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

Friday, Aug. 22, 2003 | 9:27 a.m.

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

1st Race -- EXPLOITATION -- Smith scales Baffert trainee for owners Bob & Beverly Lewis, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail box at dash distance, cap & gown? CARDINALLI -- Draws alongside top pick in sprint opener, P. Val sits French trainee, forward trip may produce graduation from maiden. Value Play -- POSSESSION

2nd Race -- BIG DECISION -- P. Val atop Machowsky trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, draws good post for sprint maiden outing, Decision is Big graduation? CYCLOTRON -- Draws alongside top pick, Krone on co-owner Headley trainee, also co-owned by Las Vegas Sun proprietor Greenspun. Value Play -- EL VEDADO

3rd Race -- VANILLA SKY -- Irish-bred part of Krikwood-owned coupled entry with VALENTINE DANCER, Flores/McAnally here, Desormeaux/Lewis there, duo threat. WOODLASS -- Nakatani astride Dollace trainee for Las Vegan owner Lanni, draws well for turf mile handicap, Wood-lass-to-first? Value Play -- BONNIE BRIGHTON

4th Race -- WILD ROAR -- Desormeaux aboard Hess trainee, needs crafty trip from inner post at 7-panel distance, fits this tag level. GOT THE MESSAGE -- Hustling Pedroza aboard Spawr trainee, draws good box for claiming trip, backers hope foes have Got The Message. Value Play -- MAJESTERICAL

5th Race -- INTERLOPER -- Draws good outside post for sprint maiden/claimer, P. Val aboard Baffert trainee for owners Bob & Beverly Lewis, solid connections. SUMPTER -- Berrio atop owner Moreno trainee, draws good box for sprint distance, Sumpter stumping for diploma. Value Play -- SHARP LOOKING MAN

6th Race -- JOYFUL MEEETING -- Hustling Espinoza aboard Sadler trainee, draws good post for sprint starter allowance, Joyful Meeting of backers is in winners circle. KISSY KAT -- Part of Aguirre-owned & trained coupled entry with CHILL PHILL, Puglisi here, Almeida there, double threat for victory. Value Play -- NADIRA

7th Race -- GREENHILLS -- British-bred draws good inner post for route claimer, Krone aboard Gaines trainee, greenbacks for backers with Greenhill victory. POTRILORD -- Argentine-bred fits this tag level well, P. Val astride Vienna trainee, must overcome outside post here. Value Play -- FOREIGN ACCENT

8th Race -- MADAME PIETRA -- P. Val atop Zucker trainee, tough mare at Grade III stakes competiton, a solid factor in sprint feature. CEE'S ELEGANCE -- Espinoza on O'Neill trainee, also fits this handicap field well, needs crafty trip from rail post at dash distance though. Value Play -- SECRET LIAISON

9th Race -- SKIP TO THE BEAT -- Draws good outside box for dash trip, Nakatani on co-owner Chapman trainee, foes may have to Skip better To The Beat to beat Skip. RASHARD LAMAR -- Caught late in last, P. Val returns on Mitchell trainee, may be ellusive target in nightcap maiden/claiming sprint. Value Play -- BARTENDING MIKE