by “Catskill” Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the guaranteed $10,000 Pick-5 pool at Yonkers Raceway on Tuesday (July 16), part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Just missed last night, tabbing four out of five legs and losing three horse photo in Leg 5 with 7-1 shot who had the lead turning for home only to fall short nearing the wire in game effort. To be honest, if I had taken two or three horses in final leg, I wouldn’t have hit it. Two nice priced winners in Malicious ($16.00) and Foreign Officer ($15.60). Back to the drawing board.

$.50 play: 235/36/35/17/145 = $36

Analysis:

Race 5: (2) Keystone Raptor moves inside after rallying nicely from difficult spot in fast paced mile and first try at reduced level. (3) Cash Cab qualified back sharply for high percentage barn off three weeks on the bench and has some back class. (5) Shotgun A chased tougher from the pocket, finishing in :27.4 to nail place; two back paced a :56 final half in mile that went in 1:52.3. Is another with back class in here and will likely try the front.

Race 6: (6) Dawson City broke maiden against weaker from eight hole at Monticello last time, following a good placing from seven hole at this level two back. Improving sophomore can take these down the road. (3) Show Stopping had eight hole last time following two good placings in the slop at this level. Moves inside and looks to be a factor.

Race 7: (3) King Harvest had even pace chasing quick final half in race he likely needed. Put in some solid miles at Freehold back in May. Finds good spot and looks as good as any in here. (5) David On Ice had steady rally from eight hole last time. Is just 1 for 19 lifetime but top try should make him a factor.

Race 8: (1) Bettorsluckystreak is a consistent sort (13 times first or second in 17 lifetime starts) that ships to Yonkers off two solid placings against NY breds in stakes events, the latest unable to catch much the best winner at Goshen and two back a nose loser in 1:52 mile at Vernon. Gets the rail and figures to be well placed. (7) Beach Terror is a Saratoga shipper that rated the pace and just failed to hold on in sparkling 1:53.4 mile; making just fourth start of the year and first over half-miler in a long while. Draws outside but doesn’t need the lead to win.

Race 9: As usual competitive final leg. (1) Bakken took a ton of money last time from seven hole and charged home with :55.1 final half but just had too far to come. (4) Bigrisk blasted out from six hole, set a well rated pace and was the easiest of winners against weaker. Steps up but can continue to move forward. (5) Clint Westwood grinded uncovered a long way past a 1:22.4 three-quarters against top Pennsylvania bred sophomores at Pocono last time and didn’t fade badly considering the trip. Was second at this level two back in 1:54 mile and looks to have big shot for barn whose stable star trotted the fastest mile for a sophomore filly in the history of the sport this past Saturday night.

Good luck.