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

Friday, Dec. 20, 2002 | 9:55 a.m.

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

Saturday's card

1st Race -- VIOLINS -- Training at Santa Anita, P. Val on Ellis trainee, no strains of Violins for sympathy if this one wins. SCI FI KIN -- Another who ships across town for this, hustling Pedroza returns to racing wars on Abrams trainee, needs crafty trip from rail post here. Value Play -- LAKE LOLLY

2nd Race -- YOUMAKEMETHORBABY -- One-of-two training at Santa Anita, Baze aboard Knapp trainee, draws good outside post for long one-turn claimer. CASTLEBRIGHT -- Also trains at Santa Antia, Valdivia atop Levine trainee, needs crafty trip from rail post at this distance. Value Play -- TWO FOUR DANCER

3rd Race -- WHOOPDDOO -- Hustling Espinoza atop Baffert trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post at sprint distance, ready to Whoop-d-field? PARTYTIME -- Irish-bred training at Santa Anita, Pedroza on Cassidy trainee, it will be Partytime for backers if this filly wins. Value Play -- REAL PARANOIDE

4th Race -- HUMMING CAT -- Smith scales Shirreffs trainee, draws good box for sprint distance, Cat might be Humming victory tune with diploma in tow. STATELY PAL -- Rollins astride Schiewe trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in this maiden/claimer, Pal states claim for graduation? Value Play -- TIME TO PLEASE

5th Race -- TATES CREEK -- P. Val aboard one-of-three uncoupled Frankel trainees, likes this lawn and packs powerful late punch, foes could be up the Creek. TOUT CHARMANT -- Draws good rail post for Grade II turf route, Solis scales one-of-two McAnally trainees for owner Stonerside Stable, tough mare. Value Play -- DOUBLE CAT

6th Race -- MAX POWER -- Hustling Espinoza aboard co-owner Dolan trainee, specialist at marathon starter allowance trips, should be the target again. NATES COLONY -- Training at Santa Anita, hustling Pedroza on main man Carava trainee, can make the trip with potent connections. Value Play -- FADE TO BLUE

7th Race -- SUDDEN GLORY -- Espinoza aboard Shirreffs trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, needs crafty trip here, Glory could be Sudden in this. BRAZIL NUT -- Baze aboard O'Neill trainee, should be a forward factor in this route claimer, must overcome outside post draw. Value Play -- SWEET STEPPER

8th Race -- KAFWAIN -- Runner-up in last to stablemate Vindication in Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Espinoza returns on Baffert trainee, set for catbird trip from rail box. TOCCET -- Supplemental entrant boasts top credentials, jockey Chavez has been at Hollypark all week with this as objective, throw out BC Juvenile effort. Value Play -- DOMESTIC DISPUTE

9th Race -- WHEATON ONE -- Hustling Pedroza aboard owner Ward trainee, draws good box for sprint nightcap, Wheaton wants this One for diploma. EL PRADO IN ACTION -- Draws good post for maiden/claimer finale, Enriquez astride Peterson trainee, graduation puts El Prado's backers In Action. Value Play -- FORLAAN