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

Friday, July 25, 2003 | 8:54 a.m.

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

1st Race -- SUAVE METEORITE -- Draws good rail post for two-turn opener, Valenzuela atop Monteleone trainee, takes shortest route to victory? JEKYLL AND HYDE -- Smith scales Truman trainee, fits the route and claiming level well, question at hand is: who shows up, Jekyll or Hyde? Value Play -- WAGON TRAIN

2nd Race -- DESIRAES MYHOTBABY -- Baze aboard O'Neill trainee, draws outer post for short dash, My-hot-baby-is-Desiraes graduation? GUIDEBOOK -- Smith scales Proctor trainee for owner Glen Hill Farm, draws inner box for maiden/claimer, foes need Guidebook for diploma? Value Play -- JEN'S SPELL

3rd Race -- FREMONT -- Valenzuela aboard Harty trainee for owner Darley Stud Management, colt of much promise? COURAGEOUS ACT -- Solis atop one of two Baffert entries, this one for owners Bob & Beverly Lewis, graduation Act here? Value Play -- COLDNTIGHT

4th Race -- MAMACAFE -- Smith sits Spawr trainee, draws good inner post for route claimer, well spotted for solid effort. KATE'N AMY -- P. Val astride Knapp trainee, needs crafty trip from post draws, a factor throughout. Value Play -- CLEVER MISS CAPER

5th Race -- GOLDEN ARROW -- Draws good inner post in full field at turf mile distance, Espinoza on Drysdale trainee for owner Maktoum Al Maktoum, beware. COMMADER'S FLAG -- Solis scales Headley trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, draws good rail post, Commander's goal to Flag foes here. Value Play -- MARSHALL ROOSTER

6th Race -- DISTURBINGTHEPEACE -- Multi-stakes-winning sprinter returns here, Espinoza returns on Vienna trainee, sans blinkers for this comeback. KONA GOLD -- Breeders' Cup Sprint champion getting long on the tooth, Solis stays with Headley trainee, classy and competitive, can't leave out. Value Play -- GIOVANNETTI

7th Race -- LIKE A HERO -- Draws good rail post for route allowance/claimer, Espinoza on Greely trainee, picks tough spot here. SARAVA -- Belmont Stakes winner returns to races here, Smith scales new Baffert trainee, has the class and competitiveness. Value Play -- CRAFTY C.T.

8th Race -- GOLDEN APPLES -- Irish-bred Eclipse Award winner returns to racing wars here, new rider Stevens on Cecil trainee, been training up a storm, ready? TATES CREEK -- Draws rail post for Grade I turf route stakes, Valenzuela aboard Frankel trainee for owner Juddmonte Farms, classy mare likes this course. Value Play -- DUBLINO

9th Race -- GLORIOUS CHOICE -- Smith sits on Baffert horse, this one for owner Golden Eagle Farm, Glorious is the Choice here. GARDEN WHIMSY -- Draws alongside top pick for Cal-bred maiden dash, P. Val on Shirreffs trainee for owners Wygod, another promising prospect. Value Play -- HIGH FLYING HONOR

10th Race -- TACTICAL ALLUSION -- Draws good outer post for sprint nightcap, Krone aboard co-owner Glatt trainee, Tactical win or an Allusion? VOLNAY -- Draws inner post for claiming finale, Lovato atop DeLima trainee, good spot for action at this bottom level. Value Play -- BRIEF MESSAGE