Ralph Siraco’s Santa Anita selections

Thursday, March 14, 2002 | 10:31 a.m.

Friday's card

1st Race -- The Heebster -- Desormeaux aboard Hess trainee, draws outer post in small field of mile opener, jockey-trainer team are always dangerous. Evening Meeting -- Flores atop Baffert trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, draws good spot in Cal--bred allowance, another dangerous jockey-trainer duo. Value Play -- Cantaloupe

2nd Race -- Bettor Royalty -- Desormeaux astride Carava trainee, draws good box for sprint claimer, Royalty may be the better Bettor here. Mighty Fine Mike -- Baze aboard Baffert trainee for owners Friendly, draws alongside top pick, Mike might be the Mighty Fine play here. Value Play -- B Swift

3rd Race -- Honesty Pays -- Hustling Espinoza on Sadler trainee, needs crafty trip from outer post in turf mile outing, good chance to Pay Honestly. Good Meeting -- Draws good inner post for Cal-bred allowance, Solis scales Hendricks trainee, Good could be Meeting in winners circle. Value Play -- Ride And Shine

4th Race -- Our Man Red -- Draws good box for mile outing, Pincay astride Machowsky trainee, Red may be Our Man for backers. Patio Boy -- Desormeaux on Mitchell trainee, competitive at this low-level claimer, going in good form right now. Value Play -- Offensive Play

5th Race -- Langoureuse -- Training at Hollypark, Desormeaux aboard Frankel trainee, well spotted by solid conditioner for downhill run. Woodman's Prospect -- Draws good spot, Solis scales Mandella trainee, solid contender for this group and trip. Value Play -- Skywriting

6th Race -- Stage Knight -- Pincay aboard Spawr trainee, draws good outside post for sprint claimer, jockey-trainer pair always potent. Con Dot Dixie -- Draws good middle post for trip, Solis atop one of two Mullins-trained entries, Con Dot victory here? Value Play -- Mansilver

7th Race -- Bella Bella Bella -- Draws good spot in turf mile stakes, McCarron aboard Sahadi trainee for owners Team Valor, LLC, respect connections here. Simone's Show -- Hails from solid connections with Nakatani aboard Bray trainee, draws good post for the route, a factor to take the whole Show. Value Play -- Nunatall

8th Race -- Stage Number -- Draws good post in 7-panel nightcap, hustling Rollins on Hofmans trainee, Number may be up for Stage diploma. Pickled Bay -- Pincay sits Mitchell trainee here, draws just outside top pick in Cal-bred maiden-claimer, Bay may have graduation Pickled in this. Value Play -- Smashover