spot in Grade II stakes, should be in the mix throughout. Bosque Redondo - McCarron again on Gonzalez trainee for owners McCaffery & Toffan, another that should be a factor throughout. Value Play -- Last Parade

4th Race -- Jokerman - Stevens atop Hofmans trainee for owners Heerensperger, must overcome outside post in turf mile claimer, should hold decent price. Scoring Slew - Training at Hollypark, Solis aboard Dollace trainee, draws good middle post in full field on greensward. Value Play -- Visual Energy

5th Race (The Santa Anita Derby) -- Came Home - Leading West Coast candidate for Kentucky Derby punches ticket to Louisville with top effort, McCarron again on Gonzalez trainee for owners McCaffery & Toffan, has won pair of preliminaries to warrant favorite's role. Mayakovsky - Gotham stakes winner trains in Southern California and stays here for this, P. Val gets takes over on Biancone trainee, speedster is certain to be the Derby target in this, may be elusive one. Value Play -- U S S Tinosa

6th Race -- Fabulous Guy - Irish-bred training at Hollypark, Espinoza on Jory trainee, needs crafty journey from rail post in full field going down the hill here. Smith And Western - British-bred draws good middle post for turf claimer, Flores on Vienna trainee, good spot for action. Value Play -- Always Game

7th Race -- My Captain - Part of Moss-owned coupled entry with Ramiro, Solis/Mandella here, Pincay/Sadler there, double diploma threat. Requesto - Draws good middle post for sprint maiden outing, Espinoza on Baffert trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, Requesto graduation-o. Value Play -- Do Whats Right

8th Race -- Friendly Wager - Pincay atop Mitchell trainee, needs crafty trip from post eight at turf mile, Wager may engage Friendly fire here. Indiahoma - Draws good inner post in full field claimer, Desormeaux on Carava trainee, could trip out in this. Value Play -- Chatting

9th Race -- Sudden Glory - McCarron scales Shirreffs trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, post draw a concern, respect connections. Gyrfalcon - British-bred draws good inner post in route allowance/claimer, Desormeaux on Frankel trainee for owner Juddmonte Farm, beware. Value Play -- Pleasantly Perfect

10th Race -- Homeland - French-bred is part of Tanaka-owned coupled entry with German-bred Sumitas, Blanc/Cecil here, Desormeaux/Frankel there, solid duo. Irish Prize - Stevens again on Drysdale trainee, draws good rail post for route turf Grade II stakes, always makes it interesting with his closing charges. Value Play -- Sligo Bay

11th Race -- Miss Tropics - Solis returns on Headley trainee, draws decent post for sprint maiden finale, Miss could send backer to Tropics with graduation. Fair Bianca - Draws extreme outside post here, McCarron stays to scale Gonzalez trainee for owners McCaffery & Toffan, nightcap cap and gown? Value Play -- Nazareen