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

Wednesday, Nov. 27, 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 -- GRADE NINE -- One-of-three in the field training at Santa Anita, P. Val atop Truman trainee, Nine might make the Grade in opener. DANCEOFTHEFLAGS -- Draws good spot for sprint claimer, Enriquez on Stute trainee, adds blinkers for this trip. Value Play -- SOUP N' CRACKERS

2nd Race -- COME BACK RONNIE -- Training at Santa Anita, Nakatani on young Canani trainee for owner Englander, fits this heat well. DR. PARK -- Pincay aboard Sadler trainee, draws good post for turf route claimer, should get a good trip in this. Value Play -- I'VE DECIDED

3rd Race -- SCHOOL OF THOUGHT -- Draws good middle post for sprint maiden/claimer, P. Val sits Sise trainee, solid team for graduation try. CAZADOTES -- Draws outside box, hustling Espinoza atop Sadler trainee for owner Granja Vista Del Rio Stable, Caza-dotes-diploma? Value Play -- BLUSHING CIEL

4th Race -- YOUMAKEMETHORBABY -- Draws good box for route claimer, Espinoza on Knapp trainee, Thor-make-me-winner-baby? TWO FOUR DANCER -- Nakatani on Holmes trainee, draws good post for catbird trip, sans blinkers for this outing. Value Play -- CANDITA

5th Race -- NETHERLAND -- Argentine-bred draws rail post for marathone turf feature, Flores astride Baffert trainee for owner Pegram, solid choice here. SNOWFLAKE -- Irish-bred draws good spot, Smith scales McAnally trainee for owner Stonerside Stable, solid connections here, too. Value Play -- JULIE JALOUSE

6th Race -- FARAH LOVE -- P. Val atop O'Neill trainee, needs crafty trip from inner post at 7-panel distance, good spot for action. RATHER BE WILD -- Draws alongside top pick for claimer, Smith sits Greely trainee, Wild might Rather Be in winners circle. Value Play -- MILAGRA

7th Race -- LUGNY -- French-bred draws good spot here, Flores aboard one of two Canani-trained entries, edge in tough heat. MARINE -- British-bred likes the turf mile trip, P. Val on Frankel trainee for owner Juddmonte Farms, connections solid as they come. Value Play -- ZANAPOUR

8th Race -- ITS ALWAYS BUSY -- Training at Santa Anita, draws good middle post in full field at sprint distance, Pedroza on Carava trainee, sans blinkers for this trip. RULING MONARCH -- Draws inner post for holiday fianle, Lovato on Hendricks trainee, Monarch may be Ruling graduation from winners circle. Value Play -- MAX RAJ