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

Wednesday, April 2, 2003 | 9 a.m.

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

Thursday's card

1st Race -- ANY QUESTIONS -- Baze aboard Sadler trainee, draws inner post for straight 2-furlong run, diploma at hand--Any Questions? MAGICAL DUST -- Draws outer box for maiden dash, new arrival Johnson atop co-owner Dutton trainee, connection's forte. Value Play -- IZA BIG STAR

2nd Race -- SWEET OLYMPIO -- Draws good box for bottom-level claimer, Johnson on Carava trainee, adds blinkers for this. TAFFY PULL -- Smith scales Sise trainee, draws alongside top pick for sprint outing, Taffy set to Pull out victory? Value Play -- IRISH SLEW

3rd Race -- BINGO CARD -- Smith on Spawr trainee, draws well for sprint claimer, ready to call Bingo! LEBONTEMPSROULET -- Scratched from downhill engagement recently, Solis sits co-owner Delima trainee, Le-bon-temp-victory? Value Play -- EXPRESSIONIST

4th Race -- LUGU LAKE -- Smith scales Spawr trainee, draws middle box for Cal-bred sprint, Lugu beaches foes here? THATSWHATSHESAID -- Pedroza aboard Monteleone trainee, draws well for claimer, victory--Thats-what-she-said. Value Play -- CHABUKA

5th Race -- IMA MILE HIGH GUY -- Caught in pace meltdown in last, P. Val now on Abrams trainee, draws good rail post for mile-high-guy-win? KEDINGTON -- Training at Hollypark, Baze aboard co-owner O'Neill trainee, well placed in mile claimer. Value Play -- SUAVE METEORITE

6th Race -- CD'S BEST YET -- Valenzuela on Monteleone trainee, draws outside box for short maiden/claiming dash, Best Yet good enough to get CD'S diploma? MEMOGRAM -- Smith scales Spawr trainee, draws good post for trip, bred to win early. Value Play -- LADY GENERAL

7th Race -- ISLANDER -- Espinoza aboard West trainee, draws good outer box for downhill run, runner likes the down-the-hill trip. NATIVE DESERT -- Hard knocking Cal-bred draws outside post, one of a trio in for a tag, should be rolling in allowace/claimer. Value Play -- DEVIL'S HORN

8th Race -- BELLE OF PORTUGAL -- Draws good post for short nightcap dash, Flores aboard Hendricks trainee for owners Wygod, Belle Of graduation? MONTANA BANANA -- Training at Hollywood Park, Baze aboard O'Neill trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip for maiden/claimer diploma. Value Play -- MIGHTY DEELITE