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

Thursday, May 1, 2003 | 9:19 a.m.

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

Friday's card

1st Race -- FRENCHIE -- Draws good rail post for route opener, Espinoza aboard, Frenchie frys foes for diploma? WEB CASTER -- Draws alongside top pick for maiden/claimer, Smith returns from short rest here, Web can Caster graduation upon rivals? Value Play -- RUNAWAYSKYE

2nd Race -- WORDS IN POETRY -- Nakatani aboard here, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post, Poetry in motion for this. BARBARA ORR -- Espinoza up, draws good post for maiden sprint outing, Barbara winner Orr not? Value Play -- STROLLIN SLEW

3rd Race -- NEON RAINBOW -- Draws good middle post for short turf dash, Smith sits here, green the bright color of Rainbow victory for backers. BEYOND INFINITY -- French-bred draws middle box for grass claimer, Nakatani to help, Infinity victory may not be Beyond solid possibility here. Value Play -- MONSIEUR BOULANGER

4th Race -- TRUCKLE FEATURE -- Returns to races in sprint allowance/claimer, Smith astride, Feature could Truckle on down the track here. SUNSET PLACE -- Draws good box for sprint outing, Nakatani aboard, should go much better in this spot. Value Play -- FONZ'S

5th Race -- DESIRAES MY CANDY -- Draws good post for full field at turf route, Espinoza up, likes this course and should get the trip. TOP SPINNER -- New Zealand-bred draws middle box for sod claimer, Nakatani atop, Top effort puts the Spinner on foes. Value Play -- LAST TANGO

6th Race -- NLOTSABUTTER -- Garcia takes over here, needs crafty trip from inner post at sprint distance, bucket of popcorn needs Nlotsabutter? QUEEN OF THE ROAD -- Espinoza atop, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post, diamond lane in Road leads to Queen Of The maiden/claimers. Value Play -- CRYPTOSCRIPT

7th Race -- CHIMING -- Irish-bred fits allowance/claimer, Smith atop, needs to overcome outside box in seven-horse turf mile feature. PERTUISANE -- British-bred draws good inner box, Nakatani scales, set to get a catbird trip. Value Play -- RUNAWAY PRO

8th Race -- DISTINCTIVE FLYER -- Draws good outside post for sprint finale, Smith sits here, all she needs to do is live up to namesake to graduate. EXY -- Also draws good box for maiden/claimer, Nakatani atop, Exy could exit maiden ranks with nightcap cap and gown. Value Play --MARGED'S DELIGHT