Catskill Steve offers his picks for the $20,000 Pick-4 at Balmoral Park on May 17 part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Balmoral Park Pick-4, Races 10-13, Saturday, May 17, 2014

$1 play: 146/238/4/3 = $9

Analysis:

Race 10: As usual, a tough Saturday night Pick-4. (4) Brief’s Boy finished with :54 flat final half from impossible spot last time and has recorded sub 27-second final quarters in last two. Moves inside and can roll by late. (6) Lucky Crusader has chased fast miles in last two. Is winless on the year but took a mark of 1:52 here last year and looks dangerous at a price on best. (1) Jerrico adds lasix off a sick scratch and a no shot try from post 9. Gets the rail and is capable of better.

Race 11: (3) Stamped By Design never got involved from post 9 last time after unleashing a :26.3 second quarter brush to the top and bottoming out chasing a wicked 1:23.3 three quarters, did well to hold show. Veteran 9-year-old gets Delong back, who handles him well, and looks set to snap year-long slump. (2) Holy Chip has raced gamely at this level in last two and looks like the one to beat. I’ll give (8) Major Male one more shot at a price after tiring in a front-end try from post 10 last time. Veteran finished with sub 27 second final quarters in prior tries and may revert back to an off the pace try in a race that could produce quick early fractions.

Race 12: (4) Master Of Desire broke when last seen at Balmoral back in April. The 7-year-old was pacing some huge miles at Miami Valley against Open Company earlier in the year and is capable of far better than he showed at Hoosier in last two. Should prove hard to beat at this level and I’ll single him.

Race 13: (3) Jps Mini Me paced a :54.4 middle half on long uncovered grind, challenged the likely favorite in here and held gamely for place in third start of the year. Pacer was winless all last year but may have improved over the winter and has a mark of 1:54 here as a freshman two years ago. Gets the nod from better spot. Any one of a number of others in here is capable of taking it if top one fails so, to keep costs down, I’ll make the 3 another single.

Good Luck!