by “Catskill Steve” Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the guaranteed $10,000 Pick-5 pool at Yonkers Raceway on July 15, 2013, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Not close last Monday or Tuesday but did have 3 out of 5 legs both nights including a nice $16.00 winner on Tuesday. Good Luck!

Yonkers Raceway Pick-5, Races 5-9, Monday, July 15, 2013.

$.50 play: 147/4/246/138/6 = $13.50

Analysis:

Race 5: (1) Keemosabe paced a :55.2 middle half brushing to the top only to make an unfortunate break turning for home. Gets the rail in second try at reduced level and will likely be odds on. I haven’t made too many singles in the column and the one’s that I have made all lost. I will therefore include (4) Malicious who takes a sharp drop and is likely to improve and an interesting foe in (7) Stonebridge Tonic who is 0 for 12 on the year but seems to have a fondness for The Empire City strip having taken a 1:51.2 mark here last year. He missed by a neck in solid speed try two back in local return, pacing a 1:53.3 mile and then finished with wicked :54.4 final half last time. Draws tough spot but drops and gets “Double Digit” Dube back and may be live at a price.

Race 6: Speaking of NOT using singles, I am going to try (4) Trevor’s Bebe as my single who, except for an 8-hole trip here two back, has been much improved. Wired her NY bred opponents in Excelsior Series at Historic Track last time breaking her maiden in 1:57.2, a very fast mile for this type over one of the slower half-milers in the sport and three back put in an ultra-game uncovered try in 1:52.1 mile at Vernon. Filly seems heading in the right direction and hopefully won’t be hammered too heavy at the windows.

Race 7: This one looks wide open. (2) Wynsum Magic disappointed last time as my single. Had even pace at 6-5 with no rally or excuse for that matter. Gets position edge on main rivals and I have to include him to possible atone. (4) White Mountain Boy chased some blistering miles at Pocono then shipped to Saratoga and carved out a quick pace before tiring. Beat better here in May and should go well at this reduced level. (6) Diablo Seelster returns from Pocono off game two-move win against weaker. Likely to be riding live cover from this spot and value should be there.

Race 8: (1) Foreign Officer has had tough spots in last two, one here and one at Pocono. Takes key drop, gets the rail and is one of three with a class edge in here. As I commented when I did the Pick-4 Strategic Wagering Picks, I have always been a fan of (3) Jerry’s Brown Gold from his NYSS days a few years back. He is another, along with the 1, with a class edge in here and, although he doesn’t win as often these days, he finds himself dropping to the level of an overpowering 8-1/2 length romp here back in May with Brennan who hops aboard tonight. The (8) Classic Rock Nroll raced in The Levy Series here in early spring, Invitational and Preferred Company up in Canada after that before returning here last time and showing good pace finishing in 1:51.2 mile. Hasn’t been this low in a long time and is the key to the race if Goodell can get him into the action.

Race 9: Another single to keep our costs down. (6) King’s Legend broke early in last, recovered and made up good ground through middle half, understandably weakened late. Two back made a nice wide backstretch move and finished evenly against tougher. Makes third start for new barn and may be charging late in another wide open event.