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

Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2002 | 8:51 a.m.

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

Thursday's card

1st Race -- ROYAL FOR SURE -- Flores sits atop Canani trainee, draws good post for Cal-bred sprint opener, Royal run produces victory For Sure. FLOM X S -- Draws inner post for claimer, Gomez aboard Duncan trainee, could trip out in this spot. Value Play -- ELLENHIGHWATER

2nd Race -- TWINING COLORS -- Flores scales Jackson trainee, draws good box for sprint distance, set to wave winning Colors here. LETHAL LOVER -- Draws outer post for maiden/claimer, Solis atop Sise trainee, Lover may be Lethal graduate. Value Play -- CULLEY

3rd Race -- L'EMERAUDE -- P. Val on one of two Frankel-trained entries draws good inner box for turf mile, set to trip out here. LIVE YOUR DREAMS -- Smith scales Drysdale trainee for owner Maktoum Al Maktoum, needs crafty trip in this spot, hails from solid barn. Value Play -- HONESTLY DARLING

4th Race -- BLUE SETI -- Draws good rail post for mile maiden/claimer, Valdivia on Hendricks trainee, catbird trip could produce diploma here. LAKE RAY -- Solis scales Ward trainee, draws good post for trip, another that has chance for graduation trip in this. Value Play -- BLUSHING CIEL

5th Race -- A REEL TIZZY -- Draws good outside box in six-horse field sprint, hustling Espinoza on Moger, Jr., trainee, respect this combo. IZA BEAUTY -- Draws alongside top pick for starter allowance, P. Val astride Cenicola trainee, could put top pick Iza Tizzy. Value Play -- PASSIONFORANNA

6th Race -- CLASSIC RUN -- Solis scales co-owner Dutton trainee, draws good middle post for full field in claiming sprint, Classic Run puts in winners circle. THE BUGGY WHIP -- Draws alongside top pick, Pincay aboard Spawr trainee, jockey-trainer combo always a factor in these spots. Value Play -- MR. POWERFUL

7th Race -- PAXTECUM -- Failed to fire in Fairplex stakes in last, Flores stays aboard Machowsky trainee, should love this downhill run. SPLENDID TIMES -- Set pace in Fairplex stakes and just beaten in last, Nakatani on Jackson trainee, another that should take to trip. Value Play -- SLEW OF THE NIGHT

8th Race -- DREAM DAY -- Hustling Espinoza aboard Baffert trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, draws well for mile finale, graduation Dream for Day? MISS HENNESSY -- P. Val on Marlow trainee, draws good box for maiden/claimer, should be forwardly placed for diploma run. Value Play -- CRAFTY 'N SMOOTH