Las Vegas Sun

April 18, 2024

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

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

Friday's card

1st Race -- AKRON AVENUE -- Training at Santa Anita, Flores aboard Marlow trainee, draws good outside post for sprint opener. COMPANY OF MARY -- Berron on co-owner Chapman trainee, well spotted at claiming level here, repeat of last puts in winners circle. Value Play -- SWEET SOVIET

2nd Race -- SLEW STEW -- Draws good middle post for sprint claimer, Johnston atop Knapp trainee, Stew ready to Slew foes here? BRIEF MESSAGE -- Training at Santa Anita, Valenzuela atop Marlow trainee, needs prompt start and clean trip from rail post. Value Play -- NICOLE'S APOLLO

3rd Race -- CALLED TO ORDER -- Draws good box for turf mile maiden outing, Valdivia on Gallagher trainee, backers Called To Order in winners circle? GEMS OF WISDOM -- Training at Santa Anita, draws good inner box for Cal-bred sod run, Gems Of graduation is the words of Wisdom here. Value Play -- FLYING HEART

4th Race -- MY SECRET SPOT -- Draws good post in full field of maiden/claiming sprinters, Puglisi atop O'Neill trainee, Secret Spot should be My pocketbook. METAPHYSICS -- Ships in from San Luis Rey training center, P. Val on French trainee, Meta-Physics-al-ly capable of graduation here. Value Play -- STRATEGIC MOVE

5th Race -- DECARCHY -- Lands good inner post for return to races, Valdivia on Frankel trainee, if he's ready off the shelf he can take these. SKY JACK -- Another stakes heavyweight returns in grass route, draws just inside top pick, Valenzuela aboard O'Neill trainee, is he ready? Value Play -- YOUGOTTAWANNA

6th Race -- HOC YOUR SILVER -- Training at Santa Anita, Pedroza on main man Carava trainee, so far backers have been hocking alot for chance to cash a win. GO YOYO -- Draws alongside top pick for 7-panel maiden/claimer, Valenzuela atop Mitchell trainee, a Yoyo graduation to Go with victory. Value Play -- MOONLIGHT MAGIC

7th Race --BOCA DREAM -- Draws good rail post for turf dash feature, Smith scales Knapp trainee, should be part of the pace scenario throughout. ROUNDTREE -- Irish-bred draws outer box in six-horse allowance/claiming field, Valenzuela on Drysdale trainee, sans blinkers for this. Value Play -- GRANT MARTY A WISH

8th Race -- REVO -- Irish-bred draws good middle post in sprint finale, Espinoza on Shirreffs trainee for owner Thoroughbred Corporation, adds blinkers for a devo Revo. DECISIONAL -- Draws alongside top pick in maiden/claimer nightcap, Baze aboard Sadler trainee, also takes biinkers off for the Decisional diploma try. Value Play -- WOODBUCK

archive