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

Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2002 | 8:39 a.m.

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

Thursday's card

1st Race -- SUNSET SERENADE -- Pincay aboard Gallagher trainee, well spotted in Cal-bred allowance opener, must overcome outside post in turf route. FREEDOM MEETING -- Part of Golden Eagle Farm-owned coupled entry with BARELY DAYLIGHT, Nakatani/Spawr here, Solis/Dominguez there, 2-for-1 deal. Value Play -- SHALINI

2nd Race -- BIKER'S SIS -- Pincay sits Mitchell trainee, needs crafty trip from outer post draw at the mile, respect connections. POLY OLE -- P. Val on Lage trainee, draws just inside top pick, should get a catbird trip in this. Value Play -- SONG OF BERNADETTE

3rd Race -- STOKIN COAL -- Draws good post for sprint maiden/claimer, P. Val atop Cerin trainee, Coal could be Stokin diploma here. SARAH'S BEAU -- Desormeaux astride Lewis trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post, productive connections here. Value Play -- CRYSTAL'S REGAL

4th Race -- RICO FIGHTER -- Brazilian-bred well spotted at this bottom level claimer, draws good post for sprint distance, Berrio/Avila team is a potent pair. CLEF NOTE -- Draws good box, Solis atop McAnally trainee, should get a good chance to topple these. Value Play -- MANLY VALENTINE

5th Race -- AT A BOY LUTHER -- Desormeaux scales this Hess trainee, draws good box for sprint claimer, has grinding style to win heats like this. GROOVEWITHTHEBEAN -- Solis astride Sherman trainee, needs crafty ride from inner post draw, Groovewiththe-victory means no beans tonight. Value Play -- A MAJOR PLEASURE

6th Race -- ATLANTIC OCEAN -- Smith scales this one-of-two Baffert-trained 'hidden entry' for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, draws good box, Atlantic wins at Pacific? SMALL TOWN GIRL -- Draws good rail post in mile maiden outing, Flores scheduled to ride the 'other' Baffert trainee, big Town diploma at hand? Value Play -- ROMANTICISM

7th Race -- RUN RATE -- Pincay stays on this one-of-two Ellis-trained 'hidden entry', draws good spot in mile feature, sitting on a winning effort. LA TIZONA -- Draws good rail box, Smith on Mandella trainee, should get a catbird trip in this. Value Play -- CEE'S ELEGANCE

8th Race -- STOLE MY HEART -- Bug boy Krigger lands Mandella trainee for owner Bacharach, draws good post for sprint finale, Heart may steal graduation. COSMIC HIGH -- Draws extreme outside post in maiden/claiming nightcap, Pincay aboard Sticka trainee, High marks here gains diploma. Value Play -- BRONX