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

Thursday, July 25, 2002 | 9:07 a.m.

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

Friday's card

1st Race -- KING LA BOO -- P. Val aboard co-owner Marlow trainee, draws good box for sprint opener, La Boo may start King for the day. HEIGHTENEDAWARENES -- Draws good post for Cal-bred claimer, Pincay aboard Spawr trainee, tough team with hard knocking gelding. Value Play -- JIM'S RELAUNCH

2nd Race -- EASY GRADES -- Desormeaux now on West trainee, back on grass for this, should make the Grades Easy here. PENNE DANCER -- Irish-bred draws outside post in allowance turf route, Nakatani on Machowsky trainee, rider hungry to get back to business. Value Play -- DAILY SPORT

3rd Race -- AIM FOR THE MOON -- Nakatani on this Spawr trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, needs clean break from inner post in sprint, graduation is the Aim here. GOLD SCAMMER -- Draws good box for maiden/claimer, Flores on Ellis trainee for Jay Em Ess Stable, diploma no Scammer for the Gold here. Value Play -- JITTERBUG JAN

4th Race -- BELIEVE IN MAGIC -- P. Val aboard Baffert trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in sprint maiden/claimer, blinkers on helps cause. MISS HENNESSY -- Draws good box for graduation try, Solis scales Machowsky trainee, bred to be quick and win early. Value Play -- BLONDE AMBITION

5th Race -- SONG OF BERNADETTE -- Smith scales one-of-two O'Neill-trained 'hidden entry' here, needs prompt start from inner post at 6-panels, well placed. SWEET OLYMPIO -- Solis astride one-of-two Carava-trained 'hidden entry', draws outer box for claimer, victory would be Sweet for backers. Value Play -- TOBY'S BABY

6th Race -- MOVING'S GOLD -- Draws good spot in full field at turf route distance, Delahoussaye atop Garcia trainee, should be decent price in wide open affair. RAFID -- Draws good inner post for claimer, Desormeaux takes miss Mulhall trainee, should get a good trip from starting position. Value Play -- AZURE CIEL

7th Race -- AMBER HILLS -- P. Val on Moger, Jr., trainee, draws good box for juvenile fillies feature dash, should be in the mix throughout. SOUVENIR CROWN -- Draws middle post for Cal-Bred stakes, Smith astride Lynch trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, solid connections here. Value Play -- LITTLE BIT A SWISS

8th Race -- MANDAN -- Pincay aboard Spawr trainee, needs crafty trip from post draw in route nightcap, jockey-trainer combo is tough team. CLASSIC CHRYS -- Draws alongside top pick, Nakatani here for owner-trainer Chapman, this jockey-trainer team has also been productive duo. Value Play -- FUHRY