by Bob Pandolfo

Bob Pandolfo offers his picks for the $50,000 Pick-4 at Meadowlands Racetrack on March 2, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Meadowlands Pick-4, Races 6-9, Friday, March 2, 2012

I didn’t hit last, minus $16, which brings the total to minus $419 for the first 24 nights; I haven’t hit one so far this meet. I’m going to stick with small tickets; even though it’s tough to hit one it keeps my average loss low and I can recoup with one nice hit.

$1 play: 57/45/15/39 = $16

Analysis:

Race 6: Tonight’s Pick-4 starts out with the first leg of the Overbid for the sport’s top pacing mares and the race came up huge and features five millionaires. (7) Chancey Lady qualified well and could be some value from off the pace. (5) Anndrovette was the top mare last year, won the Breeders Crown. There are several ways you could go here but I’ll try these two.

Race 7: (5) Ronettica is 15-1 on the morning line but fits for this price tag; comes off a dull effort against tougher which she probably needed. (4) Elleofnxample folded when put on the point in the slop but her two prior starts make her the one to beat here.

Race 8: (5) Laguna Beach made two moves into a hot pace from post nine and was a good third behind Oscar Oscar, the horse that I feel is the one to beat in this series. I’m tempted to single him but this is a tough field so I’ll also use (1) Alastair Hanover, who comes off a sharp two move win.

Race 9: (3) Up Front Ben has been facing slower trotters at the Meadows but could improve for new connections. (9) Four Starz Credit drops off a front end try and is the one to beat.