Ralph Siraco’s Del Mar selections

Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005 | 9:40 a.m.

Friday's card

1st Race -- FOLLOW THE entries, this for owner Friendly, adds blinkers for this diploma try. DIXIE KING -- Draws alongside top pick in six-horse mile maiden outing, Douglas atop co-owned Ward trainee, King graduation coronation? Value Play -- BACKUS

2nd Race -- ENCOURAGEMENT -- British-bred has good box for route maiden/claimer, go go Gomez scales Gaines trainee, Encouragment for backers? VICTORIA FLY -- Figueroa atop O'Neill trainee, gets inner post for two-turn tag run, Victoria diploma? Value Play -- SAN CAPER

3rd Race -- CUT THE MUSTARD -- Draws good post for allowance/claiming turf sprint, go go Gomez scales Spawr trainee for owners Craig, can Cut The Mustard. CHAMP'S ROCKET -- John on Dutton trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from inner post, will be rolling late. Value Play -- TAVERN ON RUSH

4th Race -- DIABLO TIME -- Starts from outside post for 7-panel maiden/claimer, bug boy Cohen atop West trainee, Time for Diablo diploma? MONARCHO POLO -- Draws middle box for long one-turn freshman tag run, Espinoza aboard Mayberry trainee, Polo or Diablo? Value Play -- ROADHOUSE BANDIT

5th Race -- BETTOR ROYALTY -- In good middle post in full fielf of claimers at 7-panels, Berrio aboard Knapp trainee, Bettor is better for the bettor? HELENICO -- Argentine-bred has inner box in long one-turn tag run, go go Gomez scales Hess trainee, good spot for action. Value Play -- BOG HUNTER

6th Race -- CHEROOT -- Flores aboard Vienna trainee, draws good box for grass route allowance/claimer, cagey jockey-trainer combo. NOW VICTORY -- Draws good middle post for Cal-bred two-turn turf run, go go Gomez scales Lewis trainee, is it Now Victory time? Value Play -- MILLTOWN ROAD

7th Race -- RESPLENDENCY -- Draws good middle post for sprint stakes, Valenzuelal aboard one of two Baffert entries in this race, this for owners Bob & Beverly Lewis. PUXA SACO -- Smith onSahadi trainee, has alongside top pick for Grade III dash, fits this heat well. Value Play -- MINI SKIRT

8th Race -- JULEP CUP -- Pedroza on co-owned Baffert trainee, starts from inner box for sprint maiden/claimer, Cup half full or half empty? MY LITTLE MONKEY -- Draws alongside top pick in freshman filly tag dash, go go Gomez scales Yakteen trainee, Monkey see Monkey diploma do? Value Play -- LAKE COMO