Ralph’s Siraco’s selections for Thursday’s races at Hollywood Park

Wednesday, July 9, 2003 | 10:39 a.m.

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

Thursday's card

1st Race -- STASH THE BOOTS -- Hustling Pedroza aboard young Canani trainee, draws good middle post in 7-panel opener, Boots to Stash The diploma here. ENKIDU -- Draws alongside top pick for maiden/claimer, Smith sits Cardenas trainee, En-kid-U-not graduation is objective. Value Play -- RIVER ADVENTURE

2nd Race -- BAYOU THE MOON -- Draws outside box in small five-horse field at turf mile distance, Solis scales Mandella trainee for owners Allred & Hubbard, beware. SOUD -- Nakatani on Drysdale trainee for owner Shadwell Farm, has come around to be solid competitor, fits this sod allowance/claimer. Value Play -- TROMPOLINO

3rd Race -- CASTLEBRIGHT -- Draws good middle post in sprint claimer, Pedroza on owner Hollendorfer trainee, respect connections in tag-grab-bag. KIPPER'S KITTEN -- Training at Santa Anita, Solis scales Carava trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post. Value Play -- ROSIE IN THE SKY

4th Race -- ABSOLUTE NECTAR -- P. Val atop O'Neill trainee, draws good box for maiden/claimer sprint, matches top jockey and trainer at meeting. EXPLOITIVE -- Draws outside post for short dash, Lovato on Sahadi trainee, rider has put over some bombs recently. Value Play -- DEAR DELILAH

5th Race -- THEGRLFROMYESTRDAY -- Berrio atop Hendricks trainee, draws good post for 7-panel claimer, well spotted for winning try. GO YOYO -- P. Val aboard Mitchell trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post here, jockey-trainer team productive pair. Value Play -- JOYS WORLD

6th Race -- F J'S PACE -- Speedster draws rail box in short turf dash, Baze aboard O'Neill trainee, hard knocking gelding will take some beating here. SHADOW OF ILLINOIS -- Training at Santa Anita, Solis scales Saavedra trainee, has run big over this course and trip before. Value Play -- HURRICANE SMOKE

7th Race -- DHAMMA -- Draws good rail post for route feature, P. Val atop Frankel trainee, take connections lightly at your own risk. VICTORY ENCOUNTER -- Draws alongside top pick in allowance/claimer, Smith sits Sadler trainee, makes Victory Encounter here? Value Play -- LA PERFECTA

8th Race -- GEMS OF WISDOM -- Draws middle post in full field of maidens at turf route distance, Baze aboard Becerra trainee, Wisdom diploma is Gems Of backers. FLYING HEART -- Solis scales Sahadi trainee, draws extreme outside post, must overcome post draw in two-turn sod finale to graduate. Value Play -- MAMAISWAR