Ralph Siraco’s Santa Anita selections

Thursday, Jan. 20, 2005 | 9:40 a.m.

Friday's card

1st Race -- ESPY -- Smith scales Mandella trainee, draws inner box for allowance sprint outing, fits this heat well. SPARKLING FOREST -- Starts alongside top pick for dash opener, P. Val atop Baffert trainee, respect connections. Value Play -- DOMINIQUES DARLING

2nd Race -- CROWNING VICTORY -- Has good outside box for maiden special weight sprint, Fusilier on Sadler trainee for owners Craig, set for Crowning graduation Victory here? SHIFT GEARS -- Court atop Baffert trainee for owners Bob & Beverly Lewis, has inner post for Cal-bred sophomore dash, diploma ahead if he can Shift Gears against foes. Value Play -- COLLEGE GRADUATE

3rd Race -- BLAZING BARTOK -- Gomez aboard Carava trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post at dash distance, good spot for action. MEMOGRAM -- Starts alongside top pick in sprint claimer, bug boy Cohen on West trainee, barns sends them out fit. Value Play -- SUSPICIOUS CAPER

4th Race -- CABO'S DAWN -- In good outer post for sprint maiden special weight outing, Guidry aboard Gallagher trainee, diploma Dawn for Cabo's backers. NEW CLOUD -- Gets inner box for Cal-bred sophomore dash, Smith scales Stute trainee, backers on Cloud with New graduation. Value Play -- ONLY ONE WAY

5th Race -- MONSIEUR BOULANGER -- British-bred starts from middle post in full field of grass mile claimers, Gomez aboard Carava trainee, good spot for action. JUNIPER KRIS -- Stevens scales Mandella trainee, in good box for two-turn turf tag run, could trip out in this spot. Value Play -- VALIANT EDGE

6th Race -- WALK THE TALK -- Stevens on Biancone trainee, must overcome outside post in route maiden special weight outing, need only Talk The Walk to graduate. CHARMING EILEEN -- Has good post for two-turn filly sophomore run, Fusilier on one of two Baffert entries in this race, adds blinkers for this diploma try. Value Play -- HOLIDAY GOLD

7th Race -- BUCKLAND MANOR -- Has good box in small five-horse grass feature, Douglas aboard Gonzalez trainee for owners McCaffery & Toffan, well- placed for victory. INESPERADO -- French-bred starts from inner post for two-turn turf allowance run, Desormeaux on Frankel-trained entry, will be rolling late. Value Play -- AY CARAMBA

8th Race -- COLORBYNUMBERS -- Has good outer post in full field of maiden/claiming sprinters, Douglas atop Shirreffs trainee, the number's up for a Color-ful graduation? TOWN HONEY -- Starts alongside top pick in sophomore filly nightcap dash, Court atop Lewis trainee, sans blinkers for this diploma try. Value Play -- FOOLISH MONARCH