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

Friday, Aug. 29, 2003 | 9:13 a.m.

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

1st Race -- BOLD AMERICAN -- Daws good outside post for sprint opener, Valdivia atop Frankel trainee for owner Juddmonte Farms, solid connections. VIRGINIA MISS -- Solis scales for trainer Paasch, needs prompt start and clean trip from inner post for maiden dash, Miss to hit graduation here? Value Play -- MISTY WATER

2nd Race -- DEVOTE -- P. Val aboard Baffert trainee for owner McIngvale, fits this claiming level well, a factor for it all. BOLD RHYTHM -- Draws good rail post for mile tag run, Flores aboard Marlow trainee, could trip out here. Value Play -- STYLISH ACCOUNT

3rd Race -- DIAMOND FURY -- Smith scales one of two Baffert-trained entries, draws good post for dash distance, Diamond in the rough? CONSECRATE -- The other Baffert horse gets Flores aboard, draws a good box as well, all-Baffert maiden quinella here? Value Play -- COURAGEOUS KING

4th Race -- SPICY STUFF -- Draws good post for mile claimer, Baze aboard Baffert trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, has the right Stuff. GOOD MEETING -- Draws alongside top pick, Flores astride Hendricks trainee, Good Meeting for backers is in winners circle. Value Play -- DERECK

5th Race -- DEADLY WEAPON -- Draws good middle post for full field of turf dash maidens, Smith sits Hess trainee, conditioner finally broke through win barrier. LOUP DE LOUP -- Baze on Puhich trainee, needs prompt start from inner post, Loup De Loup-s field for diploma here? Value Play -- SIGNATURE SWEEP

6th Race -- DIAMOND TRICK -- Solis scales Mandella trainee, draws good box for sprint claimer, Diamond trip is the Trick for victory. BOONESBORO BEACH -- Krone atop Cenicola trainee, draws good box for the trip, fits this heat well. Value Play -- RAGIN TEX

7th Race -- STRENGTH WITHIN -- Nakatani on Proctor trainee for owner Glen Hill Farm, draws good post for turf mile, stable usually connects with a seaside winner. KEWEN -- Draws alongside top pick, Baze aboard young Mandella trainee, Kewin could win. Value Play -- FLIRT WITH FORTUNE

8th Race -- VICTORY U.S.A. -- Smith scales Baffert trainee, could be the most imprssive seaside first-year winner, deserves to be the favorite here. HOLLYWOOD STORY -- Another young filly with promising future, P. Val aboard Shirreffs trainee, hails from solid barn as well. Value Play -- SOLAR FIRE

9th Race -- PANCHO'S PRIDE -- Nakatani on co-owner Chapman trainee, draws inner post for full field of maiden/claiming sprinters, enough Pride to grab diploma? LITTLE CELEBRITY -- Espinoza on Puype trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post at dash distance, graduation reason for big celebration. Value Play -- SLIVER REVIEW