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

Friday, Jan. 31, 2003 | 9:38 a.m.

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

1st Race -- BIKER'S SIS -- Solis scales this Spawr trainee, draws good spot for mile opener, motors to winners circle here? NETTIE'S ROSE -- Hustling Pedroza aboard Gallagher trainee, needs crafty trip from outer post draw for claimer, Rose for the runs-es? Value Play -- MAGICAL NATURE

2nd Race -- BATTLE GOD -- Draws outside post for sprint claimer, Espinoza atop young Mulhall trainee, adds blinkers for this. MR. REED -- Draws good spot for bottom-level tag, P. Val on this Spawr trainee, should be a factor throughout. Value Play -- MY KIND OF DAY

3rd Race -- SHAH JEHAN -- Draws into small allowance/claimer, P. Val on Lukas trainee, should sit the trip in this. GENTLE GIANT -- Hustling Espinoza on Gonzalez trainee for owners McCaffery & Toffan, a forward factor here, might be gone without pressure. Value Play -- POPULAR

4th Race -- KAFWAIN -- Espinoza back aboard Baffert trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, won Norfolk stakes over this track, good post for trip. SOUTHERN IMAGE -- Nakatani on Machowsky trainee in 7-panel Grade II stakes, chance to break into Derby scene with solid effort, Image of winner? Value Play -- RUNNIN' ON NITRO

5th Race -- LAKE WILLIAM -- Hustling Pedroza on Cerin trainee, draws good post for downhill claimer, solid chance at decent price. EL CIELO -- Training at Hollypark, Solis scales Dollace trainee, fits this trip well from outer post. Value Play -- DEPLOY VENTURE

6th Race -- HITCHCOCK'S BEST -- Draws good outside post at sprint distance, Solis scales young Mulhall trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, best here? AMERICAN LIBERTY -- Bailey aboard Drysdale trainee for owners Cowan, well bred youngster in field of well bred foes, American diploma for Liberty? Value Play -- LEGAL PROCESS

7th Race -- PARA ALQUILAR -- Draws good post for sprint claimer, Chavez takes Sadler trainee, fits well here and should be in the mix throughout. KINETIC BEND -- P. Val aboard Bray trainee, draws alongside top pick, another that should be a forward factor throughout. Value Play -- SLEW STEW

8th Race -- ARMS CONTROL -- Draws good outside box for downhill run, Krone atop Gaines trainee, makes late impact. ROBERTA'S MANGO -- Draws alongside top pick for Cal-bred allowance outing, Nakatani astride Canani trainee, solid connections here. Value Play -- CEASE SPAN

9th Race -- MEDAGLIA d'ORO -- Breeders' Cup Classic runner up makes 2003 debut here, Bailey flys across country to keep Frankel trainee for owner Gann, beware. PASS RUSH -- Won San Fernando steppingstone for this in last, Nakatani again on Byrne trainee for owner Tabor, parlay to Strub Grade II here? Value Play -- CASTLE GANDOLFO

10th Race -- GASSAN ROYAL -- Bailey stays for finale to ride Frankel trainee, draws good post for full field at turf mile, Royal graduation for Gassan backers? DEEP SHADOW -- P. Val aboard Lukas trainee for owner Fog City Stable, draws well in maiden nightcap, comes out of Shadow for Deep diploma? Value Play -- LOYAL DEPUTY