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

Tuesday, May 7, 2002 | 8:33 a.m.

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

Wednesday's card

1st Race -- HOT GRIP - Kentucky Derby winner Espinoza aboard Dominguez trainee, draws good post for short sprint dash, hot rider could have Hot Grip on this. TWO THIRTY SEVEN - Part of owner Dutton-trained coupled entry with GOODBYE EARL, Desormeaux here, bug boy Krigger there, double diploma threat. Value Play -- ARIZONA BAY CAT

2nd Race -- DARK SORCERER - British-bred draws outside box on six-horse field, Gomez aboard Gaines trainee, respect connections here. SAPHIR INDIEN - Another British-bred draws inner post for turf route, Delahousaye sits Cassidy trainee, could get the trip in this. Value Play -- REGIMENT

3rd Race -- CHAMP'S GOLD - Part of owner Dutton-trained coupled entry with SNOWBALLS CHANCE, Espinoza here, Enriquez there, another double threat. LUZERN - Pincay aboard Harrington trainee, draws good post for short maiden dash, prompt start puts this one on graduation course. Value Play -- ONLY THE BEST

4th Race -- NO TORO - Flores scales Baffert trainee for owner Earnhardt, draws good inner post for full field at route distance, solid contender here. TAORMINA - Draws rail post, Pincay atop Becerra trainee, should get catbird trip in this starter allowance. Value Play -- INTERCOSPROBLEM

5th Race -- SIR TIFICATE - Hustling Espinoza on Abrams trainee, draws good post for sprint maiden/claimer, been knocking on diploma door. CALL ME AGAIN - Solis trys Glorioso trainee, disappointed with drop for a tag, sooner or later graduation will Call this one----Again? Value Play -- WILLY'S WAY

6th Race -- SHINING BRITELY - Draws good inner post for short turf dash, needs prompt start and clear sailing, Solis scales Sadler trainee here. RIVER BRIDGE - French-bred training at Santa Anita, draws rail box, Espinoza on Vienna trainee for owner Red Baron's Barn, LLC. Value Play -- VERA ICY LADY

7th Race -- MYSTERIOUS CAT - Draws good spot for allowance feature, Espinoza aobard West trainee, should get the victory trip here. PALMEIRO - Part of Moss-owned coupled entry with JIMMY Z, Pincay/Sadler here, Delahoussaye/McAnally there, two-for-one deal. Value Play -- MECKEME

8th Race -- BLUE WARRIOR - Berrio/Avila team here, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post, sans blinkers for nightcap sprint. WAR SURGEON - Desormeaux aboard Sise trainee, draws good outside post for maiden/claimer, Surgeon gets diploma to practice as winner here? Value Play -- SHAPIRO'S HERO