by “Catskill” Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the $50,000 Pick-4 at Balmoral Park on Sept. 14, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Balmoral Park Pick-4, Races 11-14, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013

$1 play: 12310/459/346/7 = $36

Analysis:

Race 11: It’s Super Night at Balmoral and the Pick-4 starts with a truly super and competitive event. (3) Feel Like Dancing had a brutal early trip from eight hole in elim, parked three-wide to the quarter before getting the wood, continued on to miss by three lengths in solid but unlucky trip. (1) Dallas Jones beat many of these with powerful come from behind rally. Filly has been on the board in 24 of her 28 sophomore starts and is a main player although the rail may not be the best place for her. (2) Mystical Danica made a :56 middle half brush to the top, looked home free in the stretch only to get nailed by the former who needed a :27.2 final panel to blow by. Filly continues in sharp form and cannot be discounted. (10) Auniqueaquisition beat slightly lesser field in her elim off perfect trip but needed a :26.3 final quarter in first start in three weeks. Two back paced a 1:22.4 final three-quarters from nine hole and missed by less than a length finishing behind the 1 and 2 in here. Filly can certainly go with these and will likely offer some value in here with post 10 being the only knock.

Race 12: (9) Crankin It Up left and was parked past :27.3 opening quarter, chased a wicked 1:23.2 final three-quarters and gave way grudgingly late. Sophomore comes into final in sharp form and has obviously been pointing towards this. Draws nine hole and may be ready to turn the tables on his main rivals. (5) Mystical Walter outkicked the top one with game uncovered score in elim. Appears the best in this division right now and won’t go down without a fight. (4) Big Brad lacked a rally against top two last time at even money but may have bled as he adds lasix tonight. Finds a nice spot and can take it but will need best effort.

Race 13: (3) Truly Wild had solid rally in career debut two back, then had trouble closing into :56.2 final half last time. Finds better spot with plenty of room for improvement. (4) Gator Boy broke while making a move on the rim last time losing any chance. Prior were good efforts in fast miles. (6) Badger Quinn. I’m not real excited about taking likely favorite who has compiled an 0 for 8 record and broke past the start at 6-5 and never got into the race, but trainer Miller will have him ready for this and he has faced better than these in the past.

Race 14: (7) PQ Three. I’ll single this one who has been impressive, winning six of 10 lifetime tries and never finishing worse than second. Has beaten most of these at one time during the year and it looks like one of the others will have to improve to beat him in final.

Good luck!