Ralph Siraco’s selections for Wednesdays races at Hollywood Park

Tuesday, April 22, 2003 | 9:32 a.m.

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

Wednesday's opening-day card

1st Race -- MIND OF GOLD -- Nakatani atop Baffert trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, draws good post for sprint opener, Gold on the Mind Of backers. WIRE TRANSFER -- Smith scales Shirreffs trainee for maiden/claimer, draws good box for distance as well, Transfer diploma through the Wire here? Value Play -- MEISING STAR

2nd Race -- VICTORY SONG -- Stevens astride one of two Baffert-trained entries, draws good spot for turf mile, winning tune playing here? DEVOTE -- The other Baffert trainee draws good box for claimer, Flores sits here for owner McIngvale, All-Baffert quinella here? Value Play -- AIMEES PRIDE

3rd Race -- WOLFMON -- Draws good post for short Cal-bred dash, Solis atop Dutton trainee, connections productive with youngster graduations. THIS CATS SMOKIN -- Hustling Pedroza on owner Ward trainee, needs to be quick from the blocks for juvenile maiden outing, need only live up to name. Value Play -- CLEARTALKER

4th Race -- NO SMOOCHIN -- Draws good post for full field of sprint maiden/claimers, Santa Anita champ Valenzuela on Peterson trainee, big kiss for victory. BREAKFAST AT T'S -- Almost a maiden by definition, Valdivia sits Litt trainee, speedster gets one more chance for diploma based on new scenery here. Value Play -- PERFECT MISS

5th Race -- EYES WIDE OPEN -- French-bred draws outside post for grass marathon, Nakatani on this one of twoDrysdale-trained entries, beware. THEATRE SCRIPT -- Solis scales Bray trainee for owner Sangster, fits this turf tour well, should drop into a catbird trip from rail slot. Value Play -- ZANAKAR

6th Race -- BLUE SETI -- Lands good spot in route claimer here, Martinez on O'Neill trainee, productive jockey-trainer combo in Inglewood. TWO THIRTY SEVEN -- Draws good inner post, new colony rider Lopez atop co-owner Dutton trainee, jockey known for putting horses into races early. Value Play -- LIBOR

7th Race -- KING ROBYN -- Solis scales Mullins-trained speedster, draws good post for opening day sprint stakes, go with the hot team. NOBLE SILENCE -- Valenquela aboard O'Neill trainee, draws outside box for turf dash feature, could make Noble noise to break Silence in winners circle. Value Play -- SPENSIVE

8th Race -- CHIEF'S SPOKESMAN -- Nakatani on owner Chapman trainee, needs prompt start from outer post in short nightcap dash, cagey jockey-trainer combo. DUBLIN GRADE -- Lopez on co-owner Dutton trainee for maiden/claiming finale, good huslting rider from rail post a big plus here, will Dublin make the Grade? Value Play -- QUEEN'S COUNSEL