by “Catskill” Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the $10,000 Pick-5 pool at Yonkers Raceway on Nov. 25, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Yonkers Raceway Pick-5, Races 5-9, Monday, Nov. 25, 2013

$.50 play: 135/456/245/26/6 = $27

Analysis:

Race 5: (3) Abundasass invades from Pocono where he’s been showing speed against slightly faster and may carry his speed a long way switching to the smaller oval. (1) Game Changer has been racing in sharp form at Monticello without winning. Gets the pole in local debut and should be well placed. (5) Get Packin returns to the level of three wins in his last four starts and must be included on ticket.

Race 6: (5) Shake It Up High left alertly from similar spot, pulled the pocket past a slow half and exploded with :56.2 final half to easily handle this type. (6) JK Cheerleader comes off a solid try from eight hole and finished in front of top one two back; key player here. (4) The Real Tone is a Pocono invader who doesn’t win often but had speed on both ends of latest effort and gets aggressive pilot in local debut.

Race 7: (2) Cheyenne Reider has been competitive against tougher through fast miles, faces lesser tonight and gets good spot and a likely pocket trip. (4) Riding With P responded with strong mile from improved post last time, brushing to the top off slow pace and powering home with :55.4 final half to beat weaker. Steps up but can finish fast and this race may set up for a closer. (5) Upfront Countryboy steps up in sharp form and is another that finishes fast.

Race 8: (6) Big Time Rocks has had trouble winning this year going just one for 30 but has looked better in recent weeks including latest effort, racing overland the entire mile at Pocono and still able to rally for show with :28.1 final quarter. Should go well for a tag and picks up Zeron, one of Canada’s best pilots who is trying to make a go of it on the tough Eastern circuit. (2) Blended Whiskey returns from Pocono where he left in :26, yielded to chase from the pocket, rallied but just fell short, pacing :28.2 kicker to miss by a head in 1:50.2 mile. Raced well against tougher here prior and looks like key player from improved position.

Race 9: (6) Money Twitch A returns from Saratoga where he had eight hole against Open company last time, was dead last turning for home and finished overloaded with pace (home in :27.4) to nail show. Was in against far tougher when last seen at Yonkers and may be some value in final leg of Pick-5.

Good luck!