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

Friday's card

1ST RACE:

Roman Cuzzin - Game on-the-pace victory off 18-month layoff while claimed in last, won only start of 1998 before that, in the quinella 12 of 26 lifetime starts with 9 victories, Espinoza stays for new connections, could come right back. King Strut - Rallied off the pace and won going away in last, runner-up in prior pair of starts, steps up a level now, Pincay returns for hot trainer Mitchell, good post, big chance to Strut stuff again here. Value Play -- Sahara King

2ND RACE:

Flaming Cloud - Wide and no threat in last, 4 wide and outrun in debut before that, drops to claimer now, most recent work a sharp drill from the gate on the 11th, adds blinkers and Desormeaux stays, expect marked improvement here. Mantilla - Off slowly and in tight from rail post while splitting the field with debut 5th in last, smart Del Mar work since raced, draws rail post again, hustling Espinoza takes over for injured Delahoussaye now, prompt start necessary here. Value Play -- Echoes Of Love

3RD RACE:

Sunley Seeker - Dueled lead and faded to 5th on Hollypark lawn in last, loomed up and held close 3rd before that, 2 of 4 career starts on the tan, freshened with solid drills since raced, significant drop in class for return, Berrio/Avila combo. Princess Candi - Off the pace and drew away to win over this track in last, won half of 8 prior starts, draws good rail post here, hustling Espinoza returns on Spawr trainee, Princess can get the Candi again. Value Play -- Blue Talent

4TH RACE:

Astrology - Dueled lead 3 deep and weakened to split field when 4th in last, off-the-pace along for 3rd before that, draws a better post now, drops a level now, Ramsammy stays, graduation in the stars here? Head'n Home - Returns to races with solid works, distant 3rd at Golden Gate mid-June in last, runner-up at this distance before that, twice runner-up at Anita in March, well placed for southland return, needs clear trip from rail post. Value Play -- Lead Counsel

5TH RACE:

Magnificent Marks - Rolled up the rail to win while re-claimed by trainer Chapman in last, 3 of 9 lifetime victories from 6 starts at Del Mar, steps up off the claim, Gomez reunites for new connections, Mark should make Mark late again. Air Affair - Rail rally late for close Hollypark runner-up at this trip in last, stalked and weakened to 5th before that, most recent drill a sharp move on the 3rd, drops another notch here, hustling Puglisi takes over. Value Play -- Plumazo

6TH RACE:

Trophy Wife - 4 wide closing runner-up on Hollypark lawn late May in last, close runner-up in U. S. debut on same before that, steady works with most recent pair of moves at Del Mar, McCarron takes over on Drysdale trainee for return. Ta Ta Be True - Just missed when 2nd by a head while wide over this course in last, photo-finish runner-up on turf in 2 of 3 prior starts, draws better post, Gomez returns, in the quinella in both Del Mar grass stars with a victory. Value Play -- Luminous Prize

7TH RACE:

Barter Town - Game 2nd by a neck in Grade II Bel Air Handicap at Hollypark in last, another 2nd by a neck in Grade III All American Handicap at Golden Gate before that, sharp right now, must overcome outside post though. Refried Dreams - Battled gate-to-wire victory at Hollypark early-July in last, won 2 of 3 prior starts, in the quinella 9 of 18 starts at this distance with 7 of 12 lifetime victories, most recent bullet Del Mar drill on the 8th signals readiness. Value Play -- Kona Wind

8TH RACE:

Bit of Wheat - 4 wide and even run in last, dueled lead and game between foes when close 3rd before that, stretches out now and draws inside post, should be a forward factor to graduate in this spot. Flying Carousel - Stumbled at the start and split field when 6th on Golden Gate lawn in last, 4th in prior pair of lifetime outings while claimed two races back, returns to southland, drops back for a tag and Solis takes over for this. Value Play -- Honor Her Presence

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