Ralph Siraco’s Santa Anita selections

Wednesday, March 24, 2004 | 9:09 a.m.

Thursday's card

1st Race -- SEMI QUEEN -- Draws good post for straight 2-furlong drag race, Espinoza up, Queen to be crowned with diploma? LOTTA LOOT -- Nakatani sees enough to ride, draws outside post, backers hope he brings back Lotta Loot. Value Play -- KELLY'S PRINCESS

2nd Race -- BEEZER -- Cal-bred draws good post for route starter allowance, Nakatani on, filly fits here. ICE IT HONEY -- Draws good rail post for two-turn run, Santiago atop, backers hope she can Ice foes for Honey of a win. Value Play -- SHARPENED COPY

3rd Race -- GRINDING IT OUT -- Draws good outside post for sprint starter allowance outing, Santiago atop, victory may be just a case of Grinding It Out. FLAG TO FLY -- Hustling Esinoza in the saddle here, draws good box for dash run, may be the one To Fly the Flag of victory. Value Play -- DIPLOMATIC TIES

4th Race -- MOLLY'S GUN MOLL -- Daws good post in full field of maiden/claiming sprinters, Desormeaux aboard, Molly's MO to Gun down foes and Moll diploma. MI CARAMELO -- Draws inner box for Cal-bred dash, Baze aboard to help, Mi 'caramia victory for Caramelo? Value Play -- WON TON TOOSIE

5th Race -- RIVER LIGHTS -- Kentucky-bred draws good post for turf mile, Ramsammy atop, River run to Lights up the board? PLENTY OF HEAT -- Florida-bred draws well for sophomore grass run, Nakatani atop, ready to put Plenty Of Heat on foes here? Value Play -- ORO GRAND

6th Race -- GROSS MARGIN -- Draws good middle post for 7-panel run, Espinoza aboard, been knocking on diploma door. KOSTAKI -- Cal-bred draws outside box for maiden/claimer, bug boy Bisono aboard, Kostaki diploma? Value Play -- WHIRLY WIND

7th Race -- GASSAN ROYAL -- Kentucky-bred gets Santiago here, fits this grass feature well, should mow them down in the stretch. COMMERCANT VIC -- Cal-bred draws good box for turf allowance/claimer, Baze aboard for this, Vic to stick it out against feature foes? Value Play -- HECANDIGIT

8th Race -- SMOKIN' VIGOR -- Baze aboard sophomore filly, draws good post for maiden/claiming dash, Smokin' effort leads to Vigor diploma. NATURAL ROUTE -- Draws rail box for Cal-bred sprint finale, Smith scales, Natural Route is to end in winners circle? Value Play -- TWISTER ALLEY