by “Catskill” Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the $15,000 Pick-4 at Balmoral Park on March 7, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Checking up on Catskill Steve: On Sunday, I invested $24 and had the first two winners paying nice mutuels ($22.00 and $15.40) but wasn’t close in the final two legs.

Meet totals: 10 plays, one winning Pick-4, +$49.30

Balmoral Park Pick-4, Races 9-12, Saturday, March 7, 2015

$1 play: 36/1810/78/45 = $24

Analysis:

Race 9: (3) Ice Scrapper is a speedy 6-year-old that took them down the road on very windy night and just failed to last. (6) Iam Bonasera is a classy 8-year-old that has regained top form since returning from The Meadowlands, reeling off three straight in easy fashion; steps up but has beaten far better than these in his career and will be tough to deny.

Race 10: Competitive bunch and a tough race to handicap. (1) Camwiser steps up off what was a likely confidence building win more than anything else last time, gets the rail and is “Double Oo’s” choice over two others in here. (10) Meadowbrook Samson had pace on both ends two back, then made a sharp uncovered third quarter move into the wind against determined front runner and gamely held place. Sharp pacer will offer value and post seems only knock. (8) Crime Of Passion returns from Maywood off good speed try on arctic-like night and drops back in for a tag. Once formidable pacer in his younger years hasn’t been close to that form he displayed back then but races best at Balmoral and is always a threat at levels like this on his best.

Race 11: Hard to have much confidence in a field that has compiled a 2 for 179 combined career record. I’ll use (7) Diamond Desire Ivy who appears to have the most early speed of any in here and (8) Shifttanextgear who has raced gamely uncovered in last two.

Race 12: (5) Jm’sdukeofdelight was parked past the half before getting the top on windy night, bottomed out chasing :28.4 third quarter in improved try. Can move forward from better spot. (4) Beachside Bungalow was much improved in second start of the year and second for strong barn. The 5-year-old faced stakes company last year and will be tough to beat with any more improvement off that last start.

Good luck!