Ralph Siraco’s selections for Wednesday’s races at Del Mar

Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2002 | 10:15 a.m.

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

Wednesday's card

1st Race -- WESTERNIZE -- Draws good spot for mile turf opener, Stevens scales Stute trainee for owner Hughes, Western-diploma-nize? ALASHIR'S WORLD -- Draws alongside top pick, Solis sits Dutton trainee, World is at Alashir's feet with graduation here. Value Play -- MAJOR IDEA

2nd Race -- WILLY'S WAY -- Solis scales co-owner Dutton trainee, draws good spot for mile claimer, where there is a Willy's there is a Way. CASEY'S CASTLE -- Draws alongside top pick, P. Val atop Mitchell trainee, good spot for action. Value Play -- NICK N COURT

3rd Race -- ALL THE GEARS -- Part of Thoroughbred Corporation-owned coupled entry with EDITOR IN CHIEF, Espinoza/Shirreffs here, Gomez/Mulhall there, double threat. CAVEOLIN -- Scratched from Del Mar Handicap on Sunday for this spot, P. Val on co-owner Glenny trainee, lands easier spot in allowace/claiming turf mile. Value Play -- GOOD COP BAD COP

4th Race -- MR. REED -- Hustling Pedroza on main man Carava trainee, needs good early position from inner post, Mr. Reed only need to be solid steed here. PRIME CANDIDATE -- P. Val sits owner Knapp trainee, draws good post for full field of claimers at sprint distance, should be a factor here. Value Play -- SIWARD

5th Race -- LUCKY IN LOVE -- Solis scales Headley trainee for owner Mercedes Stables, LLC, draws good post for Cal-bred sprint, In Love with Lucky diploma here. ARMS CONTROL -- Draws good box for maiden outing, Smith atop Gaines trainee for Harris Farms and company, may Control graduation fate. Value Play -- SECRET TALES

6th Race -- HOPSO -- Draws good rail post for full field at turf route distance, Smith astride Ward trainee, could get the winnning trip in here. ONETRICKPHONEY -- Solis aboard Gallagher trainee, needs crafty trip from post draws, the One-trick-for-him-is-not-to-be-phoney. Value Play -- TEMPLAR KNIGHT

7th Race -- SERVALINE -- Smith scales one of two Baffert-trained entries, draws good post for sprint stakes, Servaline to serve up a victory here? AMBER HILLS -- P. Val on Moger, Jr., trainee, draws outer box for Cal-bred feature, should be part of the mix throughout. Value Play -- ALPINE SINGER

8th Race -- A REAL KING -- Draws good post for sprint fianle, Berrio aboard Stute trianee, cap and gown in nightcap for King or turns into A Real dud. GOLDEN DOOR -- Nakatani astride Hess trainee, draws good outer box for maiden/calimer, diploma Door may open for Golden here. Value Play -- FIGHT FOR FREEDOM