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

Friday, Jan. 3, 2003 | 8:46 a.m.

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

Saturday's card

1st Race -- GRAND APPOINTMENT -- Solis on Headley trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, draws good post for sprint opener, Appointment in winners circle? HURRICANE SMOKE -- Draws alongside top pick in Cal-bred allowance, Espinoza atop West trainee, where there's Smoke there's fire? Value Play -- SPEND SPEND SPEND

2nd Race -- KALOOKAN STAR -- Draws good outer post for Cal-bred sprint, Solis aboard co-owner Headley trainee, Kalookan may be the Star here. RAISE EXPECTATIONS -- Part of Harris Farms-owned coupled entry with LAKESIDE TRAIL, Desormeaux/Lewis here, Sorenson/Zucker there, 2-for-1 duo. Value Play -- BILLY C

3rd Race -- SHALINI -- Training at Hollypark, draws good inner post for turf mile stakes, Nakatani aboard young Dollace trainee. TOP OF OUR GAME -- Smith scales Gaines trainee for owner Harris Farms, fits this long turf trip well, all she needs to be is on the Top-Of-her-Game. Value Play -- ELAINE'S ANGEL

4th Race -- CHOGORI -- Draws good outer post for sprint maiden outing, Smith astride Gonzalez trainee for owners McCaffery & Toffan, adds blinkers for this. JUDGE OF CHARACTER -- Nakatani aboard young Mulhall trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, potent team, Character the Judge of graduation? Value Play -- SEQUOIAN

5th Race -- LABAMTA BABE -- Training at Hollypark, Espinoza takes over on Frankel trainee for owner Gann, change of scenery and rider may prove the trick. EASY GRADES -- Another runner who returns to track of best efforts, Desormeaux lands here for trainer West, it won't be that Easy for top Grades here. Value Play -- BONUS PAY DAY

6th Race -- MAJESTIC COMMANDER -- Part of Baffert-trained coupled entry with DURING, Espinoza here, Bailey there, double diploma threat here. BUCKLAND MANOR -- Draws good post for maiden sprint outing, Smith scales Gonzalez trainee for owner McCaffery & Toffan, runs in Manor of graduation? Value Play -- ATSWHATIMTALKNBOUT

7th Race -- DERRICK -- Returns to races in tough spot, Argentine draws good post for full field in turf route, P. Val on Cerin trainee, will be rolling late. KOMISTAR -- British-bred draws well in claimer, Espinoza aboard Vienna trainee for owner Red Baron's Barn, good spot for action. Value Play -- VENATOR

8th Race -- CONGAREE -- Draws well for route stakes, Bailey ships cross country to ride Baffert trainee, coming into contest off big New York fall tally. KELA -- Race might shape up right for his running style, Nakatani on Inda trainee for owners Jones, solid chance at attractive price. Value Play -- COTTAGE

9th Race -- DUE SEASON -- Draws good outer post for sprint claimer, Flores aboard Paasch trainee, Season could be Due for winners circle visit. POLISH POLICE -- Nakatani on Ellis trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post, Polish arrest of foes for Police? Value Play -- BATTLE GOD