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

Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2002 | 8:55 a.m.

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

Thursday's card

1st Race -- ARMS CONTROL -- P. Val on Gaines trainee, needs crafty trip from outer post for turf mile opener, field Control by Arms yields diploma. MAGNETIC -- Draws good box for Cal-bred maiden outing, Almeida aboard McAnally trainee, candidate for graduation on lawn. Value Play -- EXY

2nd Race -- SURPRISINGLY -- Draws good rail post for Cal-bred route, Flores on Canani trainee for owners Wygod, solid contender from solid connections. MIDNITE MEETING -- Solis scales Marlow trainee, draws good spot in allowance/claimer, daylight Meeting in winners circle? Value Play -- FRANKIE EYELASHES

3rd Race -- NORTHERN COLONY -- Hustling Pedroza on main man Carava trainee, draws good outside post for sprint maiden/claimer, southern graduation here? THE WINE KING -- Nakatani atop young Dollace trainee, draws decent spot for diploma try, adds blinkers for this outing. Value Play -- RAISE EXPECTATIONS

4th Race -- GASLAMP GIRL -- Draws good rail post for mile claimer, Nakatani on Abrams trainee, needs uncontested lead for best chance. LUCKY SPIRIT -- Draws middle box on full field here, hustling Espinoza on Mitchell trainee, should be competitive at this level. Value Play -- PASSIONATE CAPER

5th Race -- BRING HOME THEGOLD -- Draws good rail post for allowance/claiming mile, Nakatani now on Shirreffs trainee, should get catbird trip here. DIG FOR IT -- Solis scales Headley trainee for local co-owners Molaskys, one-of-two in the field for a six-figure tag, good spot for action. Value Play -- TRULY A JUDGE

6th Race -- FAB DO -- Training at Hollypark, Pedroza stays on Jory trainee, been knocking on maiden/claiming diploma door. RARE STONE -- Hustling Espinoza aboard Sadler trainee, draws good box for sprint outing, not so Rare for Stone to graduate. Value Play -- GENERAL RAY

7th Race -- PEACE RULES -- Part of Gann-owned & Frankel-trained coupled entry with BIS REPETITAS, P. Val here, Pincay there, dangerous double threat. MAN AMONG MEN -- Promising colt draws good inner post for turf mile feature, Solis scales young Mandella trainee, might just live up to namesake again. Value Play -- GOHALO

8th Race -- WHY -- Solis atop Headley trainee, needs prompt start from inner post in sprint nightcap, Why for diploma that's Why. OUR EMERALD -- Hustling Pedroza on Carava trainee for maiden/claimer finale, draws good box, adds blinkers for this graduation try. Value Play -- GAMBLIN MIMI