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

Wednesday, July 30, 2003 | 8:58 a.m.

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

1st Race -- TUNDER PONCHE -- P. Val atop Mitchell trainee, draws good post for dash opener, a factor throughout. PATRIOT DREAM -- Hustling Espinoza aboard Harrington trainee, draws inner box for starter allowance sprint, victory Dream for backers. Value Play -- ONE SMART CAT

2nd Race -- DAISY AGO -- Smith sits Glenney trainee, draws good spot in turf mile, good spot for action. ADALGISA -- Flores aboard Canani trainee, draws good post for allowance/claimer, could trip out here. Value Play -- CONSIGNADA

3rd Race -- GREAT WHITE FATHER -- Pedroza on Canani trainee for owners Wygod, needs crafty trip with inner post here, Great While diploma for Father? ARCTIC FOX -- Draws good middle post for full field of maiden/claiming sprinters, Desormeaux on co-owner Hollendorfer trainee, Fox-y graduation? Value Play -- LAPIDUS

4th Race -- CHARMED BARON -- Flores atop Mitchell trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from inner post for sprint distance, Baron may be gone here. SAILINWITHCAPTAIN -- Draws good post for dash claimer, Smith on Baffert trainee for owner Pegram, backers-Sailn-with-captain to winners circle? Value Play -- LIGHT UP THE PHONE

5th Race -- FRESAL -- Draws good post for Cal-bred sprint, P. Val aboard Sadler trainee for owner Granja Vista Del Rio Stable, Fresal diploma here? BROADWAY DEB -- Draws inner post for maiden dash, Desormeaux astride Lewis trainee, Deb to graduate on Broadway talent? Value Play -- THERESA'S MEMO

6th Race -- POPULAR -- Returns to races in this spot, Nakatani on Baffert trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, promising runner likes seaside track. FOG CITY WILLY -- Draws just inside top pick for sprint claimer, Pedroza on West trainee, a factor throughout. Value Play -- MIGHTY DAVID

7th Race -- SUPER HIGH -- Draws good rail post for turf mile feature, P. Val atop speedy Gaines trainee for owner Harris Farms, could be elusive target here. SENTIMENTAL VALUE -- Espinoza on young Mulhall trainee for owner Throughbred Corporation, fits allowance grass feature, must overcome outside post. Value Play -- LITTLE TREASURE

8th Race -- ALL CAT -- Espinoza aboard Sise trainee, draws good inner box for route nightcap, All Cal All run for All diploma here? PRESENTER -- Draws rail post for two-turn maiden/claimer, P. Val aboard Marinay trainee, shortest route to graduation here? Value Play -- ATIRADOR