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

Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002 | 8:29 a.m.

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

Friday's card

1st Race -- ROBERT'S TRIBUTE -- Valdivia aboard Marquez trainee for owners Anson, draws good post for mile turf opener, productive potent team. DECIMATE -- Draws good rail box, Pincay aboard Machowsky trainee, set for a good trip in Cal-bred maiden outing. Value Play -- EASY GAME

2nd Race -- STARSHIP SARATOGA -- P. Val on one of two Cerin-trained horses, should be forawardly placed in this mile outing, fits this claimer. RUNAWAYFUN -- Draws good inner post for the distance, Krigger atop the other Cerin trainee, could be an all-Cerin quinella. Value Play -- QUE FACIL CORAZON

3rd Race -- HATAAB -- Training at Hollypark, Smith astride Drysdale trainee for owner Shadwell Farm, sans blinkers for this. VENATOR -- French-bred draws outside post in turf allowance/claimer, Flores aboard Ellis trainee, fits this heat well. Value Play -- TROMPOLINO

4th Race -- SMOKEN PASS YOU -- Flores atop Jackson trainee, draws good post for short sprint maiden/claimer, only needs to live up to namesake. DA NINE -- Gomez sits Duncan trainee, draws alongside top pick in Cal-bred outing, if performance rates a Nine then Da diploma forthcoming. Value Play -- GHOST MEMO

5th Race -- EXCAPER -- Solid debut maiden-breaker in last, Berrio again on Avila trainee, this one might be something special. CHARMER BARON -- Draws good middle post for full field of starter allowance sprinters, Pincay aboard Warren trainee. Value Play -- UNFURL THE FLAG

6th Race -- MISS CONTINENTAL -- Espinoza atop Mitchell trainee, draws good post for sprint claimer, good spot for action. DAVENE -- Pincay astride Spawr trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post, jockey-trainer combo always dangerous. Value Play -- THE NEWS' WEST

7th Race -- NICKY'S INTUITION -- Flores aboard Ellis trainee for owner Hughes, should like downhill run here, draws good spot in allowance/claimer. FUN HOUSE -- Draws alongside top pick, Solis scales McAnally trainee for Las Vegan owner VHW Stables, fits this feature heat. Value Play -- SLEW CITY LIZ

8th Race -- EXSEXY COP -- Draws good middle post for full field in finale sprint, Flores atop Baffert trainee, respect connections for graduation try. LATRONICA -- P. Val aboard Dolan trainee, draws alongside top pick for Cal-bred maiden/claimer, nightcap cap and gown here? Value Play -- SUMMER LIGHTNING