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

Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2003 | 9:22 a.m.

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

1st Race -- BACK TO CAPETOWN -- Valenzuela atop Gaines trainee, needs crafty trip from post draws in mile run, backers hope Capetown returns Back to winners circle. HARDERTHANPRIDE -- Draws good rail post in two-turn maiden opener, Nakatani on Chapman horse, shortest route to graduation here? Value Play -- A QUEENS TALE

2nd Race -- SHARPSTER -- Flores aboard Canani trainee, fits this allowance/claiming condition well, must overcome outside post draw in mile outing. POLITICAL RHETORIC -- Valenzuela on Jones trainee, draws good middle post for two-turner, should get a good trip here. Value Play -- SOMBRIO

3rd Race -- LEGAL LOGIC -- Flores aboard Shirreffs horse for owners Wygod, draws good outside box for sprint maiden outing, victory is Logic for Legal diploma. IN EXCESS SUCCESS -- Draws good post for Cal-bred dash, Smith sits Lewis entrant, bred to win early. Value Play -- WE HAVE A PROBLEM

4th Race -- KISSING GIRL -- Argentine-bred draws good inner post for turf mile, Espinoza on Hess trainee, set to get a catbird trip here. KERNITRE -- British-bred draws alongside top pick, Solis scales Paasch horse, another that could trip out in grass claimer. Value Play -- LAND TAX

5th Race -- ALCHEMA -- Krone atop Shirreffs trainee for owners Moss, draws good box for mile maiden outing, respect connetions here. LOVELY RAFAELA -- Espinoza rides Mandella horse, draws good inner post for first-year filly two-turner, adds blinkers for this diploma try. Value Play -- VENCEDORA AMIGA

6th Race -- ROYALLY CHOSEN -- Solis returns on Headley trainee, draws good rail post in mile feature, needed last outing, beware. PRINTEMPS -- Chilean-bred part of Ameman Racing-owned coupled entry with ADORATION, Nakatani/McAnally here, P. Val/Hofmans there, 2-for-1 deal. Value Play -- RHIANA

7th Race -- DELL PLACE -- Likes this seaside course, Solis scales Proctor entry for owner Glen Hill Farm, one-of-three in for a tag. GALLANT -- British-bred draws alongside top pick in allowance/claimer turf route, Flores on Jory trainee, good spot for action. Value Play -- KACHAMANDI

8th Race -- HONOR GAME -- Valenzuela aboard Monteleone trainee, draws good post for 7-panel maiden/claimer, backers hope graduation Honor the Game here. RULING HOUSE -- Draws alongside top pick, Flores atop Polanco horse, Ruling run puts diploma in this House. Value Play -- RONNIE'S A STAR