Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Del Mar

Thursday's card

1ST RACE:

Whittle - 5-wide early, dueled lead and cleared to win last, made bid, led, cleared and caught right on the wire when 2nd by a head before that, in the quinella 4 of most recent 5 starts with a pair of victories, Flores for repeat try. Lake Veronica - Dueled lead and game close runner-up early May while claimed in last, won for this tag before that, broke maiden while claimed at Del Mar last summer, freshened for return, hustling Espinoza and drops off the claim. Value Play -- Britthadif

2ND RACE:

Mateyev - Waited and made late bid while splitting the field when 5th over this course in last, just missed when 2nd by a head before that, pair of nice Del Mar works since raced with most recent drill a bullet move on the 9th, beware. Embraceable You - Stalked, led and cleared to win on Hollypark lawn late-May in last, in the quinella 9 of 19 lifetime turf starts with 5 victories and 1-for-1 at this distance, steady works for return, Solis returns, would be top pick if not for outside post. Value Play -- Really Sovereign

3RD RACE:

Peninsula Girl - Broke maiden at Hollypark with energetic hand ride late-June in last, debut 3rd before that, has solid worktab since raced with several long moves for return, stretches out now, McCarron takes over on Thoro-Corp. entry. Speaking of Time - Finished well from 6th to close runner up first time routing in last, broke maiden at 7-panels before that, in the quinella 4 of 6 lifetime starts with a pair of wins, Garcia returns on Abrams trainee, a late factor. Value Play -- Uptick Chick

4TH RACE:

Spirited Carly - Squeezed at the start and made wide rally from outside post for better-than-looked debut 3rd off bullet drill in last, draws better post and gets extra distance to work with, first time lasix here, Pincay stays on Shulman trainee. Corwyn Belle - Dueled lead between foes and faded to 4th in last, stalked and steadied when runner-up before that, draws outside post now, Desormeaux returns on Hess trainee, prompt start necessary for diploma try. Value Play -- Fantasy Leap

5TH RACE:

Rio Oro - Interesting longshot here, speedy in turf sprints with a victory and recent runner-up of last three outings on lawn, bred to enjoy distance, stays at same level for this stretchout, visions of long lead and elusive target in this, in hands of fine trainer. Zippersup - Hard-fought photo-finish victory on Hollypark lawn in last, shipped to Florida, worked then returned to Southern California since raced, recent Anita drill on the 8th, in the quinella 4 of 6 starts at this trip with a pair of victories, runner-up 2 of 3 starts on this course, Flores/Baffert team. Value Play -- Oysters

6TH RACE:

Fairly's Dancer - Northern California-based runner made late bid for debut 3rd over this track in last, steps up two levels now, stays south, top Northern California trainer Hollendorfer switches to rider McCarron now, hummm. Duking - Stalked from inside post and finished well for close debut 2nd while beating top pick in last, maintenance drill since raced, draws better post now, race experience, Flores stays on Cerin trainee, a diploma factor. Value Play -- Misty Pete

7TH RACE:

Cyrillic - Entered against Tuzla on Wednesday, stalked, made bid and outkicked to finish 3rd over this course off 8-week layoff in last, outrun and overmatched in Grade III Hollypark turf stakes before that, won U. S. debut on Anita lawn three races back, fits here if goes, Desormeaux/Frankel team. Chime After Chime - Set pace and held 3rd at a mile on Hollypark turf in last, gate-to-wire victory for a tag at same before that, 3 of 6 lifetime victories from 5 starts on turf, 2-for-4 at this trip, McCarron takes over on McAnally trainee for this. Value Play -- Mi Antillana

8TH RACE:

Boss Ego - Stalked with 4-wide move and weakened to 5th in last, set pace and overtaken to finish 2nd before that, drops to claimer after half-dozen unsuccessful maiden-breaker attempts, McCarron stays on Ellis trainee, Boss here? Pettroff - Set pace and overtaken late when 2nd in last, stalked lead and 3rd while top pick was second before that, set pace when wore down late and runner-up three races back, another who drops to claimer after 15 attempts to break maiden, Antley takes over. Value Play -- Island Appeal

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