Wednesday, May 28, 2003 | 9:43 a.m.
Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday, and his Southern California selections run Tuesday through Sunday. Reach him c/o Las Vegas Sun, 2275 Corporate Circle Drive, Ste. 300, Henderson, NV 89074.
Sunday's card
First Race HAPPY YODELER -- Marked improvement when runner up in last, speedster draws rail box in short dash, Espinoza back on Harrington trainee, Happy diploma here? DINNER AT AGO'S -- First-time starter has solid works for debut, draws outside box in maiden opener, Smith astride La Croix trainee, may be ready to go. Value Play -- WILD BABE
Second Race ORIANA'S MAGIC -- Dueled lead and tired on turf when in need of an outing in last, Nakatani returns on Hofmans trainee, had tightener. STYLER -- Won allowace outing off maiden victory in last, Smith stays on Shirreffs trainee, going for three wins in a row here. Vallue Play -- RICH MUSIQUE
Third Race ACE'S VALENTINE -- Takes nosedive in class in ugly race, draws good rail post for route claimer, P. Val atop hot trainer O'Neill runner, drop, trip and connections point here. KATE'N AMY -- Dueled lead and edged for second when 3rd in last, hustling Pedroza returns on Knapp trainee, could be closest to top pick early. Value Play -- FANCY BEGINING
Fourth Race SULZANO -- No threat in downhill outing in last, solid works for return to races, Espinoza takes over on Machowsky trainee, beware. WEST COAST GEE GEE -- Set pace and faltered at turf mile in last, won turf sprint over this course before that, Baze stays on O'Neill trainee, back to best distance. Value Play -- WOMAN ONFASTTRACK
Fifth Race SMART AGAIN -- Dueled, led and just missed when runner up in debut in last, Nakatani returns on Baffert trainee, served warning for diploma here. SILICON CITY -- First-time starter with solid worktab, Desormeaux on debut runner for trainer Ward, breeding and drills say this one could be ready to graduate at first asking. Value Play -- HOW LITTLE WE KNOW
Sixth Race RUNAWAY PRO -- Four-wide 3rd over this course in last, draws good inner post for grass route, Espinoza returns on Mitchell trainee, could trip out here. MEGUIAL -- Argentine-bred returns to races for first lawn stateside lawn try, won US debut two races back, Valdivia becomes third different rider in as many Southern California starts for hot trainer O'Neill, a factor throughout. Value Play -- KIRTLE
Seventh Race NEON RAINBOW -- Takes significant drop in class for trainer Baffert here, broke maiden with Nakatani in saddle as he returns now, fire sale victory for owner Pegram? CHARMER BARON -- Solid races from on-and-off the pace style, Desormeaux aboard Mitchell trainee for sprint claimer, speed-filled race could set up for him. Value Play -- TIOGA LAKE
Eighth Race PRIVATE CHEF -- Huge debut maiden victory at Santa Anita back in February on off track, returns to races with solid worktab, Espinoza now aboard Shirreffs trainee, could be something special. SINGLETARY -- Just missed when second by a nose in last, won minor stakes on Santa Anita lawn before that, draws good rail post for mile turf stakes, P Val takes over on Chatlos trainee. Value Play -- RAPIER DANCER
Ninth Race WORLDLY EXCESS -- Stalked pace and weakened in state-bred maiden stakes in last, dueled lead and tired on turf before that, Espinoza takes over on Cardenas trainee, back to sprinting from rail box could produce nightcap cap and gown. LUNA LACE -- Draws alongside top pick here, vanned off track in last but has solid work since, returning Jauregui gets the best from Bacorn trainee, diploma upset? Value Play -- PERFECT MISS
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