Ralph Siraco’s Santa Anita selections

Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005 | 10:07 a.m.

Thursday's card

1st Race -- PRELUDE TO PUDDLES -- Draws good box for maiden special weight sprint, Douglas atop Drysdale trainee for owner Papiano, sans blinkers for this diploma try. GIVE ME SUGAR -- Draws alongside top pick for dash opener, Smith scales co-owner Headley trainee, sweet graduation for Sugar? Value Play -- MILK RIVER

2nd Race -- HALEAKALA SUNRISE -- Valenzuela atop Ellis trainee for owner Hughes, has good post in small five-horse mile field, afternoon victory for Sunrise. RAN FOR THE DOUGH -- Sorenson atop Gallagher trainee, starts alongside top pick for two-turn allowance/claimer, backers hope she gets the Dough here. Value Play -- DOLLY WELLS

3rd Race -- MANGO ESCAPADE -- P. Val aboard young Stute trainee, in good box for sprint claimer, Escapade escapes foes here? KOURI JILL -- Draws alongside top pick for tag dash, Douglas atop Spawr trainee, respect connections here. Value Play -- PLAYGIRL

4th Race -- MERCEDES DANCER -- Smith scales Hess trainee, needs crafty trip from post draw in starter allowance mile, trip is everything here. BLUE CAY -- Has good inner post in full field of turf mile runners, Douglas aboard Bell trainee, chance to trip out here. Value Play -- NOBLE PLAN

5th Race -- DAILY FORECAST -- On rail in mile starter allowance outing, Gomez scales Mullins trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, Forecast for Daily victory here? QUIET RUMOR -- Startss alongside top pick for two-turn run, Fusilier on Baffert trainee for owner Pegram, respect connections here as well. Value Play -- SKIPPING COURT

6th Race -- IN THE CLUTCH -- Draws good post in full field of starter allowance runners, Espinoza aboard Mandella trainee for owner Bacharach, barn having good meet. NOTHING BUT TRUTH -- Draws well in 7-panel outing, Flores astride co-owner Headley trainee, Truth is Nothing But a victory? Value Play -- ANTHONY EATS

7th Race -- KATDOGAWN -- British-bred training at Hollypark, Douglas aboard Dollace trainee, well placed in turf feature for come-from-behind win. GOOD STUDENT -- Argentine-bred on in grass mile stakes, Baze aboard McAnally trainee, a factor throughout. Value Play -- PETIONVILLE INDEED

8th Race -- CHARADE EVENT -- Has good middle post for two-turn maiden/claimer, Desormeaux on Hess trainee, good spot for graduation. CAT A COLD EYE -- Starts alongside top pick in sophomore mile, Sorenson aboard Gallagher trainee, adds blinkers for this diploma try. Value Play -- CAPERS TOWN