by “Catskill Steve” Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the guaranteed $10,000 pool in the Pick-5 at Yonkers Raceway on Jun. 18, 2013 part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Yonkers Raceway Pick-5, Races 5-9, Tuesday, June 18, 2013.

$.50 play: 356/16/37/25/678 = $36

Analysis:

Race 5: (5) Sweet Joe had no shot from 8-hole at Tioga last time which followed a wide trip from the 7-hole in the Yonkers slop against better two back. Drops and gets Brennan for barn that does very well with its limited stock. Philadelphia invader (3) Pilgrims All In is 8-5 on the morning line having shown sharp speed in recent tries including a 1:54.3 score two back but quit in two of his last 3 and showed erratic tendencies prior. Lack of small track experience is another reason he’s slightly suspect. (6) Whatever Lolawants, a sure-gaited mare returns off good two-move try at Saratoga and was facing tougher than these when last seen at Yonkers; has the back class to go with these.

Race 6: Wide open second leg with pacers who haven’t shown a world of ability as of yet. I’ll try the (1) Nutmegs Maya who raced against stakes freshmen in Kentucky last year. Hasn’t done much in two Meadowlands tries this year but now switches to the half-miler, gets the rail and The White Knight. (Note: his lone try on the program over the half-miler was a solid front-end try over The Delaware, Ohio surface); may prove best. Also going to include (6) Easton Bound who paced a :56.2 middle half at The Meadowlands before weakening and was wiped out in last Yonkers try two back. Gets huge driver switch and is the only one in here to have won a race this year (1:58.3 at Freehold on 5/2).

Race 7: (3) Mcardle Park was a bit short off 4 weeks on the bench but still finished willingly with a :28.4 final panel. Winner of better than $100K in 2012 figures to be tighter tonight and finds a good spot. (7) Dollars Bromac N chased a wickedly fast mile for this type at Philadelphia in last. Draws tough spot in local return but has raced ok here in the past and could be dangerous if “The Catman” gets him involved early.

Race 8: Another wide-open event. (2) Art For Arts Sake has done little against tougher. Takes sharp drop and should improve at this level. (5) Cheyenne Oxe had pace finishing in the slop two back then put in a game effort in mile that went in 1:53.3 last time. Gets good spot to set up his late kick and will likely be charging late.

Race 9: I’ll wrap it up with the 3 horses starting from outside. (6) Only Rock N Roll sharpened at Monticello defeating two razor sharp pacers in latest and has had nothing but tough spots in all his recent tries at Yonkers. (7) Secret’s Out draws outside but will likely be gunned by Sears and could prove tough near the top. (8) Babe’s I Scoot had little at Philadelphia last time following a decent try in the slop and a strong front–end try at this level prior.