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

Thursday, Jan. 2, 2003 | 9:04 a.m.

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

Friday's card

1st Race -- CHARMELEON -- Draws good outside post for sprint opener, Desormeaux aboard Hess trainee, jockey-trainer combo dangerous team. SCOOP OF ICE -- Hard knocking gelding is competitive at this claiming level, draw well, Puglisi scheduled to ride Mullins trainee for owner Englander.

Value Play -- C D CRUZER

2nd Race -- GOLDEN BAND -- Espinoza on Baffert trainee, draws good box for route outing, should get a good trip in this spot. MIDNITE MEETING -- Solis scales Marlow trainee, draws alongside top pick for allowance/claimer, daylight Meeting in winners circle? Value Play -- SMART LACY

3rd Race -- BIGBOYSTOY -- Draws good middle post for sprint claimer, Espinoza on West trainee, Big-boys-toy may be big enough for foes here. TOAST OF THE YEAR -- Desormeaux aboard another Hess trainee for owners Sunset Stable, draws good box, may Toast new Year with victory. Value Play -- GOLD SUGAR

4th Race -- ONEEXCESSIVENITE -- Pincay aboard Baffert trainee for owner Pegram, draws good post for Cal-bred sprint, may get One-excessive-daylight-diploma. DON'T TELL WENDY -- Draws outside post for maiden/claimer, Baze aboard Becerra trainee, Don't Tell Wendy she can't graduate here. Value Play -- RUTH'S MATCH TRICK

5th Race -- NUIT DE SIAM -- French-bred draws good post for full field of claimers at turf mile distance, Nakatani on Vienna trainee for owner Red Baron's Barn, beware. CARAMEL QUEEN -- Draws just inside top pick, Flores lands here for trainer Gallagher, usually rides for top pick connections, hmmm... Value Play -- LAND TAX

6th Race -- BRIEF INFATUATION -- Solis scales Gonzalez trainee for owners McCaffery & Toffan, draws good box for maiden/claiming sprint, respect connections. SILVER COMMANDER -- Draws just inside top pick, Pincay aboard this Sadler trainee, adds blinkers to the package for this. Value Play -- MR JOE B

7th Race -- ABOVE PERFECTION -- Returns in Cal-bred stakes feature, Smith scales Smith trainee, need only live up to namesake to win this. KITTY ON THE TRACK -- Pincay aboard Sise trainee, draws good post for short stakes dash, a factor throughout. Value Play -- LIL BIT DEVILISH

8th Race -- FREQUENT MEETING -- Solis astride Dominguez trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, draws good box for Cal-bred sprint nightcap, cap and gown? MEMORIAL DAZE -- P. Val atop Abrams trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in maiden/claimer finale, diploma for Daze day? Value Play -- DANCES LIKE VELVET