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

Wednesday, April 23, 2003 | 9:13 a.m.

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

Thursday's card

1st Race -- BENEFICIAL BARTOK -- Draws good post for short maiden dash, Bautista atop Ward trainee, adds blinkers for this diploma try. SWISS SKIER -- Draws inner box for Cal-bred opener, Berrio aboard Avila trainee, also adds hood for this grauation attempt. Value Play -- JUNGFRAU

2nd Race -- AMERICAN SYSTEM -- Draws outside box in small five-horse turf dash, Valdivia astride Barrera trainee for owners Jones, winning System is first under wire. MASTER BELT -- New Zealand-bred one-of-three in for a tag, Smith sits Bray trainee, fits this allowance/claimer well. Value Play -- ARSEN

3rd Race -- CRAFTY MADNESS -- Draws good rail post for route starter allowance, Flores aboard Cerin trainee, Crafty trip provides Madness for backers. SPEED TO SPEED -- P. Val atop Mitchell trainee, draws alongside top pick, may have the Speed to spare and Speed To victory here. Value Play -- CONTINENTAL WINE

4th Race -- DANCES LIKE VELVET -- Smith scales Hendricks trainee, draws good spot for route claimer, smooth trip Like Velvet could lead to Dances in winners circle. WEHO -- Draws alongside top pick for maiden/claimer, P. Val aboard Jory trainee, adds blinkers for this diploma try. Value Play -- MY KIMBERLEE ANNE

5th Race -- BINGO CARD -- Draws good outside post for sprint claimer, Smith on Spawr trainee, adds blinkers for this outing, Bingo! DOTAGE -- Draws good box for distance, Espinoza atop owner Harrington trainee, fits this group well. Value Play -- ROYAL FOOTAGE

6th Race -- NLOTSABUTTER -- Baze aboard young Stute trainee, draws good box for short maiden dash, sans blinkers for this. ZEE BEST -- Johnson sits Sadler trainee for owner Oakcrest Stable, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post, may be Zee Best. Value Play -- DANCEWITHMEWESLEY

7th Race -- FILM CRITC -- Draws outside box in five-horse feature field, hustling Espinoza on Shirreffs trainee, flick review positive for the Flim Critic? FAIR BIANCA -- Training at Santa Anita, draws good rail post for route allowance outing, P. Val takes this Gonzalez trainee for owners McCaffery & Toffan. Value Play -- CUNNING PLAY

8th Race -- TRIBUNAL RUN -- Nakatani atop Chapman-owned Chapman trainee, must be quick from the blocks with outside post in nightcap dash, adds blinkers. FREE RENT -- Part of Dutton-owned and Dutton-trained coupled entry with QUEENOFLUV, new arrival Lopez here, bet the Rent for Free victory here? Value Play -- DREAM OF AN ACT