Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

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

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

Thursday's card

1st Race -- ATOURATOURA -- Draws good inner post for route opener, Valenzuela on co-owner Cerin trainee, backers hope for a winning A-tour-a-of-the-track-a. HARVEST FESTIVAL -- Espinoza on Hendricks trainee, needs crafty trip from outside box in six-horse starter allowance outing, adds blinkers for this. Value Play -- WAGON TRAIN

2nd Race -- DEVIL'S HORN -- Newcomer Lopez atop Burnison trainee, draws good inner box for short turf dash, pop and go here. ISLANDER -- Runner loves this trip, Espinoza aboard co-owner Hollendorfer trainee, Northern California's top trainer ships to Hollypark for season. Value Play -- QUINTON'S GOLD

3rd Race -- CLEVER MISS CAPER -- Draws good inner post for route claimer, Nakatani astride Becerra trainee, mare fits this group well. RIVER VALLEY LASS -- Training at Santa Anita, Valenzuela atop Spawr trainee for owners Craig, needs crafty trip from post draw here. Value Play -- AUSSIE GIRL

4th Race -- ALPENFEST -- Part of Steinmann-owned and Harrington-trained coupled entry with HAPPY YODELER, Espinoza here, Jauregui there, double diploma threat. EVENTFULL -- Draws rail post for short maiden dash, Nakatani aboard Chapman trainee, Eventfull graduation will be family affair as another Chapman owns. Value Play -- TRIESTE'S HONOR

5th Race -- DAM BUSTIN -- Draws good middle post in full field at sprint distance, Valenzuela aboard Mrquez trainee for owners Anson, dangerous team here. BOSTON'S SHUTTLE -- Pedroza on Mitchell trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post, fits well at this level claimer. Value Play -- GHOST MEMO

6th Race -- BECKHAM -- Draws good inner post for full field of maiden/claiming routers, Valdivia on Gallagher trainee, set for graduation trip. ABOVE THE STORM -- Newcomer Johnson atop Ward trainee, draws good box as well, adds blinkers for this diploma run, Above The Storm of foes? Value Play -- PASSIONFORCASHIN

7th Race -- ROYAL GEM -- Valdivia aboard this Frankel trainee, draws good post for turf route feature, connections always tough. SLEW THE RED -- Garcia atop Drysdale trainee, should go for the lead from post draw, one of two for a tag in allowance/claimer. Value Play -- BAYOU THE MOON

8th Race -- HIDDEN IMAGE -- Pedroza takes first call on Hendricks trainee for owners Wygod, needs to be quick from the blocks with outside post, beware. MISTRICK -- Lopez aboard owner Dutton trainee, draw good post for short maiden/claimer dash, Mis to trick foes with graduation run? Value Play -- SAVED

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