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

Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2003 | 9:17 a.m.

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

Wednesday's card

1st Race -- HOT HOUSE -- Espinoza on Cardenas trainee, needs crafty trip in mile maiden/caliming opener, House Hot enough to graduate? LORA'S DREAM -- Brazilian-bred training at Santa Anita, draws alongside top pick, P. Val atop Lobo trainee for diploma try. Value Play -- CHELSEA'S DANCER

2nd Race -- VENTURE CAT -- Valenzuela aboard Knapp trainee, draws outside box in small six-horse mile field, Cat to Venture another win. UNUSUAL GLORY -- Draws alongside top pick, Solis scales Eurton trainee, Unusual victory will produce Glory for backers. Value Play -- OBERWALD

3rd Race -- SEMORAN'S DECISION -- Draws good outside post for sprint outing, P. Val aboard one of two Mullins-trained horses in this race, dangerous connections. WILD CARD DECK -- Flores atop Lynch trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, draws good rail post for two-turn starter allowance run, could trip out here. Value Play -- RETIREES THREE

4th Race -- DRAMATIC CHANCE -- Espinoza aboard Gallagher trainee, draws good post for sprint maiden/claimer, has Dramatic Chance to graduate here. FREE RENT -- Puglisi on owner Dutton trainee, draws well for maiden dash, foes to pay no Free Rent for graduation. Value Play -- MISSICE

5th Race -- STREET BAND -- Pedroza on West trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from inner post at sprint distance, diamond lane tune here. DOUBLE QUACK -- Draws good outer post for claiming dash, Espinoza astride Garcia trainee, good spot for action. Value Play -- SOTOGRANDE

6th Race -- HIGHLY TEMPTING -- Newly claimed runner scratched from Sunday race for this spot, Valenzuela aboard O'Neill trainee, Highly Tempting bet. SHADOW RAIDER -- Nakatani on co-owner Hollendorfer trainee, draws good rail post for mile allowance/claimer, takes shortest trip to victory? Value Play -- SHARPSTER

7th Race -- KING ROBYN -- Solis scales Mullins-trained horse, loves the short turf trips, goes for the green in 'Green Flash' feature. SWISS LAKE -- Part of Thoroughbred Corporation-owned coupled entry with ECSTATIC, Flores/Mulhall here, Smith/Baffert there, double threat here. Value Play -- ECHO EDDIE

8th Race -- DANCES ON CLOUDS -- Solis scales Mayberry trainee, draws good post for 7-panel nightcap, filly Clouds foes for Dances to winners circle. KEEP'EM ROLLING -- Valenzuela aboard Sise trainee, draws inner box for maiden/claimer finale, if rider can Keep'em Rolling then graduation forthcoming. Value Play -- GOLD GARTERS