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

Wednesday, May 7, 2003 | 9:11 a.m.

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

Thursday's card

1st Race -- ESTRELLA BELLE -- Draws outer post for short maiden dash, Solis scales Moger, Jr., trainee, Belle of the graduation ball? GO BYE BYE -- Training at Santa Anita, draws middle box for short opener, P. Val aboard Shulman trainee to Go Bye Bye? Value Play -- LIZZY RIDGE

2nd Race -- HASTY KRIS -- Baze aboard Sadler trainee, draws good outside box for 7-panel claimer, Kris Hasty enough to beat foes here? RHETORIC EXPRESS -- P. Val atop O'Neill trainee, draws middle post for this, jockey-trainer both dangerous. Value Play -- DOTAGE

3rd Race -- HITCHCOCK'S BEST -- Draws outside post for 7-panel outing, Puglisi atop Aguirre trainee, jockey-trainer combo potent team. MIND FOR GOLD -- Nakatani on Baffert trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, draws inner box for maiden/claimer, goes for graduation Gold here. Value Play -- PASSIONFORCASHIN

4th Race -- BANKER BOY -- Draws good spot in 7-panel claimer, Solis scales Mullins trainee, backers to Banker on the Boy here. TWO THIRTY SEVEN -- Draws outside box for sophomore outing, Puglisi aboard co-owner Dutton trainee, Two Thirty Seven number one here? Value Play -- ECHEVERRIA

5th Race -- MR. HOCKEY -- Johnston atop Ward trainee, draws good box for 7-panel maiden/claimer, puck pluck for Mr. Hockey here? WOODBUCK -- Berrio aboard Knapp trainee, draws well, Woodbuck could chuck foes or could buck Wood bust here. Value Play -- WILD DOUBLE DOWN

6th Race -- METEOR GAME -- Draws good post for fifth consecutive 7-panel race on the card, Pedroza on Knapp trainee, Game for Meteor is victory here. SWEET OLYMPIO -- Johnston atop Carava trainee, draws good box for claimer, Olympio win will be Sweet for backers. Value Play -- CHARLIES GOOD GIRL

7th Race -- SHARPBILL -- British-bred draws middle box for short turf dash, P. Val aboard Cerin trainee, only runner in allowance/claimer for a tag here. DON'T TELL WENDY -- Baze aboard Becerra trainee, draws inner box for sod feature, set to get the trip here. Value Play -- KATDOGAWN

8th Race -- CLEVER JUNE -- Part of Warren-owned & Sise-trained coupled entry with MEG'S OPERATOR, Pedroza here, Puglisi there, double diploma threat. JEWEL OF THE CAT -- Draws outer box in short maiden/claiming dash, Nuesch on owner Dutton trainee, Jewel Of The nightcap is the Cat? Value Play -- TIPSY INDY