Ralph Siraco’s Santa Anita selections

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2004 | 9:42 a.m.

Thursday's card

1st Race -- SHARPENED COPY -- Draws good inner post for route opener, Solis scales Headley trainee, Sharpened effort for Copy of diploma here. TITA EMERALD -- Espinoza on Parga trainee, draws good rail post for two-turn maiden/claimer, gem of a graduation for Tita? Value Play -- BARDY WOMAN

2nd Race -- ACE'S VALENTINE -- Hard knocker at this level, Nakatani atop Mitchell trainee, sweetheart trip and Ace's foes here. NORTHGLEN -- Draws alongside top pick for mile claimer, Espinoza aboard Aguirre trainee, Glen leaves competition North of wire? Value Play -- NEUCHA TEL

3rd Race -- EXCESS TAXES -- Smith sits Spawr trainee here, draws outside box for short maiden special weight dash, Excess effort Taxes foes. SHOSHONE -- Draws inner box for Cal-bred sophomore sprint, Ramsammy astride Sadler trainee, Sho-shon-e-the-money? Value Play -- RECKLESS HERO

4th Race -- C D CRUZER -- Garcia returns on young Stute trainee, was closing and just missed in last, now goes longer in two-turn claimer. FUN MEETING YOU -- Draws good post for route tag run, Santiago atop Canani trainee for owner Gill, solid connections here. Value Play -- THE DENVER DREAM

5th Race -- COVERYOURBETS -- Hustling Pedroza on main man Carava trainee, draws outer post in short sophomore sprint outing, backers hope this guy can Cover-their-bets. GO WILD -- Draws extreme outside post in Cal-bred maiden special weight dash, Desormeaux atop O'Neill trainee, backers set to Go Wild with graduation score. Value Play -- BENCHLY

6th Race -- CHADWICKS WELL -- Irish-bred draws good rail post in route claimer, Solis scales Gaines trainee, finally learned how to win. FOREIGN ACCENT -- British-bred draws challenging post for two-turn tag run, Smith scales Spawr trainee, respect connections here. Value Play -- STEELEON SEASON

7th Race -- RUN REBECCA RUN -- Draws good post for 7-panel feature, Santiago atop Baffert trainee, adds blinkers for this outing. SPIRIT OF NATURE -- Espinoza aboard Shirreffs trainee for owners Moss, draws good box for long one-turn allowance run, good spot for action. Value Play -- CYBER SLEW

8th Race -- BUTTER ME UP TINY -- Santiago atop Baffert trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in sprint finale, Tiny to Butter Up backers with diploma for Me. GARLAND OF LOVE -- Training at Hollypark, draws good middle post in full field of maiden/claiming sprinters, Baze aboard O'Neill trainee and adds blinkers for this. Value Play -- LORENA MARIA