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

Thursday, April 1, 2004 | 9:32 a.m.

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

1st Race -- PREEMPTOR -- Draws good middle post for 2-furlong drag race, Boag aboard one-of-two Dutton-trained "hidden entry", jockey knows how to win these dashes. TELLMEITSNOTSO -- Bug boy Bisono atop the "other" Dutton trainee, draws well for Cal-bred maiden special weight dash, connections are best with babies. Value Play -- QUICK LAD

2nd Race -- ROCKY PLAINS -- Santiago atop West trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from inside post at sprint distance, Rocky rocks and rolls from rail? RAVE PARTY -- Draws outside post for claiming dash, Nakatani on Mullins trainee, backers ready to Party with Rave reviews here. Value Play -- FOUNTAIN GROVE

3rd Race -- CONSOLIDATED FACT -- Bug boy Bisono atop Ward trainee, draws good rail post for mile maiden/claimer, Fact is Consolidated trip leads to graduation. JUSTASTORM -- Nakatani aboard Mitchell trainee, must overcome outside post at two-turn trip, if race is Just-a-storm then diploma forthcoming. Value Play -- THANKS HAJJI

4th Race -- PASSIVE RESISTANCE -- Espinoza aboard Frankel trainee for owner Juddmonte Farms, draws good spot for downhill diploma try, respect connections. WHOLLY JOHN -- Draws alongside top pick for down-the-dip maiden special weight run, Santiago atop young Dollace trainee for owner Reddman. Value Play -- LOYAL DEPUTY

5th Race -- EXCESSIVE HAYATE -- Nakatani on Spawr trainee, draws inner box for short sprint claimer, good start puts this one right in the thick of it. TIMELY JEFF -- Draws alongside top pick, Baze aboard O'Neill trainee, solid connections here. Value Play -- BARON'S RANK

6th Race -- FORGET -- Flores aboard Vienna trainee for owner Red Baron's Barn, needs crafty trip from post draw in turf route, cagey connections here. BADINAGE -- Santiago astride Mitchell trainee, must overcome outside post in two-turn grass claimer, both jockey and trainer having solid meet. Value Play -- ABSOLUTE CHARMER

7th Race -- SUMMER SPORT -- Ships down from Golden Gate for this southland feature spot, Espinoza on Moger, Jr., trainee, good spot for action. STAND BY YOUR FLAG -- Draws good inner post for Cal-bred sprint allowance/claimer, Santiago atop Baffert trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, solid connections here. Value Play -- INTUIT

8th Race -- CHARISMATIC'S GIFT -- Draws good post in full field of maiden/claiming sprinters, Espinoza on Dominguez trainee, Charismatic's Gift may be graduation run for backers. BETPHONE -- Baze aboard Knapp trainee, draws outside post for sophomore tag dash, adds blinkers for this diploma try. Value Play -- RAW DATA