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

Thursday, May 8, 2003 | 9:22 a.m.

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

Friday's card

1st Race -- RIVER BRIDGE -- French-bred training at Santa Anita, Espinoza on Vienna trainee for owner Red Baron's Barn, likes this layout. BOCA DREAM -- Draws rail box for short turf dash opener, Baze aboard Knapp trainee, sharp start leads to ground-saving trip. Value Play -- ANIMA MUNDI

2nd Race -- MINE THE GOLD -- Espinoza atop Hess trainee, draws good box for sprint maiden/claimer, backers to Mine The graduation Gold here. SAINT LORENZO -- Nakatani on Baffert trainee for owner McIngvale, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post, Lorenzo set for devine diploma? Value Play -- CLASSY FELLA

3rd Race -- ARCTIC PRIZE -- Draws good outside post for 7-panel claimer, Martinez on Salih trainee, victory Prize melts Arctic outing. NIKAWA -- Hard knocker at this bottom level, P. Val on Hess trainee, always a danger for this tag. Value Play -- KINSTON

4th Race -- EURIBOR -- Irish-bred draws outside box in short turf dash, Nakatani on Drysdale trainee, needs crafty ride at this trip. ROAD TO JUSTICE -- British-bred draws better post than top pick, Pedroza on Mitchell trainee, adds blinkers for this. Value Play -- VODKA AND TONIC

5th Race -- HEROIC FIREFIGHTER -- Draws outside post for Cal-bred sprint, Nakatani on Dominguez trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, diploma forthcoming. EARLY COTTON -- Ships down south from Golden Gate Fields for this, Smith sits Gilchrist trainee for owner Harris Farms, Early maiden/claimer graduation? Value Play -- REDINAL

6th Race -- ALBATROS -- Argentine-bred draws good inner post for turf mile, P. Val back aboard O'Neill trainee, ready to rock and roll again. NOT PHONE -- Argentine-bred one-of-two in the allowance/claimer that does not go for a tag, Valdivia on this Frankel-trained entry. Value Play -- EL BUENO

7th Race -- TRACKOFTHECAT -- Stevens scales Zucker trainee, draws good post for sprint feature, this track may belong to the cat. SHINING STRIKE -- Draws rail post in allowance dash, Flores aboard Baffert trainee for owner Bob & Beverly Lewis, backers to Strike Shining victory? Value Play -- STYLER

8th Race -- SUNE -- Draws good post for sprint finale, Baze aboard Becerra trainee, adds blinkers for this graduation try. CRYPTOSCRIPT -- Hustling Pedroza on Sadler trainee, draws alongside top pick for maiden/claimer nightcap, also adds blinkers for this diploma try. Value Play -- GALLANT CAT