by “Catskill” Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the $10,000 Pick-5 at Yonkers Raceway on September 29th, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Last Thursday, after a scratch my investment was $24 and, short of sounding like a broken record, had four winners ($14.00, $11.40, $6.60, $5.80) and, you guessed it, a place finisher. Also included were $31.80 & $12.20 exactas. I now stand at 1 for 22 for the meet and show a -$407.30 ledger.

Yonkers RacewayPick-5, Races 7-11, Thursday, September 29, 2016

$.50 play:127/135/25/15/24 = $36

Analysis:

Race 7: (7) Card Shock left and tucked from similar spot, made second move to go first up, bottoming out chasing :28 third panel. Two back chased a wicked pace and finished evenly for place in scorching 1:52 mile. The 5-year-old continues to race well in fast miles and may clear the front tonight. (1) Pams Legacy drops to the level of back-to-back wins in August and gets the rail in third try for new barn. (2) Rock Absorber had a tough uncovered trip pushing a hot third quarter in last and was claimed by barn that excels off claims. Figures to be a factor.

Race 8: A couple of sharp ones getting inside slots here. (1)Smooth Criminal had two-race win streak snapped when unable to hold off pocket-sitterin the final strides, claimed out of the race and can make amends. (3) Diabandorolled by late off pocket trip to cost me last Thursday’s Pick-5. Continues insharp form and will be tough. I picked (5) Billabong Beach last week shippingin off some solid tries at Tioga and he had a tough trip trying to close offslow pace, tipped three-wide and was unable to rally through :56.2 final half.Two back he launched a :54.3 middle half brush to the top passing a 1:22.1three-quarters and gamely holding place in 1:50.3 mile. The 5-year-old figuresto be tougher off last and has the look of the value play here.

Race 9: (2) Motu Moonbeam N rallied steadily fromtough spot in latest pacing a 1:24.3 final three-quarters. Two back was outearly on long uncovered grind, paced a :56.1 middle half and gamely held show.Mare has enjoyed a big year, finds a good spot and has speed to take them downthe road. (5) Amanderosa returns from Tioga where she had pace on both ends ofa snappy 1:52.1 mile. The 4-year-old raced well in two starts here prior andhas tactical speed to work out a trip.

Race 10: (5) Union Man Hanover takes a surprisingdrop after two sharp wins against tough and looks to have the best shot atgiving win-machine (1) Roethblissburger a battle in here. The later was claimedin latest off two strong wins against similar fields and, as usual, is the oneto beat.

Race 11: (4) Dojea Solo is in raging form andwired a similar group from seven-hole last time, tough chalk. (2) Crombie Afinished evenly chasing top one home through :55.2 final half in third startsince July. The 10-year-old won over $125,000 last year, has a class edge onthese and paced in 1:50.1 here last year. Finds a good spot and is capable ofbig mile.