Ralph Siraco’s Hollywood Park selections

Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004 | 9:48 a.m.

Wednesday's card

1st Race -- AWARD WINNING -- Draws good post for sprint opener, Espinoza on Lobo trainee, Award Winning performance for diploma here? LANITA G -- Martinez atop O'Neill trainee, draws inner box for Cal-bred maiden/claiming dash, G for graduation? Value Play -- YOURWAY HIGHWAY

2nd Race -- QUIET RUMOR -- Fusilier aboard Baffert trainee for owner Pegram, draws good box for two-turn first-year filly tag run, maiden-breaking connections. STARLIGHT SONATA -- Draws alongside top pick, Nakatani atop Hendricks trainee for owners Wygod, Sonata graduation before Starlight here? Value Play -- EXPEDITED

3rd Race -- POINTE BIRDS -- Baze aboard Sadler trainee, draws good post for Cal-bred two-turn run, Pointe of contention is for the Birds. CHARBONNIER -- Training at Santa Anita, Flores aboard Harty trainee, adds blinkers for this allowance route try. Value Play -- MS MINTONS EXCESS

4th Race -- PROUD GENERAL -- Gomez astride Canani trainee here, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in sprint claimer, General consensus is Proud contender. SIZZLIN SWISS -- Draws alongside top pick for freshman tag dash, hustling Pedroza aboard Harrington trainee, adds blinkers for this try. Value Play -- BELBART

5th Race -- MONSIEUR BOULANGER -- British-bred training at Santa Anita, Gomez on Carava trainee, good spot for action in grass dash here. SALVINO -- Draws alongside top pick for turf sprint claimer, Baze aboard O'Neill trainee, will be rolling late. Value Play -- DOG DAYS

6th Race -- WAKI AMERICAN -- Draws good post for sprint claimer, Nakatani atop owner O'Neill trainee, tough at this level and distance. DITCH DIGGER -- Argentine-bred training at Santa Anita, Douglas aboard hard-knocking Spawr-trained gelding, needs crafty trip from rail post in tag dash. Value Play -- DAUPHIN

7th Race -- BALESTRINI -- Irish-bred has had some tough luck lately, Smith scales Drysdale trainee, waiting to put it all together--maybe here? CALIFORNIAN -- British-bred ships across town for this, Pedroza on owner DeLima trainee, adds blinkers and up for a tag in turf allowance/claiming route. Value Play -- STRATUS

8th Race -- RICHOCHET -- Draws good middle post for route maiden nightcap, Douglas atop Frankel trainee, connections always dangerous for diploma. PRECIS -- Training at Santa Anita, draws good inner post for two-turn run, Flores aboard Harty trainee for owner Darley Stable, beware. Value Play -- BOLD STOCK