Ralph Siraco’s selections for Thursday’s races at Hollywood Park

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002 | 9:27 a.m.

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

Thursday's card

1st Race -- SKIP TO THE BEAT -- Draws good post for sprint opener, Pincay aboard one of two Chapman entries, Skip To The Beat of graduation here? GAELIC LADD -- Solis scales the other Chapman horse, draws rail for maiden/claimer, could be a Chapman quinella here. Value Play -- MOMENT'S CHAMP

2nd Race -- REGAL MONARCH -- Smith astride owner Ward trainee, draws good box for 7-panel maiden/claimer, has been knocking on the diploma door. STRIKING STORM -- Solis scales McAnally trainee, draws outer post, Storm could be Striking for graduation in this. Value Play -- SMOKIN BULL

3rd Race -- GOLD SUGAR -- Pincay aboard Spawr trainee, draws good spot here, jockey-trainer team tough tandem. SWEET OLYMPIO -- Training at Santa Anita, P. Val on Truman trainee, realistically spotted for competitive run. Value Play -- DANCEOFTHEFLAGS

4th Race -- BOB'S LADY -- Hustling Espinoza on Sadler trainee, draws good spot here, grass is preferred surface for filly's best races. EC LADY -- British-bred training at Santa Anita, Smith astride Ellis trainee, could be an all-Lady quinella. Value Play -- FIRST DRAFT

5th Race -- CORONA CLASSIC -- Draws inner post for Cal-bred sprint, Vergara on Stute trainee, good spot for action. BETTOR ROYALTY -- Training at Santa Anita, Nakatani on this Carava trainee, needs crafty trip from rail post in allowance/claimer. Value Play -- GRAND VISIONS

6th Race -- MANLY VALENTINE -- Hard knocking gelding looks to repeat, Martinez atop owner O'Neill trainee, should be in the mix at the end. FLYLIKETHEWIND -- P. Val sits Goodin trainee, draws good post for route claimer, a factor throughout. Value Play -- PRIME CANDIDATE

7th Race -- ONETRICKPHONEY -- Flores aboard Gallagher trainee, draws good post for turf route feature, well spotted in this. EL NUKI -- P. Val on Cerin trainee, good inner box for Cal-bred allowance outing, could get catbird trip here. Value Play -- FANTASTIC GROOM

8th Race -- BLUE SETI -- Draws good rail post for route finale, Pincay aboard this O'Neill trainee, been knocking on diploma door. BARTENDING MIKE -- Hustling Espinoza on Hofmans trainee, needs crafty trip in maiden/claimer nightcap for cap and gown, happy hour for Mike? Value Play -- SURESCORE