Ralph Siraco’s Santa Anita selections

Friday, Oct. 15, 2004 | 9:16 a.m.

Saturday's card

1st Race -- SHALINI -- Draws good inner box for route turf opener, Flores on young Dollace trainee, first Cal-Cup stakes to this runner? DROUGHT BREAKER -- Nakatani atop Spawr trainee, should be in good spot for 1 1/4-mile grass stakes, gets the Cal-Cup trip? Value Play -- TUCKED AWAY

2nd Race -- FORWARD MARCH -- Training at Hollypark, draws good post for Cal-Cup Starter Sprint Handicap, Nakatani aboard O'Neill trainee. EARLY COTTON -- Starts from inner box for dash distance, Flores astride young Stute trainee, struting in high Cotton with an Early victory here. Value Play -- FOUR CHECKER

3rd Race -- YEARLY REPORT -- Nakatani aboard Baffert trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, has good post for toughest Cal-Cup race of the day, tough filly for tough task. DREAM OF SUMMER -- In good inner post for route Cal-Cup Matron outing, Smith scales Garcia trainee, could be elusive target here. Value Play -- ROYALLY CHOSEN

4th Race -- LUCKY J.H. -- Draws good rail post for route stakes, Espinoza on Gaines trainee for owner Harris Farms, J.H. Lucky for backers here? TIZMANIAN DEVIL -- Starts alongside top pick for Cal-Cup Juvenile, Flores astride Chatlos trainee, Devil in the challenge? Value Play -- THIS WIZARD ROCKS

5th Race -- RING OF FRIENDSHIP -- Has good post for turf marathon stakes, Stevens on Gallagher trainee, Friendship Of owners in Ring of winners circle? DEPUTY GOLD -- Draws alongside top pick for Cal-Cup Starter Handicap, Russell Baze comes south for big state-bred day of racing, this for Northern California kingpin conditioner Hollendorfer. Value Play -- FIRST DRAFT

6th Race -- EL DON -- Training at Hollypark, Stevens scales Jones trainee, in good post for sprint stakes distance. CHEIRON -- Espinoza on Mulhall trainee, starts from good outside box for Cal-Cup Sprint, fits this heat well. Value Play -- RIDE AND SHINE

7th Race -- WESTERN HEMISPHERE -- Has good post for downhill stakes, Nakatani atop Baffert trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, respect connections. ALPHABET KISSES -- Training at Hollypark, draws well for Cal-Cup Distaff run down-the-hill, Stevens scales Jones trainee here for owner Harris Farms. Value Play -- BOLD ROBERTA

8th Race -- TIZBUD -- Defending champ of Cal-Cup Classic returns here, Baze aboard Sadler trainee, need only be ready to repeat. CALKINS ROAD -- Another previous winner training at Hollypark for this, Douglas atop Shirreffs trainee, draws good post for route stakes centerpiece. Value Play -- COMMANDER'S FLAG

9th Race -- STAGE PLAYER -- Baze aboard Mullins trainee for owner Bone, in good spot for Cal-Cup Mile turf stakes, trip to winners circle depends on trip on course. SKYWALKER RED -- Improving runner draws good spot in grass stakes, Stevens scales Gallagher trainee, a factor throughout. Value Play -- HEMET THOUGHT

10th Race -- PLANNING SURPRISES -- Gets good inner post for nightcap two-turn stakes, Douglas atop Baffert trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, sans blinkers for this. HOLD THE GAME -- Starts alongside top pick for Cal-Cup Juvenile Fillies finale, hustling Pedroza aboard Moger, Jr., trainee, to Hold the trophy of The last Game on Cal-Cup Day? Value Play -- LADY TRUFFLES