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

Wednesday, July 16, 2003 | 10:02 a.m.

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

Thursday's card

1st Race -- AWESOME LADY -- Daws rail post for maiden dash opener, Flores aboard, needs prompt start from rail post here. SOLAR FIRE -- Espinoza atop, draws good box for turf sprint, Solar to Fire for diploma. Value Play -- KING'S CHARMER.

2nd Race -- DEVLISH -- Speedster draws good box for short sprint, hustling Pedroza to help, a forward factor throughout. STRETCH VELVET -- Draws rail post for claimer, Krone aboard, Velvet to Stretch a victory in sprint? Value Play -- JADE VIXEN.

3rd Race -- LUCKY PULPIT -- Baze aboard here, draws good post for turf sprint, bred to be a good one. TIZNUF -- Another with good breeding, draws alongside top pick for sod maiden dash, Valdivia here. Value Play -- MINISTER ERIC.

4th Race -- COMPANY OF MARY -- Martinez on speedster, draws good post for sprint claimer, a factor throughout. HEAT OF THE MOMENT -- Draws rail box, Berrio aboard, needs prompt start and clean trip in this sprint claimer. Value Play -- HAGERSTOWN.

5th Race -- HONEYMOON BABE -- Draws good rail post in turf mile, Flores aboard, should get catbird trip here. OURWHISTLEBRITCHES -- Baze aboard, draws a good box for full field of claimers at sod two-tuner, yells and whistles for victory. Value Play -- NATIVE HEARTBEAT.

6th Race -- AUSSIE GIRL -- Has been tough at the meet, Martinez again, should run another goodie. TWO FOUR DANCER -- Almeida atop here, should be forward factor in this, good spot in route claimer. Value Play -- CANTALOUPE.

7th Race -- ICEE CHEASPEAKE -- Draws good box for turf mile feature, Flores astride, good spot for action. ARDUM RELAUNCH -- Draws outside post in small field of six in allowance/claimer, Espinoza here, bred to like the lawn. Value Play -- CHINA PRINCESS.

8th Race -- CRASH MCGOON -- Valdivia aboard, draws good post for route finale, McGoon either ready to Crash or graduate. SWIFT HERO -- Draws good rail post, Krone atop for maiden/claimer, if gelding is Swift enough then Hero of nightcap for diploma. Value Play -- DELUSIONAL LAD.