Ralph Siraco’s selections for Thursday’s races at Del Mar

Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2002 | 8:45 a.m.

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

Thursday's card

1st Race -- MIDNIGHT MANGO -- Draws good box for sprint opener, Pincay on Glatt trainee, Midnight victory in daylight here. DOUBLE SHOT LATTE -- Solis astride Greenman trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from inner post, Latte has good Shot of starting early Double. Value Play -- STORMY SPIRIT

2nd Race -- DAVID COPPERFIELD -- Hustling Espinoza on Shirreffs trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, certain to be in leading flight throughout. SIGFRETO -- Draws good box for turf route, Garcia on Peterson trainee, has a victory over the course. Value Play -- ADMINNIESTRATOR

3rd Race -- FUNNY MEETING -- P. Val on Dominguez trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, draws good post for sprint claimer, Meeting Funny in winners circle? MOUNTAIN FLAG -- Draws alongside top pick in Cal-bred outing, Flores aboard Canani trainee, Mountain could Flag down victory. Value Play -- MEMORI

4th Race -- THOUGHTFUL GIRL -- Hustling Pedroza on main man Carava trainee, draws good box for sprint maiden/claimer, backers hope Girl is a Thoughtful winner. BEARLY IRISH -- Nakatani on Moger, Jr., trainee, draws outside box for Cal-bred outing, adds blinkers for this. Value Play -- SWINGIN SWISS

5th Race -- DIGNIFLITE -- Desormeaux on co-owner Hollendorfer trainee, needs crafty trip from outer post in mile claimer, good spot for action. DR. HILL -- Draws just inside top pick, first time gelding here, Berrio/Avila team are productive combination. Value Play -- MANLY VALENTINE

6th Race -- PICKLED BAY -- Almeida aboard West trainee, draws good post for full field at turf mile, good spot for action. WESTERN STRANGER -- Draws good inner post in claimer, Gomez on Paasch trainee, could get the trip here. Value Play -- STERLING WISDOM

7th Race -- PIE N BURGER -- Draws good spot here, Pincay aboard Baffert trainee, should be a forward factor all the way in mile feature. BRING HOME THEGOLD -- Nakatani on Shirreffs trainee for owners Craig, must overcome outside post in allowance/claimer, might live up to namesake. Value Play -- TOP HIT

8th Race -- COLD CALL COWBOY -- Solis scales Dominguez trainee, draws inner post in full field of maiden/claiming sprinters, Call Cowboy a Cold stone graduate? FAB DO -- Ships up from Hollypark for this nightcap, Rollins aboard Jory trainee, diploma Do for Fab? Value Play -- WHINING JACOB