Ralph Siraco’s Del Mar selections

Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004 | 10:16 a.m.

Thursday's card

1st Race -- SUSPICIOUS CAPER -- Draws good box for short sprint opener, Berrio atop Avila trainee, fits well at this level. CHAMP'S OLE' -- John atop co-owner Dutton trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post at Cal-bred dash distance, gets up in time? Value Play -- CUCA

2nd Race -- AUSSIE GIRL -- Martinez on Carava trainee, hard-knocking mare always gives her all, at this level, that is good enough for us. POTRI LLAMA -- Draws good rail post for route claimer, bug boy Ruis atop Hess trainee, shortest trip to wire? Value Play -- NADIRA

3rd Race -- WE HAVE A PROBLEM -- Draws well for small five-horse field at two-turn trip, Espinoza on Machowsky trainee, foes may Have A Problem if he fires. POWER TRIPPER -- Baze aboard Spawr trainee for owners Craig, draws outside box for Cal-bred allowance/claimer, Power effort Tripper foes here. Value Play -- TIZ ONLY MONEY

4th Race -- SLEW'S PRINCE -- Desormeaux on Sise trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from inner post at short grass distance, could trip out here. BILLY'S ECHO -- Flores atop Mayberry trainee, draws well for allowance/ claiming turf dash, good spot for action. Value Play -- CODED MESSAGE

5th Race -- BERTHA JO -- Draws good outer post for short maiden/claiming dash, Baze aboard O'Neill trainee, big Bertha diploma? SWEET CURRENCY -- Draws just outside top pick, John astride Machowsky trainee, adds blinkers for this graduation try. Value Play -- NOVEL

6th Race -- NOMONYNOMONYNOMONY -- Draws outside box for sprint claimer, Court atop Cerin trainee, jockey and trainer are having solid seaside meet. FIERCE KNIGHT -- Hustling Espinoza aboard co-owner Hess trainee, draws good middle post for tag dash, fits this level. Value Play -- BENCHLY

7th Race -- ROYAL PRICE -- German-bred draws good box for mile turf feature, Nakatani atop Frankel trainee, runners from this stable always dangerous. THE TIN MAN -- Returns to races in this grass allowance/claimer, Smith returns aboard Mandella trainee, class of the field may need an outing for best. Value Play -- GRAFTON

8th Race -- CONSPIRATOR -- Draws good middle post in full field of maiden / claiming sprinters, hustling Pedroza aboard West trainee, conspiring for graduation? DADDYSANGBASS -- Baze aboard Ward trainee, draws outer post for Cal-bred nightcap dash, the bass of daddys tune is diploma? Value Play -- SHERIFF JOE