by ‘Catskill’ Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the $10,000 Pick-5 at Yonkers Raceway on April 7, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

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

50-cent play: 156/13/678/246/4 = $27

Analysis

Race 7: I’ll use a few to start tonight’s Pick-5. (6) Cherry Bliss missed by a neck following a sharp uncovered try in Yonkers return after two even efforts in 1:51.2 and 1:52.2 miles at The Meadowlands prior. (1) Hipnumberone has been chasing faster from tough posts in recent, drops, gets the rail and winner of over $100,000 a year ago should be a major player looking to improve on slow 2016 start. (5) Drivingthedragon N was claimed by high percentage barn off a powerful uncovered score in latest, chance with these.

Race 8: This one shapes up as a two horse race with (1) Heretic Franco N getting the rail at a lesser level in third start on these shores after flashing good speed against better and (3) Lyons Shadow who made a :27.2 third quarter brush to the top and was unable to hold off the closers at 4-5 in latest following an uncovered try at 3-5 two back chasing a sparkling 1:51.1 Yonkers mile.

Race 9: (6) Four Boys finished evenly after pacing a :54.4 middle half making up 9-1/2 lengths last time. The 5-year-old was claimed back for high percentage barn and has been racing gamely at this level. (8) Sign To Inverell A has shown improvement since being dropped to this level and beat top one, among others, in latest with game wire-to-wire score. (7) Ohoka Texas N had sharp pace finishing with 1:22.3 final three-quarters in same race as top pair. Down under 9-year-old has had a disappointing early few months to start the year but may be coming around and looks like the value play if track should come up “good”.

Race 10: (2) Hands Off Frank was claimed back by barn he raced well in back in March taking a season’s mark in the process, hasn’t beaten this level as of yet but comes off a game place try against lesser and may be set now. I’ll throw in (4) Rockstar Stride who is in razor sharp form and (6) Summer Camp who put in a solid try upon shipping in from Dover last time showing much improved speed for aggressive pilot.

Race 11: I’ll single (4) Pasadena Star who ships in from Saratoga where he was facing Open company at added distances in recent. The 5-year-old won at this level back in March, the last time he raced at conventional mile distance, and now returns and finds a spot where he can leave for a trip.

Good Luck!