Ralph Siraco’s selections for Thursday’s races at Hollywood Park

Wednesday, June 9, 2004 | 10:54 a.m.

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

1st Race -- MS. FORTY SECOND ST -- Draws good post for short maiden/claiming dash, hustling Pedroza here, first-year filly graduation on Prairie Avenue? DOWNTOWN FRESNO -- Bug boy Ruis atop, draws good post for sprint opener, Fresno to Inglewood diploma? Value Play -- DOWNHILL CHAMP

2nd Race -- SNOWBOUND NATIVE -- Baze aboard, starts from good post for sprint claimer, Native summer bound winner? SEVENMISS -- Part of coupled entry with NINA'S TAXING, bug boy Bisono here, John there, double tag dash threat. Value Play -- CAPTAIN'S SURPRISE

3rd Race -- JOHNNY HIGH BRITE -- Has good middle post in maiden special weight sprint, Flores aboard, Johnny diploma is High mark for Brite backers. BEAU -- Draws alongside top pick for freshman dash, Solis scales here, graduation makes foes Beau? Value Play -- SERIOUSELY ENOUGH

4th Race -- SCARLETT MEMORIES -- Solis scales here, in inner box for sprint claimer, Scarlett victory will produce good Memories for backers. STRIKING COBRA -- Draws alongside top pick for tag dash, Espinoza sits here, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post. Value Play -- YOGI'S

5th Race -- FIVE NICKELS -- Starts from good inner post for turf route, Espinoza on, should trip out in this spot. SHE'S THE GENERAL -- Baze aboard, draws well for grass allowance outing, sans blinkers for this try. Value Play -- OLD CHINESE COPY

6th Race -- MONTANA BANANA -- Baze stays here, has better post for this sprint try, give another chance at this level. CHAMP'S OLE -- Draws alongside top pick for tag dash, Solis scales, good spot for action. Value Play -- SUSPICIOUS CAPER

7th Race -- TAMWEEL -- Flores aboard for feature, draws good post in route allowance/claimer, sans blinkers for this. AMIABLE AMY -- Starts alongside top pick for two-turn run, Espinoza atop here, fits this heat well. Value Play -- LUCKY IN LOVE

8th Race -- CHANEL ISLANDS -- Draws good post for grass route, Nakatani atop, Islands to Chanel trip for maiden-breaker. GALLERY PLACE -- Solis scales for nightcap cap and gown run, need crafty trip to graduate in maiden special weight outing, the Place for Gallery is winners circle? Value Play -- MY TINA