Ralph Siraco’s Del Mar selections

Wednesday, July 21, 2004 | 9:49 a.m.

Thursday's card

1st Race -- TOTAL WAGER -- In good post for short sprint opener, Solis scales Mullins entry, Wager freshman colt graduation is Total effort here. RILEY'S LIFE -- Espinoza on La Croix trainee, draws good box for maiden/claiming dash, Life of Riley's pleasure is diploma here. Value Play -- PRISON CAPER

2nd Race -- TAVERN ON RUSH -- Draws good post for mile starter allowance outing, Solis scales Peery trainee, adds blinkers to package for this. KIMMY'S KID -- Starts alongside top pick, Santiago atop Stute trainee, Kid knockout here? Value Play -- TIALINGA

3rd Race -- NOSSENKO -- Espinoza aboard Cassidy trainee, in good box for 7-panel maiden/claimer, Nossenko a yes-co for diploma? KEEP ABREAST -- In good outer post for long one-turn tag run, Vergara astride Sticka trainee, Keep Abreast of graduation attempt. Value Play -- TOWN A ATTIRE

4th Race -- JINK WILLIAMS -- Starts from good inner post for mile claimer, bug boy Ruis aboard Truman trainee, likes the seaside course. FRENCH REBEL -- Draws alongside top pick, Smith scales Spawr trainee, solid connections in good spot. Value Play -- CASSIDY LOVES YOU

5th Race -- DEFCON FIVE -- Has good middle post in full field of sprinting claimers, Nakatani atop Mitchell trainee for owner Padua Stable, will give his best here. TWELVE VOLT MAN -- Part of Equils-co-owned coupled entry with FOUNTAIN GROVE, Baze/Knapp here, Flores/Carava there, double threat. Value Play -- SCOTCHWATER

6th Race -- DITCH DIGGER -- Hard-knocking Argentine-bred gelding returns to races at favorite race track, Smith returns aboard Spawr trainee, Ditch Digger digs in to ditch foes here? DEADLY WEAPON -- In good middle box in sprint claimer, Nakatani on Hess trainee, adds blinkers for this try. Value Play -- GOT THE MESSAGE

7th Race -- ETERNAL MELODY -- New Zealand-bred draws outside box in small five-horse turf feature, Solis scales Frankel trainee, adds blinkers for important equipment change. CROZET -- Starts alongside top pick for grass route allowance/claimer, Flores aboard Hollendorfer trainee, solid connection to beware. Value Play -- STAR VEGA

8th Race -- FUZZY CHAI -- Has good post for 7-panel nightcap, Solis scales Dominguez trainee, Fuzzy graduation for Chai? I'MA WILD ONE -- Nuesch atop Van Berg trainee, in good box for maiden/claiming run, nightcap cap-and-gown for the Wild One? Value Play -- YYYYES