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

Friday, Dec. 27, 2002 | 9:18 a.m.

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

Saturday's card

1st Race -- APALACHIAN THUNDER -- Draws good post for route opener, P. Val on Baffert trainee for owner Dizney, adds blinkers to the package for this outing. OZZIE CAT -- Draws alongside top pick for allowance outing, Smith scales Lukas trainee for owner Overbrook Farm, respect connections. Value Play -- RAHY VISION

2nd Race -- SUPER STREAK -- Draws middle box for route claimer, Solis scales co-owner Headley trainee, Super effort makes Streak start here. MY KIND OF DAY -- Pincay aboard Olivares trainee, well spotted at this level, needs to overcome outside post here. Value Play -- SUFFIRE

3rd Race -- MAN AMONG MEN -- Hollypark outing was a clunker, Nakatani on young Mandella trainee, returns to course of liking? PEACE RULES -- Part of Gann-owned and Frankel-trained coupled entry with BIS REPETITAS, Espinoza here, Valdivia there, double threat in this. Value Play -- PUGET SOUND

4th Race -- PUERTO ANUS -- Pincay aboard Baffert trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, draws good box for the route, tough connections. SPACELINK -- Solis returns on Gonzalez trainee for owner McCaffery & Toffan, needs crafty ride from outer post draw in allowance outing, a forward factor. Value Play -- STRIKING SONG

5th Race -- REVENESCENT -- Draws good middle box in full field of allowance runners going downhill, P. Val sits young Mulhall trainee, good spot for action. DIAMOND HOPE -- Solis astride Mandella trainee, draws good spot here, candidate for cavalry charge finish. Value Play -- EXTRA BEAT

6th Race -- DYNA DA WYNA -- Scratched recently at Hollypark for this spot, Espinoza on Machowsky trainee, Dyna-Da-winna? LIMELIGHTER -- Draws inner box for maiden sprint, P. Val on Lukas trainee for owners Bob & Beverly Lewis, needs crafty trip for diploma. Value Play -- SASHAYING SLEW

7th Race -- BELLA BELLUCCI -- Promising filly returns to races while training at Hollypark, Smith scales Drysdale trainee, needs to be ready to win here. YOU -- Talented filly draws rail post in 7-panel Grade I stakes, P. Val now on Frankel trainee for owner Gann, this one needs the trip. Value Play -- MS. LOUISETT

8th Race -- MORE MODERN -- P. Val on Frankel trainee for owner Juddmonte Farms, barn going for trainer money-title, needs to overcome outside post here. MOTTO -- Huslting Espinoza on Mandella trainee for owners Moss, should enjoy this turf mile claimer, a factor throughtout. Value Play -- MOST LIKELY

9th Race -- MYSTIC SWORD -- Draws good middle post for sprint, Espinoza aboard Lukas trainee for owners Bob & Beverly Lewis, slays foes for diploma? IMPERIAL KING -- Solis scales co-owner Headley trainee, draws alongside top pick in maiden/claimer, could be King of nightcap for cap and gown. Value Play -- CAT TOY