Ralph Siraco’s Santa Anita Park selections

Friday, Jan. 9, 2004 | 9:59 a.m.

Saturday's card

1st Race -- ORO DESERT -- Espinoza on Mullins trainee, draws good spot in route claimer, solid connections here. THAMES -- Pedroza atop main man Carava trainee, in outside box in seven-horse two-turn tag run, needs crafty trip here. Value Play -- UNCLE JACK

2nd Race -- BULL HEADED HARRY -- Has good outside post in sprint claimer, Desormeaux on Hess trainee, jockey-trainer team productive pair. WIRE TRANSFER -- Draws alongside top pick, John atop Glatt trainee, good spot for action. Value Play -- NIGHTHUNTER

3rd Race -- FIRTH OF LORNE -- Irish-bred lands good spot in Grade II turf stakes, Flores aboard Harty trainee for owner Darley Stable, solid connections. MEGAHERTZ -- British-bred draws alongside top pick in five-mare grass feature, Solis scales Frankel trainee, dangerous powerful closing kick. Value Play -- MER DE CORAIL

4th Race -- ALCHEMA -- Espinoza on Shirreffs trainee for owners Moss, draws inner box for maiden special weight filly sprint, well-bred in tough field of foes. CHASENTHEBLUESAWAY -- Pedroza aboard Baffert trainee for owner Pegram, adds blinkers for this diploma try. Value Play -- MALAYSIA

5th Race -- STRATEGICALLY -- Has good middle post for sprint starter allowance outing, Valdivia on Canani trainee for owners Wygod, respect connections. N Y REMEMBERED -- Midwest invader Court atop co-owner O'Neill trainee, needs crafty trip from inner post, could get decent price with this rider up. Value Play -- LOOKS LIKA FISH

6th Race -- RAVE PARTY -- Draws good post in full field of Cal-bred sophomores at sprint distance, Nakatani on Stute trainee, backers to hold Rave Party for graduation. CHEIRON -- Draws extreme outside box in maiden special weight dash, Espinoza aboard young Mulhall trainee, sans blinkers for this diploma try. Value Play -- RUNNING FREE

7th Race -- CAP FERRAT -- Argentine-bred starts from inner post for full field going down the hill, Stevens scales Mullins trainee, good spot for action. ISLANDER -- Draws alongside top pick in downhill claimer, Espinoza on Canani trainee for owner Gill, specialist at this trip. Value Play -- BIG FUTURE

8th Race -- DURING -- Returns to races in Grade II feature, Flores aboard Baffert trainee for owner McIngvale, barn good at getting runners ready off-the-shelf. TOCCET -- Espinoza takes over on Scanlan trainee, competitive runner fits this full field of 4-year-olds, must overcome outside post at route distance. Value Play -- ANZIYAN ROYALTY

9th Race -- MEMO HOUSE -- Pedroza on Spawr trainee, draws good post in full field of nightcap sprinters, diploma Memo to the House here? FEATURE STORY -- Draws alongside top pick in maiden/claiming dash, Espinoza atop Polanco trainee, Feature Story for backers is graduation here? Value Play -- DAY OF INFAMY