by “Catskill” Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the $25,000 Pick-4 at Balmoral Park on March 29, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

I hit last night’s Pick-4 with an $18 investment. Payout came back $98.60. Looks like it could be a “chalky” gimmick bet tonight, but here goes.

Meet totals: 17 plays, three winning Pick-4s, +$225.50

Balmoral Park Pick-4, Races 7-10, Sunday, March 29, 2015

$1 play: 26/17/25/89 = $16

Analysis:

Race 7: Two sharp favorites to start tonight’s Pick-4. The streaky (2) Camwiser shoots for fifth straight and fourth at this level and gets position edge on his main rival (6) AJ Get’s The Money who goes for sixth win of the year. This one should benefit from small field, leave the gate as he did last week, work out a ground saving trip behind top one and give that one all he can handle late. Either should take it.

Race 8: (7) Miriam’s Jet was a strong uncovered winner last time, pacing :56.2 final half en route to easy win. Prior were tough trips from nine hole and a solid win at this level to begin the month. (1) One Jazzy Lady has been a disappointment to start her 4-year-old campaign going 0 for 3 and burning plenty of money, unable to hold on in any of her starts. Gets the rail and will be heavily backed again but one must remember she’s just 2 for 25 career-wise and might be a bit of a risk.

Race 9: (2) Seeyouatthefinish paced a :54.1 final half which included a :26.4 kicker, rallying boldly to just miss against tougher. Mare won’t offer much value here but is far better than these on her day. (5) Always About Katey has yet to come close to the form she displayed last year when she won more than $100,000 and took a 1:51.3 mark at Hoosier, but showed improved speed last time when she was used a bit to get the top, set a fast clip chasing a :27.3 third quarter before weakening. May be coming around off that speed tightener and looks like the toughest foe.

Race 10: (8) Jovanna had a tough fourth over trip off a slow pace, rallied strongly late, finishing with :26.3 final quarter, making up a ton of ground down the stretch; remains sharp and can roll by late with likely faster early fractions. (9) Soft Velvet will offer some value from this spot. Mare stayed along the pylons and made up 9-1/4 lengths through second quarter while appearing to be overloaded with pace, had nowhere to go down the lane under a snug hold, finished with pace in unlucky mile. Will have to leave from this spot but is capable of doing so and is dangerous if she does.

Good luck!