by ‘Catskill’ Steve Terjanian

‘Catskill’ Steve Terjanian offers his picks for the $25,000 Pick-4 at Yonkers Raceway on Oct. 9, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Yonkers Raceway Pick-4, Races 7-10, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012

$1 play: 123/367/57/2 = $18

Analysis:

Race 7: I’ll start tonight’s Pick-4 with three class horses starting from posts one, two and three who have combined for more than $2.25 million in their careers. (1) Ghee’s House has been lightly raced this year but appears to have sharpened at Freehold after some dismal efforts against far tougher than these back in mid-summer. (2) Glass Pack comes off some game uncovered miles at Freehold and picks up Brennan in Yonkers return. (3) Pangiorno was on the shelf for nine months to start the 2012 season after leaving 2011 in Open company and finishing the year with close to $250,000 in season’s earnings. Debuts for new barn off a good speed tightening mile from six hole at Vernon last time. Good matchup if all are close to right.

Race 8: I’m looking to get a little bit of a price in leg 2 and I’ll use (3) Riccaras Star who took a ton of money in first local start and may have disliked the sloppy going but was still able to finish with :57.3 final half. Makes second start off purchase by Banca, who usually improves them, after racing against stakes company on the Maritime circuit with trainer in the bike, and looks worth another shot from better spot. (6) Savannah Splendor never got involved from eight hole in last following a sharp rally for place in the mud two back. Gets key driver switch and should be charging late. (7) Veto Hanover weakened at 4-5 in Yonkers debut after forcing a :28.3 third quarter uncovered over sloppy surface. Well bred colt put in some solid tries at Pocono and north of the border before shipping in and could be set with better trip in third start for powerful Burke barn.

Race 9: (5) Tiger Williams has been sharpened in two useful qualifiers at Pocono; gets the “minister of speed” and may be too quick for these. (7) Pointed Victory has done the most winning of any in here over past two years. Draws tough spot after catching sloppy tracks in last two but is the other with speed in here and will likely blast for trip.

Race 10: (2) Cold Bath had eight hole last time and was impeded past the half, recovered and had some pace, finishing in :28.1 over sloppy track. Two back made a strong brush to the top and held sway in a fast 1:53.2 mile against this type, also over sloppy track and from similar spot to tonight’s. Likely to be well placed for high percentage barn.

Good luck.