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

Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002 | 8:50 a.m.

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

Friday's card

1st Race -- SAXONY -- Chavez takes Yuelapwan trainee, draws good box for sprint opener, rider tuning up for Toccet ride. VOLADERA -- Hustling Espinoza atop Sadler trainee for starter allowance, draws alongside top pick, connections are solid. Value Play -- CHICKA HERMOSA

2nd Race -- GRAND PRIZE WINNER -- Espinoza on Lynch trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, draws good box for short turf dash, need only live up to namesake. DYNA DA WYNA -- P. Val atop Machowsky trainee for maiden outing, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post, Dyna Da diploma here? Value Play -- RIO ROSA

3rd Race -- TRACEMARK -- Lands rail post in route allowance outing for comeback, P. Val on Dollace trainee, likes this track. SIGFRETO -- Training at Santa Anita, Valdivia sits Peterson trainee, will appreciate lively early fractions. Value Play -- HIGH WIRE ACT

4th Race -- KNIGHT RAIDER -- Draws good outside post for sprint claimer, Baze aboard this Marquez trainee for owners Anson, solid connections here. VALIANT VISION -- Vergara returns on Salih trainee, competitive at this level, needs crafty trip from inner post. Value Play -- ARMED 'N CRAFTY

5th Race -- GEORGE BAILEY -- P. Val on Aguirre trainee, likes this course and is well spotted for solid effort, must overcome outside post at turf route distance. LIBERTY RUN -- Baze aboard Baffert trainee for owner Stonerside Stable, draws just inside top pick so this one needs crafty trip too. Value Play -- MALONE

6th Race -- CHAMP'S GOLD -- P. Val aboard co-owner Dutton trainee, draws good post for 7-panel maiden/claimer, Champ's been knocking on diploma door. BLUSHING CIEL -- Berrio astride this Avila trainee, draws good box for Cal-bred outing, adds blinkers for this. Value Play -- MR. ROADWAY

7th Race -- RAPIDOUGH -- Solis scales Sise trainee for short turf dash feature, draws good inner post for the trip, most Rapid-gets-the-dough for backers. TEEBAR -- Draws alongside top pick for allowance/claimer, Chavez on Lynch trainee, sans blinkers for this outing. Value Play -- SAPHIR INDIEN

8th Race -- WOKING -- Draws good rail post for route nightcap, Martinez on O'Neill trainee, jockey-trainer combo have been hot at the meet. INTERCOSPROBLEM -- P. Val on Bean trainee for bottom-level claimer, should be a factor throughout in this finale, may be no-problem-for-Intercos victory. Value Play -- THE CHANG