Ralph Siraco’s Del Mar selections

Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2004 | 9:25 a.m.

Thursday's card

1st Race -- HURRICANE ROUTE -- Draws good post for sprint opener, Flores aboard co-owner Headley trainee, diploma Route to winners circle. SIREN LURE -- Nakatani on West trainee, draws good box for maiden/claiming dash, well bred gelding. Value Play -- CALAMANDER

2nd Race -- EXCESSIVE HAYATE -- Hustling Pedroza aboard Spawr trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in sprint claimer, good spot for action. DIXIE JIG -- Bug boy Bisono atop Gonzalez trainee, draws good outer post in Cal-bred dash, Jig might be up for foes. Value Play -- HOUSTON ASTRO

3rd Race -- STANTON -- Draws good post for turf mile, Espinoza aboard Mandella trainee, solid connections here. PARADISE COVE -- Desormeaux astride Drysdale trainee for owner Hughes, needs crafty trip from post draw in two-turn grass maiden outing, backers see Paradise in graduation. Value Play -- I AM

4th Race -- ALPENWALD -- Draws good post for sprint claimer, Smith scales Spawr trainee, good spot for action. NOSSENKO -- Draws alongside top pick in tag dash, Baze aboard Becerra trainee, rider going for seaside title. Value Play -- HIDDEN BEAUTY

5th Race -- SEEKING THE HEART -- Pedroza on Baffert trainee for owner Pegram, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post in sprint maiden/claimer, Seeking graduation here. DAILY FORECAST -- Nakatani on Mitchell trainee for owner Golden Eagle Farm, draws good outside post for tag dash, Daily diploma in the Forecast? Value Play -- CEE'S IRISH

6th Race -- LA SCALA -- Draws good post for allowance/claiming grass route, Nakatani atop one of two Frankel-trained entries, this for owner Juddmonte Farms. QUATRAIN -- Draws good inner box for two-turn turf outing, Baze aboard Sadler trainee for owners Moss, shortest trip to winners circle? Value Play -- GOOD STUDENT

7th Race -- ELLOLUV -- Nakatani atop young Dollace trainee for owner Reddam, Graded-caliber filly lands good spot in stakes feature here, adds blinkers for this. COCONUT GIRL -- Another hard-knocker at this level, Court aboard Aguirre trainee for owner JPF Investments, draws good inner post for mile distance. Value Play -- DIAMOND TIARA

8th Race -- ELATED WON -- Baze aboard Mullins trainee, must overcome outside post in mile maiden/claimer, solid connections here. GOSPODIN -- Draws good inner post for two-turn nightcap, Court atop Cerin trainee, shortest route to graduation here? Value Play -- LOVING TYPE