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

Thursday, Oct. 31, 2002 | 9:05 a.m.

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

Friday's card

1st Race -- LAST TANGO -- Irish-bred draws good inside post for full field in turf mile opener, Pincay aboard Gallagher trainee, first Tango in the first. RHIANA -- Draws inner spot as well, Solis scales Sadler trainee for owners Moss, should get good trip in green claimer. Value Play -- EXCITING GIRL

2nd Race -- SHADOW HAWK -- Draws good outside post for sprint outing, hustling Espinoza on one of two Baffert-trained entries, solid connetions. CHOGORI -- Draws middle box, Smith scales Gonzalez trainee for owners McCaffery & Toffan, solid connections here, too. Value Play -- MARS BALLET

3rd Race -- HARRY JAKE -- British-bred draws middle box for downhill run, Desormeaux on Mitchell trainee, barn set to start heating up. SNOOPY CAT -- Nakatani sits Carava trainee, needs crafty trip from inside post down the hill, Cat quick in claimer? Value Play -- EL NUKI

4th Race -- COUNCIL HOUSE -- Draws good inner post in full field for the trip, Solis scales Gonzalez trainee for owners McCaffery & Toffan, House diploma? MAX RAJ -- Pincay aboard Garcia trainee, draws good middle slot for maiden/caliming route, adds blinkers for this. Value Play -- SCANNO

5th Race -- GOLDEN PENNY -- Nakatani's first call for trainer Lewis for owners Bob & Beverly Lewis, draws middle post in full field going down the hill, Penny for a win? IRRESISTIBLE -- Draws alongside top pick for maiden run, Solis astride Sahadi trainee, graduation may be simply Irresistible here. Value Play -- ALWAYS PLEASING

6th Race -- REHABILITATED -- Pincay aboard Spawr trainee, draws good spot for 7-panel claimer, dangerous duo here. MAMONE -- Draws just inside top pick, P. Val on owner Glatt trainee, fits this spot well. Value Play -- EL FUMAR

7th Race -- EURIBOR -- Irish-bred training at Hollypark, draws good rail post for turf mile feature, Smith scales Drysdale trainee. MOTTO -- Hustling Espinoza atop Mandella trainee for owners Moss, solid contender on grass, should be right there at the payoff. Value Play -- MARINE

8th RAce -- TWO THIRTY SEVEN -- Draws good middle post for full field of maiden/claimers at sprint distance, Solis on co-owner Dutton trainee, tough pair. STOTZ -- Pincay aboard co-owner Hess trainee, draws good box for Cal-bred finale, Stotz to steal diploma here? Value Play -- SEVENTY SIXER