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

Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2002 | 8:35 a.m.

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

Wednesday's card

1st Race -- ALERT -- Draws good rail post for mile opener, Smith aboard Baffert trainee for owner Padua Stable, set to get graduation trip. POHAVE -- P. Val on Inda trainee for owners Jones, draws good box for maiden outing, Po-should-have solid say on diploma handout here. Value Play -- ROCK THE STONE

2nd Race -- MECANICO -- Draws good spot for this level claimer, P. Val on one of two Bean-trained entries, a factor throughout in this. PROSPECTING GUY -- Draws alongside top pick for route outing, hustling Espinoza on the other Bean horse, Ba-da-Bean-Bean here? Value Play -- WILEY GREY

3rd Race -- A PIZZA FOR NICK -- Draws good outside box for sprint, P. Val atop Spawr trainee for owners Craig, a little pepperoni and Nick delivers to winners circle. FRINGE COMMENT -- Solis scales Dominguez trainee, competitively spotted at this claiming level, Comment may be 'score!' here. Value Play -- GIVE AWAY JOE

4th Race -- I'M WILLING -- Hustling Espinoza aboard Sadler trainee, draws good post for sprint maiden/claimer, need only live up to namesake for diploma. BRITEMAN -- Flores astride Gallagher trainee, adds blinkers for this outing, Man may shine Brite in graduation here. Value Play -- EBBETS

5th Race -- POOL MUSIC -- Draws good inner post for full field at mile, Valdivia aboard Marquez trainee for owners Anson, dangerous team here. MORNING WINE -- Training at Hollypark, draws alongside top pick for claimer, Puglisi/Aguirre team also potent pair. Value Play -- VINO ROSSI

6th Race -- A SHORTT TOUR -- Nakatani atop Cerin trainee, draws inner post for mile turf outing, might take A Shortt Tour of turf for victory. ANNAGRETA -- Draws rail box in full field of maidens, Valdivia on Cecil trainee, adds blinkers for this outing. Value Play -- ON AND ON

7th Race -- J.T.'S SONG -- P. Val on Mitchell trainee, needs crafty trip from outer post in Cal-bred route, hard knocking runner in hard knocking race. GOLDEN BONUS -- Pincay scales this Spawr trainee, draws good middle post for allowance/claimer, hard knocking team in hard knocking race. Value Play -- KEDINGTON

8th Race -- CANDITA -- Baze aboard Sise trainee, draws good post for 7-panel nightcap, adds blinkers for this. CASTLEBRIGHT -- Flores atop Levine trainee, must overcome rail post at this trip, rider has been hot of late. Value Play -- FIRST CLASS CODE