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

Wednesday, March 12, 2003 | 8:40 a.m.

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

Thursday's card

1st Race -- LIL' BRO EDDIE -- Draws good box for the season's first baby-drag race, Valenzuela atop Duncan trainee, pop and go here. GAMBLING RENT -- Draws just outside top pick, hustling Pedroza onowner Dutton trainee, connection's forte. Value Play -- ANY QUESTIONS

2nd Race -- TENMA -- Draws good spot for route claimer, P. Val on Hines horse, Ten-ma-over-and-out. KATE'N AMY -- Baze aboard Sadler trainee, draws alongside top pick, fits this bottom-level outing. Value Play -- LIKE FLYING

3rd Race -- MARINE -- Part of Juddmonte Farms-owned & Frankel-trained coupled entry with MORE MODERN, Nakatani here, Valdivia there, double threat here. ROAD TO SLEW -- Training at Hollypark, P. Val aboard young Dollace trainee, Road To winners circle may pass through Slew? Value Play -- TIMBER BARON

4th Race -- CHAMP'S OLE' -- Draws good rail post for Cal-bred mile, Stevens scales co-owner Dutton trainee, Champ's graduation--Ole'! JUST BY CHANCE -- P. Val on Cerin trainee, challenging post draw for maiden/claimer, could overcome outside start Just By Chance. Value Play -- WEB CASTER

5th Race -- ROBERTA'S MANGO -- Nakatani astride Canani trainee, draws good outside post for downhill run, Mango mangles foes? MABEL KENT -- Draws good box for hillside Cal-bred allowance, Solis scales Jory trainee, maybe Mabel Kent can. Value Play -- SAXONY

6th Race -- DISTINCTIVE FLYER -- Draws outside post in sprint maiden/claimer, Solis sits Mayberry trainee, add blinkers for this graduation try. CULLEY -- Nakatani atop Aguirre trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from inner post, a Culley diploma here? Value Play -- SPEED TO SPEED

7th Race -- MAJOR IDEA -- Training at Hollypark, Espinoza atop Drysdale trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, Idea here is Major victory in turf stakes. DASH FOR MONEY -- Another shipping across town for mile feature, Solis scales Frankel trainee for owner Stronach Stables, house horse for the cash. Value Play -- ONEEXCESSIVENITE

8th Race -- BLUSHING CIEL -- Draws good spot for 7-panel diploma try, Berrio reunites with trainer Avlia here, jockey-trainer combo dangerous duo. BANKER BOY -- Solis astride hot trainer Mullins runner, draws alongside top pick for maiden/claimer, backers hope Boy can help their Banker-roll here. Value Play -- BOBSTHEBIGDOG