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

Thursday, March 13, 2003 | 8:51 a.m.

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

Friday's card

1st Race -- FREE'S LIL LASS -- Part of Dutton Stables-owned & Dutton-trained coupled entry with GAMBLING HOPE, Pedroza here, Espinoza there, duo for dash. BENEFICIAL BARTOK -- Desoremeaux on Ward trainee, draws good post for short straight dash, drag race graduation? Value Play -- CAR LADY

2nd Race -- LINDA EDER -- Solis scales Carava trainee, draws good box for turf mile, well spotted for success. QUE FACIL CORAZON -- P. Val atop Glatt trainee, must overcome outside box in claimer, Que Facil sera sera? Value Play -- SENORA POPPY

3rd Race -- HEROIC FIREFIGHTER -- Solis scales Dominguez trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, draws good post for Cal-bred sprint, Heroic graduation? PETE'S LEGACY -- Nakatani on Lewis trainee, draws well for maiden/claimer, Legacy is diploma pursuit for Pete's sake. Value Play -- COLD ENCOUNTER

4th Race -- COCONUT GIRL -- Training at Hollypark, P. Val on Aguirre trainee for owner JPF Investments, draws good outside post in sprint outing. SQUARE DANCE -- Nakatani atop Threewitt trainee, draws well for allowance run, Square backers ready to Dance in winners circle. Value Play -- VITAL ASSET

5th Race -- OKAWANGO -- Solis scales Mandella trainee, draws outer box for turf mile, sans blinkers for this outing. OUR NEW RECRUIT -- Draws middle box on allowance/claimer, Espinoza on Salder trainee, could Recruit New fans with a victory. Value Play -- TOP HONOURS

6th Race -- CASTLEBRIGHT -- Draws good post for full field at sprint distance, Flores on Levine trainee, well spotted for action here. GENIE MAGIC -- Hustling Pedroza astride Knapp trainee, draws inner post for claimer, could trip out in this spot. Value Play -- MILAGRA

7th Race -- BIS REPETITAS -- Valdivia atop Frankel trainee for owner Gann, draws good spot in turf mile feature, solid connections always dangerous. TEMERITAS -- Irish bred draws good rail post in grass stakes, Solis scales Bray trainee, set to get catbird trip. Value Play -- HELMS DEEP

8th Race -- SEQUOIAN -- P. Val aboard Canani trainee for owner Team Valor, LLC, draws good inner post for mile nightcap, trips out for diploma. HIGH COUNSELOR -- Smith scales Gallagher trainee, needs crafty trip from post draw in maiden/claimer, backers High on Counselor graduation chances. Value Play -- OLE BLUE BOY