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

Thursday, July 17, 2003 | 9:31 a.m.

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

Friday's card

1st Race -- AETHA -- Hustling Pedroza on co-owner Kitchingman trainee, lands good spot at this bottom-level claimer, totes top weight. ROAD TO KISSES -- Draws good post for route opener, Nuesch atop Sierra trainee, sans blinkers for this outing. Value Play -- IRISH KATE

2nd Race -- TARGET SHOOT -- Hustling Espinoza aboard Gonzalez trainee for owners McCaffery & Toffan, adds blinkers for this, must overcome outside post. BLAIRS GENERAL -- Draws good rail post for maiden turf route outing, Baze aboard one-of-two O'Neill-trained 'hidden entry', General graduation? Value Play -- VICTOR'S GEM

3rd Race -- CAPTAIN'S SURPRISE -- Krone on Peterson trainee, draws good post for maiden/claimer, no Surprise if Captain's diploma forthcoming here. FORTUNATE GLORY -- Baze aboard Meredith trainee, needs to overcome outside post for route outing, graduation Glory here? Value Play -- FRUITION'S JASMINE

4th Race -- SIX HITTER -- Draws good middle post for full field at turf route distance, Espinoza on Frankel trainee for owner Gann, respect connections. CHATTING -- Training at Santa Anita, Valdivia aboard Ellis trainee, needs crafty trip in bulky sod two-turn claimer. Value Play -- FANTASTIC GROOM

5th Race -- BUNDLE THIS -- Baze aboard Sadler trainee, draws good box for sprint maiden/claimer, This Bundle a diploma? SPLENDID MOVER -- Draws good post here, Espinoza atop Jones trainee, good spot for graduation try. Value Play -- DR. ADOUE

6th Race -- CHARM A SONG -- Desormeaux aboard Barrera trainee for owners Jones, needs prompt start from outside post in turf dash, winning tune? MIDNIGHT RHAPSODY -- Hustling Espinoza on O'Neill trainee, draws just inside top pick, daylight victory for Midnight? Value Play -- THE PARTIES OVER

7th Race -- MENUHIN -- British-bred draws good inner post for turf route feature, Krone astride Dollace trainee, lands good spot stateside. GOOD MEETING -- Draws rail post for allowance/claimer, Flores atop Hendricks trainee, one-of-three in for a tag here. Value Play -- HAPPY AND HASTY

8th Race -- KIALA -- Draws outer post for nightcap sprint, Nuesch aboard Canani trainee for owner Milch, diplom-a for Kial-a here-a? GYPSY WITCH -- Krone aboard Hines trainee, draws good box for maiden/claiming finale, Witch Gypsy whips up graduation potion? Value Play -- SEASONS PROMISE