Ralph Siraco’s Santa Anita selections

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 | 9:16 a.m.

Thursday's card

1st Race -- SHERMANTHETANK -- Draws good post in first freshman dash of year, Pedroza on onwer-Lerille trainee, boot-n-scoot here. MARIACHI -- Training at Fairplex Park, Martinez on Rizo trainee, another good hustling pair. Value Play -- REDNAROUND

2nd Race -- GOLD GARTERS -- Solis scales O'Neill trainee, draws outer post in short sprint run, goes for the graduation Gold here. SHESASURESHOT -- Draws outside box in maiden/claiming dash, Pedroza on Van Berg trainee, prompt start a must for diploma. Value Play -- DOMINATED GIRL

3rd Race -- FATAL CAPER -- Draws good rail post for mile claimer, Berrio aboard Avila trainee, jockey-trainer due for victory pairing. SKY'S COMET -- Training at Hollypark, Santiago atop Hines trainee, Comet effort makes Sky's the limit. Value Play -- AUSSIE GIRL

4th Race -- SHARI'S DELIGHT -- Hustling Espinoza on Moreno trainee, draws good post for sprint run, Shari's graduation to Delight of backers? AMAPOLA'S WISH -- Bug boy Bisono atop Blincoe trainee, draws good post for maiden/claiming dash, Amapola's Wish is diploma. Value Play -- CRIMSON DELIGHT

5th Race -- ROYAL GEM -- Desormeaux on one-of-two Frankel-trained "hidden entry", fits this allowance/claiming grass outing well. BAROMETRIC -- Draws good post for turf route outing, Stevens scales Mullins trainee, good spot for action. Value Play -- ACADEMY SPY

6th Race -- FUTURE THOUGHT -- Draws good post for Cal-bred sprint, Solis scales Hofmans trainee, Thought is Future victory? ACLEVERSHADEOFJADE -- Martinez aboard O'Neill trainee, draws outside post for downhill allowance/claimer, fits this heat well. Value Play -- MEMOGRAM

7th Race -- MAMBO SLEW -- Smith aboard one of two Biancone-trained entries, needs crafty trip from post draw in turf mile feature, loves this layout. GRACEFULLY -- Irish-bred draws good inner box for two-turn grass stakes, Solis scales Frankel trainee, could get the trip here. Value Play -- SHAKE OFF

8th Race -- SMOKEN FEATHERS -- Hustling Pedroza on main man Carava trainee, needs prompt start from post draw in short nightcap dash, Smoken at this level? APOLLO WILLFOOL'YA -- Draws good post for Cal-bred tag dash, Puglisi aboard Aguirre trainee, cagey jockey-trainer combo. Value Play -- MISS BUONA SERA