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

Friday, June 28, 2002 | 9:56 a.m.

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

Saturday's card

1st Race -- CODED MESSAGE -- Draws good post for opening turf dash, Solis aboard Aguirre trainee, the Message here is to win. LOOKN EAST -- P. Val astride Cerin trainee, draws outside box in small allowance/claiming field, Lookn toward winners circle. Value Play -- RAZIK

2nd Race -- MIDTERM HABIT -- Pincay aboard Jory trainee, draws good post for maiden/claiming dash, backers hope Midterm is in Habit to win. LASTING IMAGE -- Vergara on co-owner Chapman trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post, graduation could be Lasting Image here. Value Play -- PINE FOR JAVA

3rd Race -- BIG SHAKESPEARE -- Training at Santa Anita, Pincay on Spawr trainee, well spotted by dangerous team. MANLY VALENTINE -- Draws good box for long one-turn claimer, Gomez scales Carava trainee, should be rolling late. Value Play -- CRAFTY DUTCHMAN

4th Race -- HOLT -- P. Val aboard McAnally trainee for owner Stonerside Stable, LLC, draws good post for maiden outing, puts Holt to diploma search. SPITFIRE MAN -- Draws middle post for sprint distance, Solis scales Headley trainee for owner Stronach Stables, adds blinkers for this. Value Play -- TASTE OF PARADISE

5th Race -- LAMMAS -- Irish-bred draws good inner post for turf route, Espinoza on one of two Shirreffs-trained entries, could get the trip here. TURKISH PRIZE -- Training at Santa Anita, hard knocker draws good rail post, P. Val aboard Machowsky trainee. Value Play -- RIVERSIDE

6th Race -- GRADE NINE -- Bug boy Krigger astride Cerin trainee, draws good box for sprint distance, if he makes the Grade Nine will be enough to win this. MINING PLAN -- Solis scales Dutton trainee, draws outside post for claimer, the Plan is to root out a victory for Mining. Value Play -- MY ALTERNATE

7th Race -- ASTRA -- Leading mare in turf division, Desormeaux back aboard Deseroux trainee for owner Paulson Living Trust, takes on tough foes. KARSAVINA -- Irish-bred is one of two Frankel-trained entries, Espinoza on for Grade I turf route, dangerous team. Value Play -- BLUSHING BRIDE

8th Race -- WELL KNOWN ACT -- Draws good post for sprint stater allowance, P. Val on Baltas trainee, adds blinkers for this. IRISH MULDOON -- Speedster draws outer post, Valdivia aboard Hansen trainee for owner Englander, sans blinkers for this. Value Play -- BOYLE HEIGHTS KID

9th Race -- SEVEN'S WILD -- Draws good post for turf dash, Desormeaux atop Hess trainee, Wild graduation for finale? DREAM DAY -- Baze aboard Baffert trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, needs prompt start and clean trip for best chance, diploma the Dream. Value Play -- CHARM A SONG