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

Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2002 | 8:55 a.m.

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

Wednesday's card

1st Race -- CHARMER BARON -- Draws good spot for starter allowance opener, Pincay on Warren trainee for Johnson clan, Baron in winners circle? MARTINBLESTME -- Hustling Espinoza aboard Baffert trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post, gambling gods blest Martin? Value Play -- WEEKEND POW WOW

2nd Race -- PASSIONFORANNA -- Gomez sits Hofmans trainee, needs crafty trip from rail post, Anna's passion for graduation here? STORM BIJOU -- Draws good outside post for maiden/claiming sprint, P. Val on O'Neill trainee, Bijou could Storm home with diploma. Value Play -- PROUD GAL

3rd Race -- PERFECT WOMAN -- Nakatani aboard Sise trainee, draws good box for Cal-bred sprint, should sit the trip here. DARLIN BARBIE -- Smith scales Sherman trainee, draws good spot for allowance outing, cagey connections here. Value Play -- GRANT MARTY A WISH

4th Race -- FAX BLITZ -- Smith scales Gonzalez trainee for owners McCaffery & Toffan, must overcome outside post in mile outing, Pacific Classic victory team. GASLAMP GIRL -- Draws good inner post for maiden/claimer, Nakatani on Abrams trainee, could get the graduation trip in this. Value Play -- MOSCOW NIGHTS

5th Race -- GAMBLIN CAPER -- Draws good box for 7-panel baby race, Berrio aboard Avila trainee, this jockey-trainer team capable of pulling off a Gamblin Caper. CHARMED MONEY -- Draws extreme outside box for maiden/claimer, bug boy Krigger aboard co-owner Dutton trainee, solid connections. Value Play -- CRUISENRIGHTALONG

6th Race --RED VINTAGE -- British-bred draws good middle post for sprint claimer, Pincay aboard Machowsky trainee, good spot for action. ALMUNDIN -- P. Val atop Koriner trainee, draws outside box here, should be a factor throughout in this. Value Play -- REQUESTO

7th Race -- TRADITION ROCKS -- Flores lands Baffert trainee for owners Wygod, draws good post and good spot in mile turf feature, team Tradition is winners. NOBLE MASTERPIECE -- Draws good box in allowance outing, Pincay aboard Hess trainee, set to sit the trip in this. Value Play -- RUSHIN' TO ALTAR

8th Race -- RAISE EXPECTATIONS -- Desormeaux scales Lewis trainee for owner Harris Farms, Inc., needs crafty trip from post draw in nightcap maiden/claimer. COCONUT MANGO -- P. Val on Stute trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in Cal-bred sprint, first quarter-mile tells the graduation tale. Value Play -- KLEM