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

Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003 | 8:48 a.m.

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

Wednesday's card

1st Race -- EXPLOITED -- Stevens scales Stute trainee for owner Hughes, draws good post for sprint opener, Expoited foes produces diploma here. SOMETHING FIERCE -- Draws middle post for maiden/claiming dash, Solis sits Sherman trainee, graduates if he lives up to namesake. Value Play -- FORTUNE CATCHER

2nd Race -- MISS TROPICS -- Draws outside post for sprint claimer, Solis scales Headley trainee, fits beach atmosphere well. STRETCH VELVET -- Espinoza on Hines trainee, draws good box in well spotted outing, big Stretch run makes victory as smooth as Velvet? Value Play -- PAMMY N' CAMI

3rd Race -- NEW WATER -- Valenzuela atop Gaines trainee here, needs crafty trip from post draw in sod two-turner, well bred for grass graduation. MAMAISWAR -- Draws good post for turf route Cal-bred maiden, Espinoza on young Stute trainee, Is-war declared for Mama diploma? Value Play -- CLIPPIN AVENUE

4th Race -- LOVE THAT LION -- Draws good middle post for sprint claimer, Valenzuelal atop Monteleone for owner Las Vegan Schiappa, set to get Lion's share? SEVEN JILLION -- Pedroza on one of two Carava-trained hidden entries, draws well for this, good spot for action. Value Play -- FOUR CORNERS

5th Race -- HARBOUR CROSSING -- Draws good inner post for route claimer, Puglisi on West trainee, well spotted for action here. VOWEL PLAY -- Draws alongside top pick, Pedroza aboard main man Carava trainee, could get the trip here. Value Play -- DIXIE THRILL

6th Race -- AKRON AVENUE -- Krone aboard Marlow trainee, draws good box for sprint outing, seems to like seaside track. HEAT OF THE MOMENT -- Draws well for claimer, Berrio on this Spawr trainee, jockey-trainer duo are dangerous. Value Play -- HAGERSTOWN

7th Race -- SOUTHERN OASIS -- Well spotted in grass stakes here, Stevens scales one of three McAnally-trained entries, Oasis for backers is winners circle. ARABIC SONG -- Irish-bred draws alongside top pick, Nakatani on one of two Drysdale entrants, uncoulped quinella time. Value Play -- INNIT

8th Race -- MODERN DESIGN -- Krone on Lynch trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, needs crafty trip from inner post for sprint nightcap, Modern graduation? MISS DOUBLE DOTS -- Draws good post for maiden/claiming dash, Valdivia on Gallagher trainee, Double effort Dots diploma for Miss. Value Play -- GONE SKATING