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

Thursday, April 18, 2002 | 9:35 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday and his Southern California selections run Tuesday-Sunday.

1st Race -- RE ECHO - Part of Harrington-owned & trained coupled entry with Cintegrity, McCarron here, Espinoza there, double opener threat. DIVINE SPIRIT - Flores scales Baffert trainee, needs to be quick from the blocks from rail post in sprint claimer, respect connections. Value Play -- CRUISIN MAN

2nd Race -- WATER SPORTS - Bug boy Trujillo astride Stute trainee, draws good post for mile claimer, should get catbird trip. PICK OF THE VALLEY - Desormeaux returns on Abrams trainee, should be part of pace scenario from post draw, Valley may be the pick here. Value Play -- SECRET SPOT

3rd Race -- ECHO EDDIE - Puglisi gets the call on Vienna trainee, should be the target in Cal-bred stakes, might be elusive target here. MEN'S EXCLUSIVE - Returns from Dubai here, hustling Pedroza now on Ward trainee, hard knocking gelding is all heart. Value Play -- FULL MOON MADNESS

4th Race -- GREAT WHITE FATHER - Desormeaux aboard Canani trainee for owners Wygod, draws inner post for downhill maiden outing, Great graduation awaits? FIRST MESA - Bug boy Trujillo atop Gonzalez trainee for owners McCaffery & Toffan, draws good box here, Mesa could be First with right trip. Value Play -- SIX G'S

5th Race -- AMERICAN WARRIOR - Trujillo aboard this Baffert trainee, draws good post for sprint claimer, equine battle to the Warrior? PERFECT JUDGMENT - McCarron lands here for trainer Truman, draws just inside top pick, Perfect Judgment by rider puts this one in winners circle. Value Play -- BREEZING SCORE

6th Race -- MARGEDS DANDY - Training at Hollypark, Desormeaux sits Gutierrez trainee, a factor for graduation throughout. SIR TIFICATE - P. Val aboard Abrams trainee, draws good post for Cal-bred maiden/claimer, could get diploma Sir-Tificate here. Value Play -- SUPER SLEW

7th Race -- SIWARD - Desormeaux aboard Sise trainee, draws good spot for starter allowance, solid jockey-trainer combo. SAINTLY ACT - Training at Hollypark, bug boy Trujillo on Baltas trainee, draws good inner post for turf mile. Value Play -- FUSE QUICK

8th Race -- GOLDEN HARE - Stevens sits Mandella trainee, draws outside box in small field of five in route allowance/claimer, Hare going for Gold-en run. WHEELS N WINGS - Flores scales one of two Baffert-trained entries here for owner Pegram, should sit a catbird trip, motors to winners circle? Value Play -- HAWK'S TOP GUN

9th Race -- KRISPAN - Rollins aboard Shulman trainee, draws good middle post in full field of maiden/claimers at sprint distance, Kris-pan-s diploma. ILLEGIBLE - Garcia back on Stute trainee, draws good box, has been knocking on diploma door, and knocking, and knocking, and...... Value Play -- PANGLOSS