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

Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003 | 8:54 a.m.

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

Thursday's card

1st Race -- BOLDSHANNON -- Draws good post for sprint opener, Valenzuela on Glatt trainee, fits this Cal-bred outing well. BABY BEANS -- Draws just inside top pick for low-level claimer, Enriquez atop co-owner Bean trainee, Beans victory provides steak for dinner. Value Play -- WALL STREET RALLY

2nd Race -- JADE VIXEN -- Draws good box for 7-panel claimer, Pincay aboard Mitchell trainee, should get right trip in this spot. CINNFUL BRIDE -- Hustling Espinoza on Canani trainee, needs crafty trip from rail post here, has enough speed to get position. Value Play -- TAHITIAN RAIN

3rd Race -- WEB CASTER -- Vergara astride Cassidy trainee for owners Southern Nevada Racing Stables, needs to overcome outer post for the trip, nice price? GODS EAR -- Draws good inner post for the route maiden/claimer, Garcia on Abrams trainee, jockey-trainer duo dangerous pair. Value Play -- TENDER TRAP

4th Race -- VOWEL PLAY -- Draws good box for mile claimer, hustling Espinoza aboard Gallagher trainee, good spot for action. MR MOTION -- Pedroza astride main man Carava trainee, needs crafty trip from post draw, most Motion from Mr gets victory. Value Play -- NATURES CANDY

5th Race -- KOMISTAR -- British-bred lands good spot for turf route, Flores aboard Vienna trainee for owners Red Baron's Barn, owner-trainer-jockey team dangerous. REQUETE -- Another British-bred in the field, Valdivia gets chance on Frankel trainee for owner Juddmonte Farms, respect connections. Value Play -- DERECK

6th Race -- SIBERIAN STYLE -- P. Val on Bacorn trainee, draws good middle post for sprint maiden/claimer, winning Style gets diploma here. MYSTIC SWORD -- Solis scales Lukas trainee for owners Bob & Beverly Lewis, draws good outside box, respect connetions. Value Play -- ROCKET THRUSTER

7th Race -- MARTINBLESTME -- Pincay aboard one of two Baffert-trained entries, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in sprint feature, contender. ROYAL PLACE -- Draws good post for allowance/claimer, Espinoza on LaCroix trainee, good fit here. Value Play -- FLY TO THE WIRE

8th Race -- BEHIND THE PLATE -- Valdivia on Marquez trainee for owners Anson, needs crafty ride from rail post in 7-panel nightcap, potent connections, beware. TRIBE -- Draws good post for maiden/claimer finale, P. Val on Sise trainee, another dangerous team for diploma. Value Play -- ANOTHER GEORGE