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

Thursday, July 24, 2003 | 9:21 a.m.

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

1st Race -- SMILIN SUSAN -- P. Val atop Mitchell trainee, draws well for mile opener, backers hope Susan has them Smilin in winners circle. THE BORG QUEEN -- Draws good rail post for two-turn claimer, Espinoza on Mullins trainee for owner Englander, solid connections. Value Play -- BEING WITH YOU

2nd Race -- ASHOKA -- Solis scales Frankel trainee, needs crafty trip from post draw in turf route, respect connections. CONQUER THE GALAXY -- Draws good spot for sod allowance outing, P. Val atop Machowsky trainee, Galaxy ready to Conquer foes here? Value Play -- HELMS DEEP

3rd Race -- PERFECT MISS -- Hustling Pedroza on co-owner Ward trainee, draws good outer box in full field of maiden/claiming sprinters, Perfect graduation for Miss? SUNE -- Baze aboard Becerra trainee, draws good post for dash trip, has been knocking on diploma door. Value Play -- OLIVIA'S AMOUR

4th Race -- STAGE PLAYER -- Draws good post in full field of sprinters, Espinoza on co-owner Dutton trainee, fits this level well. LOVE THAT LION -- Draws alongside top pick for dash claimer, Baze aboard Sadler trainee, beach setting may wake this one up. Value Play -- BETTOR ROYALTY

5th Race -- SOMETHING FIERCE -- Part of Class Racing Stable-owned coupled entry with QUARTEZ, Solis/Sherman here, Baze/Machowsky there, double threat. QUIET JOURNEY -- Draws outer post for maiden/claiming dash, Desormeaux on Sise trainee, needs solid Journey for Quiet graduation. Value Play -- RONTU

6th Race -- SUMITAS -- German-bred draws good rail post in turf route, Desormeaux atop Frankel trainee for owner Tanaka, set to get the trip. KACHAMANDI -- This is one of those 'horse for course' horses, P. Val fits this Abrams trainee well, fits this layout and level well, too. Value Play -- DERECK

7th Race -- GARDEN WHIMSY -- P. Val aboard Shirreffs trainee for owners Wygod, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in sprint stakes, solid chance. DIRTY DIANA -- Draws good post for Cal-bred freshman filly feature, Smith scales Baffert trainee, respect connections here. Value Play -- SMOKE BREAK

8th Race -- ZOOLU NIGHTS -- Draws good post for sprint nightcap, hustling Pedroza on West trainee, been knocking on diploma door. ROCK ISLAND SALAMI -- Draws alongside top pick in Cal-bred maiden/claimer, P. Val atop Baffert trainee for owner Pegram, solid graduation team. Value Play -- RASHARD LAMAR