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

Thursday, July 31, 2003 | 9:29 a.m.

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

1st Race -- SMOKEVILLE -- Solis scales owner Hollendorfer trainee, draws well for route opener, ready to Smoke foes? SURFIRE -- Argentine-bred draws good rail post for two-turn claimer, Valenzuela aboard Monteleone trainee for Las Vegan owner Schiappa, Surfire short trip. Value Play -- CHAMPAGNE DAY

2nd Race -- NASKRA NICK -- Draws good middle post for full field of maiden/claiming sprinters, Pedroza on Carava trainee, dangerous team. R SUPER CHIEF -- Draws extreme outside post, Nuesch atop West trainee for family member West-owned, choo-choo graduation? Value Play -- BARTENDING MIKE

3rd Race -- AMBER TWILIGHT -- Training at nearby San Luis Rey center, Smith scales Orman trainee, nightmare trip in last rider to make amends here? PRINCESS NICOLETTE -- Draws good post for sprint claimer, Krone aboard Abrams trainee, adds blinkers for this outing. Value Play -- THEGRLFROMYESTRDAY

4th Race -- ARTIST'S STUDIO -- Nakatani on Hess trainee, fits this turf tour well, must overcome outer post draw in two-turn trip. HONEYMOON BABE -- Irish-bred draws just outside top pick, Valenzuela aboard Mitchell trainee, like top pick this one needs crafty trip from post draw too. Value Play -- SUSPICIOUS CAPER

5th Race -- THEDEVILINME -- Draws good post for short dash, Flores astride Baffert trainee for owner Pegram, productive connections. QUEENOFLUV -- Solis scales co-owner Dutton trainee, draws good post for Cal-bred maiden/claiming sprint, backers will Luv Queen-of-diploma. Value Play -- ITALIAN DISH

6th Race -- EX FEDERALI -- Draws good outside post for sprint claimer, Smith sits Baffert trainee, speedster adds blinkers for this outing. ALWAYS THE WINNER -- Draws alongside top pick, Krone aboard Mullins trainee for owner Englander, respect connections here. Value Play -- BINGO CARD

7th Race -- GRANT MARTY A WISH -- Spedster draws good inner post for short sod dash, Baze aboard O'Neill trainee, could be long gone in this short turf feature. BRISQUETTE -- Draws good rail post for grass dash stakes, Solis scales Mandella trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip for best chance. Value Play -- SECRET LIAISON

8th Race -- FRUITION'S JASMINE -- Draws good inner post for full field of nightcap routers, Lovato atop Sahadi trainee, set to get ground-saving trip. CHERRY ROSE -- Baze aboard Lewis trainee, draws good box for two-turn maiden/claimer, Cherry could turn up Rose-y for diploma. Value Play -- ONE TWO PUNCH