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

Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2003 | 8:30 a.m.

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

Thursday's card

1st Race -- ALWAYS EXCESSIVE -- P. Val aboard Machowsky trainee for owners Bob & Beverly Lewis, draws good inner post for mile opener. VALENTINE DANCER -- Draws alongside top pick for Cal-bred maiden outing, Desormeaux on Lewis trainee, a sweetheart Dancer diploma? Value Play -- SIBERIAN KATY

2nd Race -- LAKE WILLIAM -- Draws outside post for downhill allowance/claimer, Krone on Cerin trainee, only starter in the field going with a tag. KACHAMANDI -- Chilean-bred shortens up for downhill run, P. Val aboard Abrams trainee, rider fits this runner well. Value Play -- CAYOKE

3rd Race -- LIBERTY RUN -- Flores astride Baffert trainee for owner Stonerside Stable, well spotted at this level, must overcome outside box in mile claimer. AZILLION -- Irish-bred draws rail post, Desormeaux atop Hess trainee, should get a catbird trip in this. Value Play -- BRAZIL NUT

4th Race -- LETTERTOTHEEDITOR -- Draws good outer box for 7-panel maiden/claimer, Krone on Dominguez trainee, Letter-of-graduation-to-the-editor? SLEWDLE'S PROMISE -- Draws alongside top pick, Vergara aboard Stute trainee, backers hope Slewdle's Promise is graduation. Value Play -- SHEZASEAHEROINE

5th Race -- ADORABLE ONE -- Solis scales Headley trainee for owner Mercedes Stables, draws good outer post for sprint distance, One Adorable enough for win? VITAL ASSET -- Hustling Espinoza on Machowsky trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post for allowance/claimer, Asset here? Value Play -- SQUARE DANCE

6th Race -- EMPHASIZE -- Flores atop Machowsky trainee, draws good middle box in full field of maiden/claimers at short dash distance, Empasize graudation here? CHOGORI -- Draws alongside top pick, Krone on Gonzalez trainee for owners McCaffery & Toffan, solid connections for diploma success. Value Play -- SIR TIFICATE

7th Race -- CHRISTEL FLAME -- British-bred draws good spot for turf route feature, Nakatani aboard Drysdale trainee, respect connections. MOTTO -- Returns after grass tightener, Espinoza back aboard Mandella trainee for owners Moss, one-of-three in allowance/claimer available for a tag. Value Play -- HANNIBAL LAD

8th Race -- AVIE CIELO -- Training at Hollypark, P. Val on co-owner Aguirre trainee, draws good post for Cal-bred claimer. CHARMELEON -- Desormeaux astride Hess trainee, draws inner spot for nightcap sprint, jockey-trainer team productive pair. Value Play -- FIERCE HEART