Ralph Siraco’s selections for Thursday’s races at Santa Anita

Wednesday, March 31, 2004 | 9:25 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday and his Southern California selections run Tuesday-Sunday.

1st Race -- SILVER PAST -- Draws good post for sprint opener, Baze aboard Baffert trainee, Past Silver to present gold? IT'S A PERFECT DAY -- Nakatani on Mitchell trainee, draws inner box for sophomore maiden/claiming dash, could make a Perfect beginning to Day for backers with graduation. Value Play -- INCARCERATED

2nd Race -- FLAMING MOE -- Solis scales co-owner Headley trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post at sprint distance, Flaming graduation makes Moe than foes. JONE'S TALE -- Has good outside post for maiden special weight dash, Baze aboard Becerra trainee, sans blinkers for this diploma try. Value Play -- ROBERT E

3rd Race -- BEACH PIZZA -- In good box for down-the-dip claimer, Nakatani on Mitchell trainee, foes to Beach means Pizza delivers. COOKIE CRUMBS -- Draws alongside top pick for sophomore filly hill run, Smith scales Spawr trainee, Cookie sits the trip and picks up the Crumbs. Value Play -- MISS DEL MAR

4th Race -- TWISTED HUMOR -- Baze aboard O'Neill trainee, has good post for sprint maiden/claimer, Twisted foes leads to Humor graduation. B.R. LADY -- Santiago atop Abrams trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in sophomore filly dash, Lady to build up B.R. with diploma? Value Play -- MYSTERIOUS PHOENIX

5th Race -- KOLOB -- Part of Gill-owned and Canani-trained coupled entry with CHADWICKS WELL, Espinoza here, Puglisi there, double threat here. THE DENVER DREAM -- Draws good post for route claimer, Baze aobard Metz trainee, an LA win for Denver is The Dream of backers. Value Play -- PARA USTED

6th Race -- SKY REALITY -- Draws good inner post for turf mile, Espinoza aboard Zucker trainee, set to trip out here. ONE TWO PUNCH -- Santiago atop Palma trainee, draws good box for two-turn grass starter allowance outing, puts the One Two Punch on field? Value Play -- GLANCE WINK SMILE

7th Race -- KEDINGTON -- Baze aboard Becerra trainee, needs crafty trip from post draw in mile feature, a factor throughout. CHESTER'S CHOICE -- Nakatani atop Mayberry trainee, fits this two-turn allowance/claimer well, needs to get a trip here. Value Play -- SEATTLESPECTACULAR

8th Race -- SANZIBAR -- Draws good box in full field at one mile trip, Nakatani on Mitchell trainee, knocking on diploma door. CONGRESSIONAL RUN -- Smith scales Spawr trainee, needs crafty trip from outer post draw in sophomore maiden/claimer, most votes to win Run for graduation? Value Play -- SPRINGSTER