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

Friday, Oct. 4, 2002 | 9:06 a.m.

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

Saturday's card

1st Race -- AMERICAN SYSTEM -- Nakatani takes Inda trainee for owners Jones, draws good box for sprint opener, all System(s) a red, white and blue go. DAUPHIN -- Smith scales co-owner Headley trainee, draws alongside top pick for allowance/claimer, should be a factor throughout here. Value Play -- GOLDEN HARE

2nd Race -- KOLINOR -- Draws good box for downhill run, Gomez sits Harrington trainee, should get a good trip in this. CHAMP'S STAR -- Training at Hollypark, Stevens scales owner Dutton trainee, likes the downhill trip. Value Play -- MARTEL

3rd Race -- SWEPT OVERBOARD -- Tuning up for Breeders' Cup Sprint here, Nakatani takes over on Dollace trainee, will be rolling late. EXPICIT -- Training at Hollypark and is also BC eligible, trainer Jory imports jockey Meche for the trip, team hopeful for Chicago booking. Value Play -- CRAFTY C.T.

4th Race -- DINNERATHEPALMS -- Draws good box for full field of route claimers, P. Val atop Eurton trainee, good spot for action. UNRELENTING GRIT -- Smith astride Sherman trainee, needs crafty trip from outer post, factor if he lives up to namesake. Value Play -- REVELLING

5th Race -- LISTEN INDY -- Son of AP Indy should enjoy the route distance and is coming into his own, Solis back aboard Mandella trainee, must overcome post draw. KAFWAIN -- Espinoza stays on this Baffert-trained horse for stakes outing, solid contender here, victory punches Breeders' Cup ticket. Value Play -- OBERWALD

6th Race -- CONGAREE -- Popular Baffert trainee gets his chance on the green, bred to love lawn, draws good rail post for turf mile stakes, Smith and all. D'WILDCAT -- Should be part of first flight throughout, Nakatani takes over on Hess trainee, could be in the right spot at crunch time. Value Play -- NIGHT PATROL

7th Race -- WATCHING YOU -- Stevens scales Stute trainee for owner Hughes, draws good middle box in full field of maiden sprinters, we'll be Watching her. HEART THAT MATTERS -- Gomez along on Hofmans trainee, draws good post for trip, maybe all That Matters to graduate is Heart. Value Play -- DEVIOUS IMPACT

8th Race -- GOLDEN APPLES -- Some of this Irish-bred's best races are over this course, P. Val fits Cecil filly well for owner Tanaka, must bring 'A' game here. BANKS HILL -- Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf champ changed plans from a scratch in New York last week for this firm outing, Nakatani gets the call for trainer Clement, Grade I tune-up for BC defense. Value Play -- NOCHES DE ROSA

9th Race -- ALERT -- Draws good post in full field of maiden sprinters, Smith atop one-of-two Baffert-trained 'hidden entry', adds blinkers for this graduation try. ALBERT G -- Nakatani atop Drysdale trainee, draws good box for the trip, Alert may be an Albert G-raduation here. Value Play -- WHEATER

10th Race -- SAUCY CAT -- Draws good inner post for turf mile nightcap, Pincay's first call on Mandella trainee, should get the Saucy Cat-bird trip here. BONAIR LAKE -- Draws good spot in finale, P. Val on Sadler trainee, dream trip for Lake beaches foes. Value Play -- TORSIONNAIRE