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

Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002 | 9:18 a.m.

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

Friday's card

1st Race -- CONNED AGAIN -- Smith astride Headley trainee, draws good post for sprint opener, graduation here or Conned Again? EASY GAME -- Draws well for Cal-bred maiden outing, P. Val on Zucker trainee, if he lives up to namesake then it should be Easy diploma for the Game. Value Play -- BETTOR BY FARR

2nd Race -- DAVENE -- Pincay aboard Spawr trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post at sprint distance, Davene dash to winners circle here? GLITTERINGMISCHIEF -- Hustling Pedroza aboard main man Carava trainee, draws good post for bottom claimer, should be a factor throughout. Value Play -- KNIGHT WRITER

3rd Race -- ALL THE GEARS -- Espinoza atop Shirreffs trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, fits well and likes this course, hits All The Gears here. BAYOU THE MOON -- Smith on Mandella trainee, must overcome outside post in turf mile allowance/claimer, The Moon to the field ok Bayou? Value Play -- DUKE OF GREEN

4th Race -- SWEET MARY JO -- P. Val astride Lukas trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in Cal-bred sprint, should be in the mix throughout. WHY -- Draws outside box for maiden/claimer, Smith scales Headley trainee, diploma chance--Why not? Value Play -- TOURING THE WORLD

5th Race -- SUNSET SERENADE -- Pincay aboard Gallagher trainee, draws decent slot for turf mile, good spot for action. MIDNITE MEETING -- Draws alongside top pick in allowance outing, Flores aboard Marlow trainee, backers hope afternoon Meeting in winners circle. Value Play -- GINGER ROO

6th Race -- GRAVITATE -- Hustling Espinoza on Baffert trainee for owner Padua Stable, needs crafty trip from inner post at sprint distance, Gravitate graduation? ENCINO UMP -- Draws good middle post in full field of maiden/claimers, Nakatani on Marquez trainee for owners Anson, solid cagey connections. Value Play -- COUNCIL HOUSE

7th Race -- MARTINBLESTME -- Hustling Espinoza on Baffert trainee, draws good spot for sprint Cal-bred stakes, solid connections here. OBERWALD -- Draws good middle box, Stevens scales Harrington trainee, top to bottom tough heat. Value Play -- UNFURL THE FLAG

8th Race -- WILLY'S JEWELS -- Draws good middle post in Cal-bred sprint finale, Espinoza on co-owner Dutton trainee, graduation Jewels for Willy's backers. MOUNTAIN LARK -- Baze aboard O'Neill trainee, draws good box for maiden/claimer, adds blinkers for this. Value Play -- OUR EMERALD