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

Thursday, April 17, 2003 | 9:10 a.m.

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

Friday's card

1st Race -- PERFECT MOON -- Valenzuela atop Stute trainee for owners Stute & Hat Ranch, draws inner box for straight opening dash, Perfect to Moon foes? FIVE WILD CATS -- Draws good box for 2-fulong drag race, Nuesch aboard co-owner Dominguez trainee, Cats Wild enough to hang Five on field? Value Play -- SMOKIN PURSUIT

2nd Race -- CANTALOUPE -- Draws good post for mile claimer, Valenzuela atop Glatt trainee, no mellon here. DANCE FOR FUN -- Pedroza on Carava trainee, draws good inner post for the trip, Dance could win For Fun here. Value Play -- LUNAR SURPRISE

3rd Race -- WHO LOVES ALEYNA -- Solis scales co-owner Headley trainee, draws good middle box in s five-horse field, backers Love Aleyna if she wins. GONE EXCLUSIVE -- Stevens astride Vienna trainee for TV mogul owner Milch, fits allowance sprint well, may be Gone Exclusive to foes here. Value Play -- TRACKOFTHECAT

4th Race -- BOSTON SHUTTLE -- Pedroza on Mitchell trainee, draws good post for claiming outing, Boston to Shuttle off to winners circle? WICKED FAST -- Smith sits Knapp trainee, needs to be Fast from blocks with inner post at sprint distance, Wicked win in offering? Value Play -- DISCERNMENT

5th Race -- MAITA -- French bred training at Hollypark, Solis scales Frankel trainee, must overcome outer post in turf mile outing. RIVER BRIDGE -- Another French bred that draws outside box here, Espinoza atop Vienna trainee for owner Red Baron's Barn, needs crafty trip. Value Play -- LAND TAX

6th Race -- MILL GRIEF -- Draws good middle post in full field of maiden/claimers at dash distance, Solis scales Headley trainee, productive connections. SMOKIN PIRATE -- Training at Hollypark, Smith aboard O'Neill trainee, needs prompt start from outside post here. Value Play -- SOUTH CHRISTIAN

7th Race -- AFFIRM CAT -- Valenzuela on this Spawr trainee, draws good post for full field at sprint distance, fits this level claimer. SMOKIN' SIX -- Draws alongside top pick, hustling Pedroza on main man Carava trainee, may be Smokin' at 6 1/2 furlongs here. Value Play -- RIGHT ANGLE

8th Race -- PUERTO BANUS -- Draws good inner post for full field at turf mile, Stevens scales Baffert trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, beware. DENIED -- Draws alongside top pick, Espinoza aboard Mullins trainee, hot trainer with hustling rider makes contender here. Value Play -- ACADEMY SPY

9th Race -- BULL HEADED HARRY -- Draws good middle post for full field of maiden/claimers at sprint distance, Espinoza on co-owner Hess trainee, diploma? JUBILATION -- New invader Lopez atop Dutton trainee, needs prompt start from outer post draw in nightcap dash, Jubilation for backers if graduates here. Value Play -- MR. FROST