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

Friday, Oct. 18, 2002 | 9:05 a.m.

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

Saturday's card

1st Race -- TAKEONEFORTHETEAM -- Desormeaux atop a Hess-trained horse, draws good spot for sprint opener, team diploma forthcoming. BLUE TIGER -- The other Hess trainee gets Espinoza up, draws alongside stablemate for maiden/claimer, all Hess quinella? Value Play -- SIFFOUNAS

2nd Race -- ILE DE FRANCE -- Draws good box for mile allowance outing, Solis scales Mandella trainee, filly fits this heat well. RENAISSANCE WOMAN -- Flores aboard Canani trainee for owners Wygod, needs crafty ride here, Woman may come a long way to winners circle. Value Play -- ISSAQUEENA

3rd Race -- GODS EAR -- Pincay takes this Abrams trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from inner post for short dash, from Gods Ear to winners circle? SWEET MARY JO -- P. Val on Lukas trainee, also needs to be quick from the blocks from rail post, Sweet maiden/claimer diploma for Mary Jo? Value Play -- JUSTA CLASSY LADY

4th Race -- DEVINE WIND -- P. Val aboard young Canani trainee for owner Englander, should sit a catbird trip here, solid connections. WILLIAMS NEWS -- Draws good inner post for turf route allowance, Solis scales Sahadi trainee, sans blinkers for this outing. Value Play -- DARK MOONDANCER

5th Race -- GOLD SCAMMER -- Flores aboard Ellis trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post for sprint claimer, forward trip to victory. MISS GUTS -- Draws alongside top pick, Pincay takes this Sadler trainee, appropriately named filly is a gamer. Value Play -- CINNFUL BRIDE

6th Race -- PROBLEM SOLVER -- P. Val scales one of two Frankel-trained horses, draws well for downhill maiden outing, no Problem for diploma Solver here. SEEKING THE CAT -- Solis atop Mandella trainee, draws good box for trip, The Cat is Seeking the winners circle here. Value Play -- VALUE PLAY

7th Race -- SEVENS WILD -- Desormeaux astride Hess trainee, draws inner post, needs crafty run to take starter allowance sprint. A LIL EXCESS -- Solis aboard O'Neill trainee, draws good outside post for distance, well bred mare should be a factor throughout. Value Play -- DARLIN BARBIE

8th Race -- RED APACHE -- Training at Hollypark, Flores sits Chapman trainee, should be solid contender in wide open affair. SPENSIVE -- Smith atop one-of-two Baffert-trained 'hidden entry', connections are always dangerous. Value Play -- KNIGHTSBRIDGE ROAD

9th Race -- DIAMOND HOPE -- Solis scales one-of-two Mandella-trained 'hidden entry', draws good outer box for downhill trip, sans blinkers for this. MY CAPTAIN -- Flores aboard the 'other' Mandella trainee, needs crafty trip from inner post in allowance outing, might be an all Mandella quinella. Value Play -- FROM A TO Z

10th Race -- DREAM BOLDLY -- Draws good post for short nightcap dash, hustling Espinoza aboard Moger, Jr., trainee, Dream here is maiden/claimer diploma. PRINCESS NICOLETTE -- Pincay atop Abrams trainee, draws alongside top pick for Cal-bred finale, Princess becomes graduation queen here? Value Play -- LITTLE MIS GENERAL