Ralph Siraco’s Del Mar selections

Thursday, Aug. 19, 2004 | 9:50 a.m.

Friday's card

1st Race -- AWESOME DIVIDEND -- Draws good rail post for mile opener, Naktani atop Baffert trainee, pays Awesome Dividend with victory for backers? TANGMALANGALOO -- Bug boy Ruis aboard Headley trainee, draws well for starter allowance run, Tang-ma-lang-a-winna? Value Play -- DOWNTIME

2nd Race -- MEMOGRAM -- Bug boy Ruis astride Glatt trainee, draws well in sprint claimer, a factor throughout. OUR EMERALD -- Hustling Espinoza on Mullins trainee for owner Bone, well spotted in tag dash, connections always dangerous. Value Play -- SECRET CAPER

3rd Race -- ARTIST'S STUDIO -- Draws good rail post for route claimer, Nakatani on Hess trainee, shortest trip to victory? CHARLIE'S GOOD GIRL -- Hustling Pedroza aboard Hines trainee, draws well for two-turn tag run, should be a factor in this throughout. Value Play -- BUTTERTART

4th Race -- MR. CHING -- Bug boy Ruis atop Pearson trainee, needs crafty trip from post draw in two-turn turf run, been knocking on diploma door. COVER GUY -- Draws good inner box for maiden Cal-bred grass route, Espinoza on one-of-two Machowsky-trained 'hidden entry', Guy graduation makes the Cover of backers book. Value Play -- UNUSUAL SUNRISE

5th Race -- EXCESSIVE HAYATE -- Hustling Pedroza on Spawr trainee, draws good middle post for sprint claimer, fits this fray well. JIVE AT FIVE -- Returns to races in realistic spot, Flores aboard Garcia trainee, draws good outside box in tag dash. Value Play -- MIKE THE MUDDER

6th Race -- SPARKLING FOREST -- Draws good middle post for sprint allowance outing, Nakatani atop Baffert trainee, respect connections. EXCESSED -- Baze aboard Mitchell trainee, draws good outer post for dash distance, a factor throughout this heat. Value Play -- FRENCH FLIGHT

7th Race -- BLACK BART -- Draws good rail post for two-turn turf stakes, jockey Gann returns to saddle on Bainum trainee, dangerous gate-to-wire threat. SEINNE -- Chilean-bred part of Hunt-owned & McAnally-trained coupled entry with GONDOLIERI, Valdivia here, Smith there, double feature threat. Value Play -- BIS REPETITAS

8th Race -- YOUARETHEMAN -- Draws good outer post for sprint maiden/claimer, Flores aboard Canani trainee for Las Vegan owners Lanni & Schiappa, is he the graduation man? CHEROOT -- Draw good middle post for Cal-bred dash finale, Espinoza astride Vienna trainee, Che-roots out diploma here? Value Play -- CONTROLLER