Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

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

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

Friday's card -- first post 7:05 p.m.

1st Race -- APPLE JUICE TEA -- Draws good outside post for 7-panel opener, Puglisi atop Aguirre trainee, productive jockey-trainer combo. KNOCKOUT CROWN -- Training at Santa Anita, Flores aboard Carava trainee for starter allowance outing, Knockout run will Crown winner. Value Play -- DANCIN DOLL

2nd Race -- WEST COAST GEE GEE -- Draws good box for short turf dash, Baze aboard O'Neill trainee, adds blinkers for this outing. OURWHISTLERBRITCHES -- Training at Santa Anita, P. Val sits Cerin trainee, draws good inner post for short claimer. Value Play -- THEGRLFROMYESTRDAY

3rd Race -- ALEXINE -- Argentine-bred draws middle post for Grade III route, Nakatani atop Mandella trainee, edge in tough fit. STYLER -- Smith scales Shirreffs trainee for owners Moss, should get catbird trip from inner post for stakes outing, could win with Style-r. Value Play -- RHIANA

4th Race -- HIDDEN PATH -- Draws good box for full field of maidens at sprint distance, Espinoza on owner Singh trainee, Path to winners circle could be Hidden. DECISIONAL -- Baze aboard Sadler trainee, draws good box as well for maiden/claimer, Decisional effort needed for diploma. Value Play -- SEATTLE SAVITAR

5th Race -- AIR'NSEA -- Draws good post for long one-turn sprint claimer, Enriquez on Garcia trainee, good spot for action. SPECIAL WILLY -- Training at Santa Anita, draws alongside top pick for bottom-level tag, Pedroza on main man Carava trainee. Value Play -- BOLD MIND

6th Race -- STEALING MEMORIES -- Hustling Espinoza on co-owner Sise trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from inner post, Memories Stealing diploma here? SKY REALITY -- Johnson aboard Zucker trainee, must be quick from the blocks with rail post at sprint run, maiden/claimer victory is Reality or pie in the Sky. Value Play -- MILADY TUDOR

7th Race -- STAGE PLAYER -- Solis scales co-owner Dutton trainee, needs to be quick starter from outer post at turf dash distance, early position tells victory tale. LOVE THAT LION -- Training at Santa Anita, draws good inner post for dash claimer, Pedroza on Carava trainee means beware. Value Play -- WAY TO THE TOP

8th Race -- FLY TO THE WIRE -- Stevens scales Bacorn trainee, draws good box for sprint allowance outing, only needs to Fly To The Wire to win. REVELLO -- Draws good outside post here, Solis astride Mandella trainee, another who should be in the mix throughout. Value Play -- TALARA

9th Race -- CHADWICKS WELL -- Irish-bred well spotted for maiden breaker, P. Val back aboard Gaines trainee, gets the trip for nightcap cap and gown? GOLDEN EMBERS -- Draws good box for route turf finale, Stevens scales Barrera trainee for owners Jones, Golden graduation burns backers Embers. Value Play -- RIGHT PROOF

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