Ralph Siraco’s Santa Anita selections

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003 | 11:12 a.m.

Thursday's card

1st Race -- SPIRITED -- Draws good post for sprint opener, Krone atop O'Neill trainee, sans blinkers, backers hope for a Spirited graduation. MYSTERIOUS PEACE -- Draws outside post in maiden/claiming dash, Smith scales Hofmans trainee, Mysterious diploma brings Peace to connnections. Value Play -- CRAFTY BABE

2nd Race -- EARLY SNOW -- Draws outside post in five-horse field of sophomores, P. Val on Dominguez trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, beware. DR. DUBAI -- Espinoza aboard Garcia trainee, draws good inner post for mile claimer, might be just what the Dr. ordered. Value Play -- LAKE DANZIG

3rd Race -- BEYOND INFINITY -- French-bred draws inner box for downhill run, P. Val aboard Mitchell trainee, needs crafty trip on tricky course. DREAM OF DASHING -- Solis scales Carava trainee, draws good post for claimer, backers Dream Of Dashing to the winners circle. Value Play -- FLIRT WITH FORTUNE

4th Race -- FARAH LOVE -- Smith sits Spawr trainee for owners Craig, draws good post for sprint claimer, should be a factor throughout. SULTRY SOUND -- Hustling Pedroza on main man Carava trainee, has good box for tag dash, fits this spot well. Value Play -- BITINGLY COLD

5th Race -- COCONUT MANGO -- Desormeaux aboard Marlow trainee, in good box for allowance sprint, exotic drinks in order to celebrate victory? DEALINWITHINSANITY -- Draws inner post in Cal-bred dash, hustling Pedroza on Baffert trainee for owner Pegram, Dealin with tough team. Value Play -- MCMANUS

6th Race -- GENTLEMAN PLAYER -- P. Val atop O'Neill trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from inner post at sprint distance, bred to graduate early. STABILITY -- Draws good post in full field of freshmen maiden/claimers, Flores aboard Baffert trainee, dash diploma provides Stability? Value Play -- HAPPY YODELER

7th Race -- TRADITION ROCKS -- Flores again on Canani trainee for owners Wygod, draws good post for turf mile feature, solid contender likes the trip. STRATUS -- French-bred has good inner post for sod allowance/claimer, Valdivia on Shulman trainee, could trip out in this spot. Value Play -- DELL PLACE

8th Race -- IN EXCESS SUCCESS -- Draws good post in full field of maiden/claimers for nightcap dash, P. Val astride Lewis trainee, Success In Excess diploma? VERY PRESIDENTIAL -- Has outer post in Cal-bred sprint, hustling Espinoza on Cassidy trainee, graduation or recall here? Value Play -- TWO OUT RALLY