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

Friday, Jan. 17, 2003 | 9:12 a.m.

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

Saturday's card

1st Race -- BEN SAW SAN -- Draws good rail post for route opener, Enriquez on co-owner Garcia trainee, hard knocking gelding fits low level here. POOL MUSIC -- British-bred is another hard-knocking 'g', hustling Pedroza on main man Carava trainee, inside trip should could produce win. Value Play -- MEGA GIFT

2nd Race -- DIAMOND HOPE -- Smith sits Mandella trainee, draws good post for down the hill allowace run, adds blinkers for this trip. STUDIO TIME -- Draws outside box for downhill outing, Desormeaux aboard Drysdale trainee for owner Augustin Stable, respect connections. Value Play -- STEEL DUMAANI

3rd Race -- YODELIN TWO -- Hustling Espinoza on co-owner Harrington trainee, draws outside in small six-horse field for mile run, backers may be Yodelin victory. JUNIPER KRIS -- Solis scales Mandella trainee, draws just inside top pick for maiden/claimer, bred to win early. Value Play -- ASTRONOMER

4th Race -- MILITARY ACADAMY -- Flores aboard Gallagher trainee, draws good rail post for full field at route distance, could trip out in this. IRISH VALE -- British-bred draws outer box, Espinoza on Knapp trainee, sans blinkers for this trip. Value Play -- MONEYWASTER

5th Race -- EASY GAME -- Draws inner box for full field in allowance turf mile, Flores aboard Zucker trainee, could make this field Easy Game. TAORMINA -- Training at Hollypark, Nakatani aboard Cardenas trainee, adds blinkers for this outing. Value Play -- DECIMATE

6th Race -- GROSS MARGIN -- Part of Bob & Beverly Lewis-owned coupled entry with BOLD TRICK, Solis/Lukas here, Krone/Machowsky there, duo diploma threat. CARTHAGE -- Nakatani on Ellis trainee for owner Hughes, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in short maiden dash, early foot necessary. Value Play -- FIRST CLASS TRIP

7th Race -- SCRIMSHAW -- Solis scales Lukas trainee for owners Bob & Beverly Lewis, draws good spot in Grade II stakes, enters Derby dream with victory. DOMESTIC DISPUTE -- Flores on Baffert trainee, must overcome outside post in route feature, respect connections here. Value Play -- SINGLETARY

8th Race -- GREENHILLS -- British-bred draws good post for full field in turf mile, P. Val on Gaines trainee, pick in tough heat. COME BACK RONNIE -- Draws rail box for claimer, Solis astride young Canani trainee for owner Englander, Ronnie could trip out here. Value Play -- FIVE SCHILLINGS

9th Race -- TERMINATION -- Draws good middle post for full field in sprint nightcap, huslting Pedroza on co-owner Ward trainee, terminates foes for diploma? KID RIO -- Flores aboard Cerin trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in Cal-bred maiden/claimer, Kid to knockout field for graduation win. Value Play -- SUPER STRUT