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

Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2002 | 8:43 a.m.

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

Thursday's card

1st Race -- VINO CLASSICO -- Draws good rail post for turf route opener, hustling Espinoza on Sadler trainee for owner Oakcrest Stable, gets the graduation trip. DOG DAYS -- Stevens returns on one of two Zucker-trained entries here, likes the green, may provide some green for Dog Days of summer. Value Play -- SLEWPING

2nd Race -- JUTTERBUG JAN -- Solis astride co-owner Sise trainee, draws good rail post for mile maiden/claimer, backers could provlde Jitterbug for Jan graduation. SPEED TO SPEED -- Part of Thoroughbred Corporation-owned coupled entry with DREAM DAY, Espinoza/Shirreffs here, Smith/Baffert there, double threat. Value Play -- CLASSIC CHATTER

3rd Race -- QUICK TO PLEASE -- Draws good post in turf allowance/claimer, P. Val on Frankel trainee for owner Juddmonte Farms, need we say more? MAGIC MISSION -- British-bred filly draws good spot here, Nakatani astride Drysdale trainee, sans blinkers for this trip. Value Play -- COVINCING

4th Race -- CALCUPBOUND -- Nakatani now on Hines trainee, lands good spot for level and distance, will be rolling late. TEJAN -- Espinoza fits this Shirreffs trainee well for owners Thoroughbred Corporation, draws good box for mile claimer, beware. Value Play -- YAZZERO

5th Race -- GOOD MEETING -- Draws good inner post for full field at turf mile, Valdivia on Hendricks trainee, Meeting subject to get Good trip here. NOBLE KINSMAN -- Part of Gomez-owned and Baker-trained coupled entry with SCOTTY WOTTY, P. Val here, Nakatani there, 2-for-1 good deal in this. Value Play -- RON CHERRY

6th Race -- AIN'T IT SWEEP -- Draws good box for short allowance/claiming dash, Nakatani scales co-owner Chapman trainee, jockey-trainer team solid combination. HONEST ANSWER -- Another Espinoza/Baffert/Thoroughbred Corporation combo, draws well here, if he's good enough you'll get Honest Answer. Value Play -- RED HOT KITTY

7th Race -- L'EMERAUDE -- French-bred filly lands good spot in turf marathon feature, Desormeaux on Frankel trainee, the pick in competitive heat. RACENE -- Espinoza aboard Sahadi trainee, should get a good trip in this long run, a factor throughout. Value Play -- POLAIRE

8th Race -- GOLDEN HANDCUFFS -- Bug boy Krigger on co-owner Dutton trainee, draws good post for Cal-bred sprint, Golden to put Handcuffs on foes for diploma? IAM ALL PUMPED UP -- Draws alongside top pick in maiden/claiming finale, Baze aboard Becerra trainee, sans blinkers for this graduation try. Value Play -- SHEZA GLADIATOR