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

Thursday, May 16, 2002 | 10:22 a.m.

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

Friday's card

1st Race -- ROBERTO'S SHOW - Draws good spot for sprint opener, Valdivia on Sise trainee, likes this oval. HAMMER IT HOME - Flores aboard Baffert trainee for owner Pegram, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post, well spotted in claimer. Value Play -- HASTA LAVISTA BABY

2nd Race -- ROMANZO - Solis atop Greenman trainee, draws well in small field at dash distance, Greenman-owned means family affair for victory. ALWAYS GAME - Bug boy Krigger now on co-owner Dutton trainee, nice win at the trip over the course already, repeat Always possible when Game. Value Play -- DR. HILL

3rd Race -- MISSIONAIRESS - Training at Santa Anita, Valdivia sits Ellis trainee, competitive at this level and trip. IONIZER - Bug boy Trujillo atop Hofmans trainee, draws good outer post in sprint claimer, good spot for action. Value Play -- SOUTHERLY FLOW

4th Race -- PERFECTLY PRETTY - Delahoussaye aboard Hendricks trainee for owners Wygod, draws good box for sprint distance, solid connections. FAX BLITZ - Bug boy Trujillo scales Gonzalez trainee for owners McCaffery & Toffan, draws good spot in Cal-bred maiden outing, Fax diploma? Value Play -- BARELY DAYLIGHT

5th Race -- LEAVE US LEAP - Draws good inner post in full field for turf mile, Gomez aboard Frankel trainee for owner Gann, connections always dangerous. ALL THE GEARS - Draws alongside top pick, Delahoussaye atop Shirreffs trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, adds blinkers for this. Value Play -- IRISH WARRIOR

6th Race -- TWINING COLORS - Draws good box in full field of maiden/claiming sprinters, Flores aboard Jackson trainee, bred to win early. GINGER ROO - Solis scales Dominguez trainee, needs prompt start from rail post or risks being buried on inside here, foes may Roo the day. Value Play -- SLEW THE PRINCESS

7th Race -- TREASURED NOTE - Draws good post for starter allowance sprint, Pincay aboard Stute trainee, Note victory for Treasured backers? MARGEDS DANDY - Draws alongside top pick, P. Val on Gutierrez trainee, should be a forward factor throughout. Value Play -- MIGHTY MAX

8th Race -- FREE THOUGHTS - P. Val aboard Sise trainee, draws good outer post for maiden/claiming sprint, Thoughts are graduation could be Free finale. TONIC WATER - Hustling Pedroza on main man Carava trainee, needs prompt start from rail post, sans blinkers could be Tonic for Water diploma. Value Play -- ILLEGIBLE