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

Thursday, Aug. 14, 2003 | 9:57 a.m.

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

1st Race -- WINSOME DAME -- Solis scales Headley trainee for owner Stronach Stables, needs prompt start and clean trip from inner post at sod dash, potent team. JUNIPER SPRINGS -- P. Val atop Mullins trainee for owner Englander, draws good box for turf sprint opener, tough graduation Springs diploma? Value Play -- BALTIC NATIONS

2nd Race -- YOUNG PIONEER -- Draws good post for sprint maiden/claimer, Valenzuela atop Machowsky trainee for owners Friendly, Pioneer graduation here? ZOOLU NIGHTS -- Draws good outside box for sprint distance, Pedroza on West trainee, adds blinkers for this diploma try. Value Play -- VARIETY ACT

3rd Race -- IMPRESSIVE GRADES -- Valenzuela on Zucker trainee, likes this seaside track, returns in tough spot but might be ready off bench. RADIATA -- Another who returns here, Almeida on Barrera trainee for owners Jones, only one in the field up for a tag in allowance/claimer. Value Play -- RIDE AND SHINE

4th Race -- BUST YOUR BUBBLE -- Espinoza on Puype trainee, draws good box for turf route, should get a good trip here. DEVOTE -- Draws good inner post for sod claimer, P. Val atop Baffert trainee for owner McIngvale, respect connections. Value Play -- UNLEASH THE POWER

5th Race -- DINNERATHEPALMS -- Draws good spot in route claimer, Valenzuela aboard Eurton trainee, hard knocker at this level. GOT THE MESSAGE -- Hustling Pedroza on Spawr trainee, fits this heat well, but, must overcome outer post draw here. Value Play -- DEATH TRAPPE

6th Race -- DESERT PEARLS -- Smith scales Baffert trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post at sprint trip, beware. TRICKS HER -- Draws good outside post for sprint allowance outing, P. Val astride Hofmans trainee, should get a good spot to trip out here. Value Play -- VOODOO'S SISTER

7th Race -- SOUD -- Has really turned it around since breaking maiden, Nakatani fits this guy well for trainer Drysdale, gets tough test in grass feature. SUMITAS -- German-bred draws good spot alongside top pick, Solis scales Frankel trainee for owner Tanaka, dangerous connections. Value Play -- LIKE A HERO

8th Race -- HAPPY YODELER -- Pedroza on Garcia trainee, draws good post for dash nightcap, has been knocking on diploma door. TIZWAR -- Draws alongside top pick, Valenzuela aboard Mitchell trainee, maiden/claimer sprint could be a Tiz-graduation-War. Value Play -- GOLD LAD