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

Wednesday, May 8, 2002 | 8:22 a.m.

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

Thursday's card

1st Race -- MARIA'S FRIEND - Draws good rail post in route opener, bug boy Trujillo on Dominguez trainee, Friend for Maria's backers? PRINCESS O'HARA - Draws good box for maiden/claimer, Rollins aboard Harrington-owned & trained filly, O'Hara could be Princess of this group. Value Play -- HEAVENLY REIGN

2nd Race -- MABEL KENT - Delahoussaye in saddle for trainer Jory, draws good inner post for route allowance outing, should get the trip here. THE HEEBSTER - Desormeaux again on Hess trainee, needs crafty trip from post draw, fits this Cal-bred field well. Value Play -- FRANKIE EYELASHES

3rd Race -- FAME'S PLEASURE - Draws good post for full field of babies going short dash distance, Desormeaux on owner Dutton trainee, solid connections. STAR NINE - Baze aboard Duncan trainee, part of entry with also-eligible ELITE NINE, one Nine may be good enough, two Nines twice as tough? Value Play -- ALPINE SINGER

4th Race -- FT. WASHINGTON - Draws good spot in long one-turn claimer, Solis aboard Sise trainee, potent jockey-trainer combo. CHILL IN PARIS - Bug boy Trujillo on Lewis trainee, draws alongside top pick here, good spot for action. Value Play -- WATER SPORTS

5th Race -- INDIAHOMA - Desormeaux stays with Hess trainee, draws good rail post for turf route, been knocking on score door. beware. FRIENDLY WAGER - Well place here, bug boy Krigger aboard Mitchell trainee, a factor throughout. Value Play -- IRISH NIP

6th Race -- SAINT BOOM - Derby winner Espinoza scales Dominguez trainee, draws good middle post for sprint distance, devine diploma eruption here. CATCH THE QUEEN - Draws outer post in maiden/calimer, Rollins astride Mullins trainee, cagey combo for graduation looming? Value Play -- DELLA

7th Race -- SNOWFLAKE - Irish-bred filly daws good post for turf route feature, McCarron scales McAnally trainee, respect connections in tough heat. L'EMERAUDE - Draws alongside top pick in allowance/claimer, Desormeaux aboard Frankel trainee for owner Amerman Racing, LLC., beware. Value Play -- CARBON COPY

8th Race -- NIKAWA - Gelding going well right now, Solis back aboard Truman trainee, well spotted for repeat victory. EXPRESS MEMO - Draws good spot in sprint claiming finale, Berrio aboard Avila trainee, jockey-trainer combo are productive pair. Value Play -- NO CURFEW