Ralph Siraco’s Santa Anita Park selections

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004 | 9:51 a.m.

Thursday's card

1st Race -- SULTRY SOUND -- Desormeaux on Hess trainee, draws good post for sprint opener, lands likely spot.

O'NECTAR -- Hustling Pedroza on main man Carava trainee, draws good box for dash claimer, solid jockey-trainer combo.

Value Play -- GRANJA VIVO

2nd Race -- MONT SAINT MICHEL -- Chilean-bred draws middle box in small five-horse turf field, Flores on one of two Frankel-trained 'hidden entries', beware.

BLUE BOAT -- Draws just inside top pick, the 'other' Frankel trainee gets John aboard, all-Frankel quinella here? Value Play -- METEOR STORM

3rd Race -- MISS THIRTYFOUR D -- Stevens scales Gallagher trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post at sprint distance, won't touch the name. MISS CARRERA -- Smith sits Eurton trainee, draws good box for Cal-bred maiden special weight dash, Carrera trip gets diploma. Value Play -- SUMMER STAR

4th Race -- QUEENOFLUV -- Smith scales co-owner Dutton trainee, draws good post for short claiming dash, early foot required here. NIGHTHUNTER TWO -- Flores atop Sise trainee, draws outside post for sophomore filly dash, Two-for-one daycatcher? Value Play -- MADAM BAHRI

5th Race -- DIG THAT RHYTHM -- Training at Hollypark, Flores on young Mandella trainee, right Rhythm can Dig That diploma here. OCH TAMALE -- Espinoza on one-of-two Mullins-trained 'hidden entry', draws good post for downhill maiden special weight outing, hot Tamale graduation? Value Play -- FOUR SONG LIMIT

6th Race -- SCOTCHWATER -- Draws outer post in full field of maiden/claimers at dash distance, Smith scales Spawr trainee, drinks at the bar for graduation? SOUPY -- Flores atop Abrams trainee, needs crafty trip from post draw in sophomore sprint, no Soupy kitchen for backers with diploma in hand. Value Play -- HOT MESSAGE

7th Race -- DESERT VIEW -- British-bred draws goo spot in turf route feature, Nakatani on young Mulhall trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, solid threat. THEATER R.N. -- Flores aboard Frankel trainee, must overcome outside post in two-turn grass allowance/claimer, bred for it and in right barn. Value Play -- MAGNIFICENT VAL

8th Race -- SUNDER BAY -- Valdivia on O'Neill trainee, needs crafty trip from post draw in route maiden/claimer, hails from solid barn for graduation attempt. CONGRESSIONAL RUN -- Hustling Pedroza on Gallagher trainee, draws good inner post for two-turn sophomore nightcap, big Run gets Congressional vote. Value Play -- SWIFT RESPONSE