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

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003 | 9:19 a.m.

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

Thursday's card

1st Race -- YOUMAKEMETHORBABY -- Draws good inner post for mile opener, Baze aboard Knapp trainee, should get the winning trip here. DAMASK STEEL -- Argentine-bred draws well for claimer, Flores atop this Spawr trainee, fits this group. Value Play -- TWO FOUR DANCER

2nd Race -- DREAM MACHINE -- French-bred draws middle box in turf mile, Nakatani on Canani trainee, backers Dream this guy win Machine. MARINE -- British-bred training at Hollypark, P. Val back aboard Frankel trainee for owner Juddmonte Farms, talented runner can be difficult for riders. Value Play -- ALYZIG

3rd Race -- TIOGA LAKE -- Draws good middle box for 7-panel claimer, hustling Espinoza aboard Harrington trainee, good spot for tag victory. STYLISH ACCOUNT -- P. Val astride Knapp trainee, draws outer post for this, Stylish win good for backers Account. Value Play -- GLOBAL GAMES

4th Race -- ODD TESTAMONY -- Draws good post for sprint outing, Valdivia on Marquez trainee for owners Anson, this is a dangerous owner/trainer/jockey team. RELUCTANT HERO -- P. Val atop Monteleone trainee, draws good box for starter allowance run, backers hope Hero not so Reluctant here. Value Play -- DARING BERT

5th Race -- BRILLIANT MOVE -- Draws good post for full field of maidens at turf mile distance, Pincay aboard young Dollace trainee, good spot to graduate. MAKEUP ARTIST -- Draws just inside top pick, Espinoza astride Shirreffs trainee, like top pick this one has chance to trip out for diploma. Value Play -- BETTER PLACE

6th Race -- CINNFUL BRIDE -- Espinoza sits co-owner Dominguez trainee, has enough speed to handle inner post draw, a factor throughout here. PRETTY AS ASHLEY -- P. Val on Cerin trainee, draws middle spot in sprint claimer, good spot for action. Value Play -- SWEET OLYMPIO

7th Race -- SECRET APPROVAL -- Draws good box for sprint allowance/claiming feature, Flores aboard Hendricks trainee, race could shape up to her liking. LIKE MAGIC -- Part of Lanni-co-owned and Monteleone-trained coupled entry with CANTA BONITA, P. Val here, Nakatani and blinkers there, double threat. Value Play -- MILAGRA

8th Race -- LATRONICA -- Hustling Pedroza aboard main man Carava trainee, draws good box for short nightcap dash, early interest produces diploma here. VICTORY MOMENT -- Draws middle post for maiden/claimer, Baze aboard young Canani trainee, her Moment for Victory here? Value Play -- TIME TO BE BOLD