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

Wednesday, March 5, 2003 | 9:42 a.m.

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

Thursday's card

1st Race -- BORASCA -- Solis scales Headley trainee, draws good post for sprint opener, jockey-trainer team potent pair. ALLTROIENNE -- Training at San Luis Rey center, P. Val aboard Bump trainee, odd coupling for maiden/claimer, hmmm.... Value Play -- INDY'S ANNA

2nd Race -- ELA ELA -- Baze aboard Becerra trainee, draws good inner post for Cal-bred route, sans blinkers for this outing. RAN FOR THE DOUGH -- Draws rail box in allowance run, Stevens scales Gallagher trainee, may get the trip For The Dough. Value Play -- ARTIST'S STUDIO

3rd Race -- MANANAN MCLIR -- P. Val stays on Dollace trainee, fits this turf route better than dirt try, Man-an-an-a-winner here. RIVER GOD -- Solis scales Mandella trainee, draws good inner box for allowance/claimer, God willing the River may run through the winners circle. Value Play -- DEVINE WIND

4th Race -- PEARL HUNT -- Lands likely spot in bottom-level claimer, Vergara atop co-owner Mayberry trainee, good spot for action. IRISH SLEW -- Puglisi atop hot trainer Mullins runner, draws good post for sprint, with some Irish luck filly may Slew foes. Value Play -- FRESH BROCCOLI

5th Race -- INTRICATE -- Flores atop Canani trainee for owners Wygod, needs crafty trip from post draw in Cal-bred allowance/claimer, respect connections. I'MMUCHTHEBEST -- Gets one of the best post spots from inside at mile distance, Desormeaux on Gallagher trainee, is she much-the-best here? Value Play -- LUCKY SPIRIT

6th Race -- CANTALOUPE -- P. Val atop Gaines trainee for co-owner Harris Farms & company, draws good spot in mile claimer, adds blinkers for this. BITINGLY COLD -- Draws rail box here, Krone atop Threewitt trainee, hot trip may be Bitingly Cold for foes. Value Play -- BYE BYE BIRDIE

7th Race -- VAN ROUGE -- Draws rail box for downhill feature, Stevens scales Shirreffs trainee for owners Moss, trip may be the key for victory. KIFISSOS -- British-bred draws alongside top pick, P. Val on McAnally trainee for allowance/claimer, solid connections for this run. Value Play -- MACWARD

8th Race -- ANGEL ON TRACK -- Smith scales Gallagher trainee, draws inner post for sprint finale, if Angel is On Track then graduation is eminent. LES BE FRIENDS -- Solis aboard Stute trainee for maiden/calimer nightcap, draws good box here, backers hope Les Be Friends to them. Value Play -- BOURBON AMBASSADOR