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

Thursday, Aug. 15, 2002 | 8:48 a.m.

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

Friday's card

1st Race -- POLITICAL STORM -- Nakatani on Gaines trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in sprint opener, Storm might be Political-ly correct here. KELM -- Draws alongside top pick in maiden/claimer, Jauregui aboard Cenicola trainee, first-time gelding here. Value Play -- PANTHER QUICK

2nd Race -- SHE ROCKS -- Draws good rail post in turf route, Gomez atop young Dollace trainee, Irish-bred could rock this field. ROYAL VISIONARY -- Scratched on Wednesday for this spot, Vergara on Abrams trainee, better suited here. Value Play -- SECRET INDEX

3rd Race -- SIBERIAN STYLE -- P. Val on Hendricks trainee, draws good post for maiden/claiming sprint, graduation Style for Siberian backers here? MAMONE -- Keeps trying to leave maiden ranks, Pincay stays with Spawr trainee, could be a Mamone day. Value Play -- GRAND VISIONS

4th Race -- MAGNIFICENT MAX -- Desormeaux aboard Lewis trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in sprint, rider-trainer combo productive pair. TEMPLAR KNIGHT -- Nakatani on Baker trainee, draws alongside top pick in starter allowance, Templar may turn day to Knight victory. Value Play -- JOXER

5th Race -- SMALL TOWN GIRL -- Draws good outside post for sprint maiden outing, Flores aboard Baffert trainee for owner Pegram, Girl may get big Town graduation. LAST KISS -- Pincay aboard Spawr trainee, needs to be quick from the blocks from rail post in Cal-bred outing, Kiss may Last for diploma. Value Play -- MADAM GENERAL

6th Race -- CAPO DI CAPO -- Speedster returns to races in tough heat, Nakatani on French trainee, adds blinkers for this. STORMY JACK -- Delahoussaye aboard Baffert trainee for allowance/claiming sprint, likes this seaside track, horse-for-course angle. Value Play -- IMPRESSIVE GRADES

7th Race -- DREAM MACHINE -- French-bred draws good post in turf mile feature, Nakatani scales Canani trainee, Machine could be ready for Dream trip. RIDLEY -- Irish-bred astride Gallagher trainee, needs crafty trip from post draw, good spot for action. Value Play -- SUNKOSI

8th Race -- JOHNNY OLA -- Draws outer post for full field in maiden/claiming sprint nightcap, Nakatani scheduled to ride this Carava trainee, Ola diploma? SNOWBALLS CHANCE -- Draws good box for Cal-bred finale, bug boy Krigger on Cerin trainee, first-time gelding here. Value Play -- SIZZLIN HOT SUMMER