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

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002 | 9:03 a.m.

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

Thursday's card

1st Race -- REQUESTO -- Smith astride Baffert trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, needs crafty trip from rail post at sprint opener, tough team. AFFIRM CAT -- Draws good box for claimer, Pincay aboard Spawr trainee, potent jockey-trainer combo. Value Play -- RED VINTAGE

2nd Race -- ADALGISA -- Nakatani on Canani trainee, draws good post for turf mile, pick in tough heat. LA VITA BELLA -- Irish-bred draws alongside top pick in allowance/claimer, Desormeaux atop Frankel trainee, sans blinkers for this. Value Play -- RHIANA

3rd Race -- DAILY SPORT -- Draws outside post for short claiming dash, Baze aboard Puhich trainee, fits this spot well. SIWARD -- Desormeaux scales Goodin trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post, could trip out. Value Play -- EXPOCITO

4th Race -- ITS ALWAYS BUSY -- Draws good box for full field of maiden/claimers at sprint distance, Pomona king Pedroza atop Carava trainee, productive tandem. RAISE EXPECTATIONS -- Desormeaux sits Lewis trainee for owner Harris Farms, Inc., draws good post, should be a diploma factor in this. Value Play -- MISSILEER

5th Race -- GASLAMP GIRL -- Nakatani on Abrams trainee, draws good middle post for mile claimer, candidate for gate-to-wire tally. LUXURY JEWELS -- Draws alongside top pick, hustling Espinoza on Sadler trainee, could be the gem in this. Value Play -- LUCKY SPIRIT

6th Race -- CALIFORNIA GOAL -- Desormeaux aboard Dutton trainee for California Throughbreds I, LLC, draws good post for turf mile, Goal is for California victory. KEDINGTON -- Draws alongside top pick in Cal-bred allowance, Baze aboard Gonzalez trainee for owners McCaffery & Toffan, respect connections. Value Play -- SLEWPING

7th Race -- SERVALINE -- Espinoza aboard one of two Baffert horses, draws good box for 7-panel stakes, hails from solid stable. SMALL TOWN GIRL -- The other Baffert trainee gets Smith in ths irons, needs crafty trip from inner post, Baffert quinella would be no surprise. Value Play -- LAST KISS

8th Race -- ARMS CONTROL -- Draws good post for Cal-bred sprint nightcap, Smith atop Gaines, Arms might Control graduation trip. GENUINE PERFORMER -- Stevens scales Headley trainee, draws good box for maiden finale, Genuine chance for diploma if decent Performer. Value Play -- LATRONICA