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

Monday, Dec. 30, 2002 | 9:26 a.m.

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

Tuesday's card

1st Race -- JACOBS SMILE -- Draws good inner post for mile opener, Baze aboard O'Neill trainee, Jacobs graduation supplies Smile of backers in winners circle. DARLING DEMON -- Draws well for maiden/claimer, Puglisi on Litt trainee, sans blinkers for this diploma try. Value Play -- ON AND ON

2nd Race -- LATRONICA -- Hustling Pedroza on main man Carava trainee, draws good post for sprint maiden/claimer, Latronica a winna-ca here? RAINBOW ACORN -- Morning line favorite draws middle post here, Espinoza on Baffert trainee for owner McIngvale, cracks graduation nut? Value Play -- SHE'S SOME FOX

3rd Race -- TAMARACK BAY -- Draws good rail post for mile outing, Solis scheduled to ride Dutton trainee, should get catbird trip here. FAIR BIANCA -- Flores atop Gonzalez trainee for owners McCaffery & Toffan, should be short price in allowance/claimer, needs to overcome outside post. Value Play -- RHIANA

4th Race -- DIVINE SPIRIT -- Draws good box for sprint claimer, Flores sits Baffert trainee for owner Dizney, should have enough Spirit for a Divine victory. BLUESTHESTANDARD -- Gelding is as game as they come, Pincay aboard Glatt trainee, expect another solid try here. Value Play -- RELUCTANT HERO

5th Race -- SUMITAS -- Scratched out of Sunday stakes for this spot, part of Tanaka-owned coupled entry with LORD JIM, P. Val/Frankel here, Smith/Gaines there. LUGNY -- French-bred draws good middle post in full field of allowance runners at turf mile, Flores on Canani trainee, makes late impact. Value Play -- SO URGENT

6th Race -- PENNYSENYEN -- Hustling Pedroza now on Carava trainee, fits this bottom-level claimer, should enjoy the 7-panel distance. PRIME CANDIDATE -- Draws outside box for Cal-bred outing, P. Val atop owner Knapp trainee, a factor throughout. Value Play -- KING'S CROSS

7th Race -- THUNDER'S ECHO -- Smith scales young Dollace trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post at sprint distance, sounds like a winner here. HIMALAYAN -- Training at Hollypark, Nakatani aboard Marshall trainee, expect short price in this allowance/claimer. Value Play -- RMISVESTA

8th Race -- ROLLY POLLY -- Irish-bred draws good outside post for downhill Grade III, P. Val on Frankel trainee, true 'horse-for-course' angle here.

LIL SISTER STICH -- Training at Hollypark, Pincay atop O'Neill trainee, another who is productive down the hill here. Value Play -- ADORATION

9th Race -- JINK WILLIAMS -- Desormeaux aboard Hess trainee, tough draw from outer post in short dash nightcap, chance to graduate tells tale in first furlong. SHARK FIN SOUP -- Draws well in full finale, P. Val atop Monteleone trainee for Las Vegan owners Lanni & Schiappa, Shark Soup to steak and lobster? Value Play -- ALWAYS FIGHTING