Ralph Siraco’s selections for Thursday’s Del Mar selections

Wednesday, July 31, 2002 | 9:18 a.m.

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

Thursday's card

1st Race -- HOT WEATHER -- Draws outside box in six-pack field for sprint opener, P. Val aboard Dominguez trainee, victory depends on Weather he's Hot or not. TEMPLAR KNIGHT -- Resurgent Nakatani on Baker trainee, draws inner post for starter allowance, Knight to king here? Value Play -- SHOWYOURCLASS

2nd Race -- ASONG FOR BILLY -- Draws middle post for route maiden/claimer, hustling Puglisi aboard Aguirre trainee, sans blinkers for this. MACON COUNTY -- Solis sits Gallagher trainee, needs crafty trip from outer post here, should be square price for Macon winner. Value Play -- CLASSIC FORM

3rd Race -- HAMMER IT HOME -- Baze aboard Baffert trainee for owner Pegram, draws good box for sprint distance, respect connections. AT A BOY LUTHER -- Draws middle post for claimer, Desormeaux aboard Hess trainee, jockey-trainer combo are productive at seaside. Value Play -- FLEETING TERM

4th Race -- A REEL TIZZY -- Draws good box in full field of young maiden/claimers at short dash, Nakatani on Moger, Jr., trainee, Tizzy makes foes diploma dizzy. THOUGHTFUL GIRL -- Hustling Pedroza on main man Carava trainee, needs to be quick from the blocks in outer post, Girl graduation from Thoughtful ride. Value Play -- SOVEREIGN MISS

5th Race -- NO TORO -- Flores sits here on one-of-two Baffert-trained 'hidden entry,' draws good middle post for sprint claimer, Toro victory -- No? LOU'S EXPECTATION -- Draws alongside top pick, Solis scales co-owner Mullins trainee, well spotted here. Value Play -- DEBONAIR JOE

6th Race -- QUICK TO PLEASE -- P. Val on Frankel trainee for owner Juddmonte Farms, draws good middle post for full field at turf route, potent connections--always. LAST TANGO -- Irish-bred draws good box in allowance/claimer, Flores aboard Gallagher trainee, Tango may go from Last to first here. Value Play -- RUN RATE

7th Race -- MIGHTY DAVID -- Scratched from weekend sprint stakes for this spot, P. Val returns on Paasch trainee, fits this heat much better. LOOKN EAST -- Nakatani astride Cerin trainee, draws alongside top pick for sprint feature, good spot for action. Value Play -- CODED MESSAGE

8th Race -- PASTER'S BABY -- Draws good post for nightcap maiden/claimer, P. Val on Vienna trainee, bred well enough to graduate here. BOLD AIRMAN -- Draws outer post in Cal-bred sprint, Solis atop Lage trainee, adds blinkers for this diploma attempt. Value Play -- SIBERIAN STYLE