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

Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2003 | 9:09 a.m.

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

1st Race -- CYBER SLEW -- Draws good middle post for Cal-bred sprint opener, Smith sits O'Neill trainee, adds blinkers for this diploma try. GO BABY ICE -- Flores aboard Jones trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from inner post at maiden dash distance, Baby to Ice foes Go to windows? Value Play -- FRESAL

2nd Race -- PINE FOR JAVA -- Solis scales co-owner Hollendorfer trainee, likes the seaside session, Java to lay the Pine For victory? HEZAJEWEL -- Espinoza on Cardenas trainee, draws good rail post for mile claimer, may get a Jewel of a trip. Value Play -- WESWARD STAR

3rd Race -- GASSAN ROCK -- Draws good post for full field of maiden/claimers at dash distance, P. Val on Mitchell trainee, Rock has enough Gass-an-graduation? ALWAYS ALERT -- Draws alongside top pick, Desormeaux on Lewis trainee for owners Bob & Beverly Lewis, Alert connections Always dangerous. Value Play -- AMERICAN HOPE

4th Race -- THEGRLFROMYESTRDAY -- Draws good post for sprint claimer, Espinoza on Hendricks trainee, sans blinkers for this outing. GO YOYO -- P. Val on Machowsky trainee, draws good post for trip, no Yoyo trip to Go for victory here. Value Play -- PRINCESS NICOLETTE

5th Race -- GETOUTTAMYKITCHEN -- Stevens scales Mullins trainee, draws good post for full field of sprinting maiden/claimers, diploma cookin' here? SHE'S MOVIN ON -- Smith astride Baffert trainee for owner Pegram, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post, may be Movin out of maiden ranks. Value Play -- SONI DEB

6th Race -- LAST TANGO -- Irish-bred draws good sod spot here, Desormeaux atop Cerin trainee, Last-to-first Tango-to-winners circle. KERNITRE -- British-bred draws alongside top pick, Solis scales Paasch trainee, well spotted in turf route claimer. Value Play -- LAND TAX

7th Race -- INDIAN BLANKET -- Draws good rail post for mile feature, Smith astride Baffert trainee, adds blinkers for this outing. SOPHISTICATEDBLUFF -- Draws alongside top pick, Valdivia on Ellis Trainee, Sophisticated-run-provides-no-bluff for victory. Value Play -- SOUTH APPLE

8th Race -- CALL SIGN -- Baze aboard Hofmans trainee, draws good middle post for full field at two-turn nightcap, Call for diploma may be Sign of graduation. SIR TIFICATE -- Has had many opportunities to graduate, draws good rail post for mile maiden/claimer, Desormeaux trys on Abrams trainee. Value Play -- ATIRADOR