by ‘Catskill’ Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the $10,000 Pick-5 at Yonkers Raceway on April 21, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Last Thursday, as I figured, four out of five legs were taken by short priced winners. I had those four but missed leg two having only one horse going due to the lame scratch of my priced shot. My loss was $4. After two weeks, I’m zero for two and showing a loss of $31.

Yonkers Raceway Pick-5, Races 7-11, Thursday, April 21, 2016

50-cent play: 27/56/56/56/78 = $16

Analysis

Race 7: (2) Jets Are On ships up from Florida where she’s been chasing Open company through torrid miles. Lacks much recent small track experience but finds a good spot and should fit with these. (7) Rock My World draws tough post but takes key drop and has the speed to be a major player at a fair price.

Race 8: (6) Dallenbach Hanover the fast 9-year-old made two moves from seven-hole pushed hard but couldn’t clear past a 1:24.3 three quarters and didn’t fade badly considering. Just failed to hold on in 1:53.3 mile two back and scored sharp victories in 1:53.3 and 1:52.3 miles prior. Sharp veteran may shake loose tonight. (5) Box Car Johnnie has been a hot item at the claim box in recent weeks and now drops to winning level for barn that scored three straight wins with him back in March, main player here.

Race 9: (5) Nassau County slipped out down the backstretch into a tough third-over spot, tipped four wide and flew home in :27.4 to just miss. Steps up off that effort and may offer some value. (6) Jones Beach ships in off a lifetime best mile at Pocono and has been up against better than these most of the year including Open company in Chicago to start his season.

Race 10: (5) Hazmatt was competitive in the Blue Chip Series recently after reeling off five straight wins, three at this level. Tough chalk. (6) Caviart Scarlett is eight for 10 on the year including two out of three at Yonkers against this level. Has displayed a sharp turn of speed in a number of her starts, and looks to be the one with the best shot at beating the top one.

Race 11: I’ll try a bit of a price in final leg with (8) Massive Talent who returns from Pocono in sharp form off two solid placings after enduring a brutal overland trip at extra distance event against this level three back doing well to land show. (7) A Little More Love was in Open company at The Meadowlands this past winter and was competitive in a few starts. The 4-year-old seems to prefer the half-mile ovals and now returns to that venue after racing in sharp form at Saratoga.