Ralph Siraco’s Santa Anita selections

Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2002 | 11:18 a.m.

Thursday's card

1st Race -- Riband -- Espinoza on Kruljac trainee, draws good post for sprint opener, should be competitive at this level. Dreamin N Schemin -- Draws good box as well, Rollins scales Mullins trainee, capable combo for this claimer. Value Play -- Accell

2nd Race -- Princess Cha Cha -- McCarron on Sahadi trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from inside post at sprint distance, respect connections. Fort Lauderdale -- Pincay rides one of two Baffert horse alongside top pick, connections to respect as well. Value Play -- Svea Dahl

3rd Race -- The Station -- Pincay again on Eurton trainee, draws good spot for running style, well placed for a Station victory. Coil N Strike -- Draws rail post in claiming sprint, McCarron on Gallagher trainee, sans blinkers for this. Value Play -- American Pastime

4th Race -- Chiselling -- Training at Hollypark, Italian champ Demuro atop Frankel trainee, should get good trip in the turf mile. Mister G.Q. -- Also training at Hollypark, draws alongside top pick, Solis scales Bray trainee, good spot. Value Play -- Ship Ahoy

5th Race -- Good Meeting -- Draws good box for state-bred allowance route, McCarron atop Hendricks trainee, provides Good Meeting if it's in winners circle. Grand Appointment -- Draws just inside top pick, Solis scales Headley trainee, does Grand have Appointment in winners circle? Value Play -- J.T.'s Song

6th Race -- Mucho Borracho -- Desormeaux on Hess trainee, draws outside post in maiden-claiming sprint, productive duo here. Clay Time -- Draws good box as well, hustling Espinoza on Baffert trainee, no Clay feet may be Time for graduation. Value Play -- Odd Testamony

7th Race -- Riviera -- French-bred loves this downhill course, Solis takes this one of two Frankel-trained entries here, need only get good trip and be ready. Auction House -- Top pick stablemate is the other Frankel horse, Desormeaux scales here, could be Frankel quinella in feature. Value Play -- Malabar Gold

8th Race -- Cagey -- One of three in finale training at Hollypark, Pincay on Aguirre trainee, cagey-smart team for Cagey graduation. Illegible -- P. Val. on Stute trainee, draws good post, has been fading in recent attempts to break maiden, elligible to steal diploma some day. Value Play -- Sleeping Tiger