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

Thursday, Aug. 29, 2002 | 9:16 a.m.

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

Friday's card

1st Race -- GARDEN IN THE RAIN -- French-bred draws good inner post for turf route opener, Valdivia aboard Dollace trainee, Garden In The winners circle? ALINGA -- Irish-bred ships in from training center, Gomez sits de Seroux trainee, a factor in claimer. Value Play -- MARY MOSCOW

2nd Race -- FLEET FOOT -- Delahoussaye on Frankel trainee for owner Juddmonte Farms, needs crafty trip from rail post at sprint distance. MIGHTY DAVID -- Speedy sprinter draws good spot in allowance/claimer, Desormeaux on Paasch trainee, should be in the mix throughout. Value Play -- CRAFTY C.T.

3rd Race -- STORMY SPIRIT -- Delahoussaye on Hendricks trainee, needs crafty trip from outer post at mile distance, good spot for action. YOUMAKEMETHORBABY -- Draws good post for this, Enriquez on Silva trainee, due for a good trip. Value Play -- ST. EULALIA

4th Race -- ONEEXCESSIVENITE -- Flores aboard Baffert trainee for owner Pegram, needs prompt start from post draw in short maiden dash, solid connections. LAST KISS -- Draws good box for Cal-bred outing, Pincay aboard Spawr trainee, another tough tandem. Value Play -- FALG LADY B

5th Race -- MODERNIST -- Desormeaux scales Baffert trainee for owners Wygod, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in Cal-bred sprint, solid combo. R MEADOW LUCK -- Draws outside post in allowance outing, Nakatani on Baker trainee, should sit with clear sailing here. Value Play -- BETTOR ROYALTY

6th Race -- SIX HITTER -- P. Val on Frankel trainee for owner Gann, needs to overcome outer post draw in turf route, Hitter could hit hard here. SAPHIR INDIEN -- British-bred draws good box in claimer, Gomez atop Cassidy trainee, good spot for action. Value Play -- SEEINGISBELIEVING

7th Race -- PRINTEMPS -- Chilean-bred mare draws good post for mile feature in small field, Delahoussaye on McAnally trainee, should sit the trip. NETHERLAND -- Argentine-bred also lands good spot, Smith on Baffert trainee for co-owner Pegram, a now-or-never type of deal. Value Play -- COLLECT CALL

8th Race -- REIGNING STORM -- Draws good outer post for sprint maiden/claimer, P. Val on one-of-two O'Neill-trained 'hidden entry', a Storm brewing for graduation? THE SETH BOMBER -- Hustling Pedroza on Ward trainee, draws good box for this spot, Seth ready to lay the diploma Bomber here? Value Play -- ROCKETFUL