by ‘Catskill’ Steve Terjanian

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

Last Thursday, I had two winners and two scratches. My investment was cut to $12. After four weeks, I’m 0 for 4 and showing a loss of $59.

Yonkers Raceway Pick-5, Races 7-11, Thursday, May 5, 2016

$.50 play: 356/236/23/13/5 = $18

Analysis

Race 7: (6) Super Manning comes off a much improved uncovered try in marathon mile and a quarter distance event in first start for new barn, retains hot pilot and may offer some value. (5) Bingo Queen was a sick scratch as one of my picks last week. The 7-year-old is hard to gauge in current form and broke a couple of times down the stretch in latest but drops another notch, finds a better spot and is more than capable of perking up at this level. (3) Hidden Identity – streaking 9-year-old is hard to knock having taken four straight (the last three at this level) and, as usual, will try to control it.

Race 8: (2) Ohoka Texas N had pace finishing through :55.4 final half in latest after chasing a torrid 1:51 mile two back. Finds a better spot to set up his late kick and scored a game win at this level three back, the last time he had an inside slot. (3) Stompin Tom Creek faces tougher moving into high percentage barn but has been pacing some fast miles in recent and should be able to go with these. (6) Roethblissberger is razor sharp and has beaten the former in their last three meetings but has needed ground saving trips in his five recent wins with his only loss in his last six coming at this level. Must be included.

Race 9: (2) Stonebridge Tonic proved he can handle this level with a powerful score in second try for Allard. Looks hard to beat at short price. (3) Invictus Hanover left and tucked from seven-hole, chased top one home but was no match in scorching mile. The five-year-old was claimed off that improved try and now moves inside with more improvement expected.

Race 10: (1) Latoka raced well in The Standardbred Owner Association events after chasing Open company prior. Gets the rail and will likely be well placed. (3) Undercover Strike has come back from nine months on the shelf to take three out of four the most recent in fast trotted miles.

Race 11: (5) So Nice continues to race well against faster and comes off a tough uncovered try through :55.2 final half missing by less than four lengths. Drops off that effort and will likely be a handful at this level.