Ralph Siraco’s Santa Anita selections

Friday, Jan. 18, 2002 | 9:40 a.m.

Saturday's card

1st Race -- Manly Valentine -- Training at Hollypark, draws good rail post for mile opener, trainer O'Neill makes significant rider change to Rollins here. Cat Blade -- Brazilian-bred fits claiming level here, Blanc on one of two Hines-trained entries, needs crafty trip. Value Play -- Inwood

2nd Race -- Arbiter -- Draws good post for full field of maiden-claimers going route distance, Solis atop Lewis trainee, diploma decision pending. Good Time Benji -- Irish-bred training at Hollypark, Smith astride Lynch trainee, Benji could provide Good Time for backers with victory. Value Play -- Para Usted

3rd Race -- The Morris Monroe -- Part of JPF Investments LLC-owned and Aguirre-trained coupled entry with Itsallintheheart, Pedroza here, Solis there, double threat. Caliban -- McCarron now on Assinesi trainee, needs crafty trip from inner post at sprint distance, a factor throughout. Value Play -- Big Team Spirit

4th Race -- Revenescent -- Baze returns on Frankel trainee, broke maiden on this downhill run with this rider, deja vu time. Pissaro -- British-bred draws good box here, Smith on Sahadi trainee, good spot for action. Value Play -- Look Of Eagles

5th Race -- Romantic Won -- Gomez sits Glatt trainee, draws extreme outside post for the claiming sprint, should get clean shot at selected trip. Jeremy's Quest -- Solis on Canani trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from inner post, Jeremy's Quest is winning trip. Value Play -- Prospective Angel

6th Race -- Pickled Bay -- McCarron on Gonzalez trainee for owners McCaffery & Toffan, draws good spot for clear sailing, respect connections. First Insight -- Draws good box in Cal-Bred maiden sprint, Pincay aboard Hendricks trainee, Insight to get First run at diploma? Value Play -- Black Bart

7th Race -- Literal Prowler -- Smith aboard Mitchell trainee here, needs crafty ride from post draw in full field at turf mile distance, pick in tough heat. Opine -- Draws difficult outside box again, McCarron again on Sahadi trainee, may win again. Value Play -- Army Of One

8th Race -- Siphonic -- Hofmans trainee cotinues to improve with racing, Bailey stays with Derby prospect, need only be ready to roll in Grade II stakes. National Park -- British-bred draws rail post for route feature, Nakatani on Hess trainee, has chance for upset if top one doesn't fire. Value Play -- Cottonwood Cowboy

9th Race -- Sunset Rock -- Pincay atop Gallagher trainee, needs a crafty trip from inner post in full field going downhill here, adds blinkers to package for this. Somethingdangerous -- McCarron on Ellis horse for owner Hughes, draws good box for trip, might just be Some-thing-dangerous. Value Play -- Tiptronic