Ralph Siraco’s Santa Anita selections

Thursday, March 18, 2004 | 9:18 a.m.

Friday's card

1st Race -- THE BORG QUEEN -- Draws good post for mile opener, Espinoza up, set to be Queen of this Borg group. TRACY'S TRACTION -- Nakatani takes the call, draws good rail post for two--turn claimer, Tracy's Traction foes could be key to win. Value Play -- CHECKTHISGROOVE

2nd Race -- HONEYPENNY -- Draws good spot in small five-horse field, Stevens scales here, Honey victory pays more than Penny to backers. TAMWEEL -- Flores aboard, draws rail post for downhill allowance/claimer, inner post not a problem in small field. Value Play -- GOLDY ROCK

3rd Race -- BERTRANDO'S MODEL -- Draws good box in sprint claimer, Smith scales here, well spotted in this heat. QUICK NIP -- Hustling Pedroza atop, draws good post here, Quick hit to Nip foes? Value Play -- CHOSEN HONOR

4th Race -- GOOD TERMS -- Nakatani in irons, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post at short sprint run, good spot for action. BRITE BOUNTY -- Draws outer box here, Baze aboard, should be forward factor at this level claimer. Value Play -- LAKOTA

5th Race -- CAP FERRAT -- Argentine-bred draws good post in full field down-the-dip, Solis sits here, well spotted for solid effort. DARK SORCERER -- British-bred draws outer box in downhill claimer, Nakatani atop for this, will be running at the end. Value Play -- HOLDTHEHELM

6th Race -- AMERICAN SAGA -- Draws good post for sprint maiden special weight run, Santiago atop, the Santiago Saga is to be an American riding star. KALAHARI CAT -- Stevens scales here, draws good box for maiden dash, Cat quick can lead to graduation. Value Play -- SMILING EYES

7th Race -- CAPTAIN SQUIRE -- Draws good post for full field at turf mile, Solis stays here, connections still looking for this guy's niche, this it? EXPRESSO BAY -- Hard knocker draws good rail post for two-turn grass claimer, Pedroza fits this guy, threat to go all the way. Value Play -- SIGFRETO

8th Race -- TALK THE WALK -- Draws good post in Cal-bred sprint, Solis scales, if he can Walk The Talk then he can Walk into winners circle. TRICK OF TIME -- Draws alongside top pick in maiden/claiming finale, Desormeaux aboard, the question is: Trick foes in Time Of graduation? Value Play -- GOTTA GO GO