by “Catskill” Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the $10,000 Pick-4 at Balmoral Park on June 4, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Checking up on “Catskill” Steve: I had two out of four winners with two place finishes on both Wednesday and Sunday nights and one out of four on Saturday, also with two place finishes. New week starts tonight.

Balmoral Park Pick-4, Races 6-9, Wednesday, June 4, 2014

$1 play: 34/47/45/179 = $24

Analysis:

Race 6: (3) Prairie Thunder elected to sit in and was shuffled back, slipped out past three-quarters and flew home down the stretch, pacing a sparkling :25.4 final quarter to finish second. The 4-year-old won’t offer much value but looks set in third seasonal start. (4) Cottonland Gem blasted out from seven-hole but wound up three-wide on the first turn, continued on to the top, carved out fastest pace of the night and didn’t fade badly. Gets improved position and looks like top one’s main foe.

Race 7: (7) Parklane Sparkle has finished with :56 and :56.3 final halves in two career starts. Draws outside which may actually benefit this filly’s closing ability and may be ready to move forward. (4) Ola Hanover also showed a good closing kick last time, following top one’s cover and finishing just behind her, coming home with :26.3 final panel.

Race 8: (5) B Man recovered from an early miscue and wound up parked the mile, didn’t fade badly considering the trip through :58.1 final half. The 4-year-old has raced well at Balmoral over fast tracks and may be a handful tonight. (4) Bells Moped had no shot closing off slow pace last time and was impeded from nine-hole two back. Prior were solid tries at this level and now, getting Casey back, deserves a long look.

Race 9: (7) Kitty O’Brien is a streaky mare that has found her best stride again and comes off a solid placing, finishing in :26.3 following a long uncovered trip. (1) Seeking For Glamour is razor sharp and ultra consistent at this level; finds a good spot to set up her brush and is the one to beat. I’ll throw in (9) Carnoustie for a bit of a price. Mare draws another outside post but showed improved speed from better post last time and may try leaving for a trip tonight; her best puts her right into the thick of this.

Good luck!