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

Friday, March 21, 2003 | 9:36 a.m.

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

Saturday's card

1st Race -- COMMANDER'S FLAG -- Solis on Headley trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, draws well in allowance opener, victory Flag for Commander's backers? VODKA AND TONIC -- Stevens sits Mullins trainee for owner Englander, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in sprint, drinks in winners circle? Value Play -- POHAVE

2nd Race -- FLOWINGTON -- Irish-bred part of Red Baron's Barn-owned & Vienna-trained coupled entry with French-bred RIVER BRIDGE, Flores here, Espinoza there. FAN APPEAL -- Nakatani aboard Sise trainee, draws good box for downhill claimer, certain to have Fan Appeal if she wins here. Value Play -- BOCA DREAM

3rd Race -- LUZERN -- Espinoza on Harrington trainee, draws good box and well placed at this claiming level, pick in tough heat. TIOGA LAKE -- Baze aboard Carava trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in sprint outing, may come right back. Value Play -- STYLISH ACCOUNT

4th Race -- GOLDEN BONUS -- Solis scales Eurton trainee, fits this group of comeptitors well, must overcome outside post for mile run. THE DENVER DREAM -- Baze aboard Metz trainee, draws good inner post for this claimer, should be right there. Value Play -- DAUNTING

5th Race -- STRATEGIC MOVE -- Flores rides Ellis trainee, draws good post for downhill maiden outing, makes Strategic Move to graduate here? STERNY -- Training at Hollypark, Nakatani on Dollace trainee, draws a good middle post for tricky course run. Value Play -- SHELDRAKE

6th Race -- ROJO TORO -- Flores atop this one of three Baffert entries, draws good post for sprint stakes, major factor at this trip. OUR BOBBY V. -- Another that shortens up for sophomore added-money event, Smith takes over for sidelined Pincay on Spawr trainee, a factor throughout. Value Play -- TRUCKLE FEATURE

7th Race -- SUMATI -- British-bred training at Hollypark, Valdivia on Dollace trainee, good spot for action in wide open lawn party. INDIAHOMA -- Draws good post for full field at turf mile, Desormeaux on Hess trainee, hard knocker likes the course and fits this spot. Value Play -- MORE MODERN

8th Race -- TOUGH GAME -- Stevens on Baffert horse for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, draws good inner post for route allowance/claimer, Game Tough here? TRACEMARK -- Training at Hollypark, Desormeaux stays on Sauque trainee, has run some races good enough to win this. Value Play -- WOODY HAZE

9th Race -- MEGAHERTZ -- British bred ships across town for Grade II stakes, Solis scales Frankel horse, makes late impact. NOCHES DE ROSA -- Chilean-bred draws alongside top pick in turf route feature, Smith astride Mandella trainee, threatening to run a big one. Value Play -- MAGIC MISSION

10th Race -- HAPPY AND HASTY -- Part of Golden Eagle Farm-owned coupled entry with SEARCH AND RESCUE, Solis/Hofmans here, Vergara/Dominguez there. GAELIC LADD -- Training at Hollypark, Nakatani on co-owner Chapman trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in short nightcap dash. Value Play -- DAKOTA ICE