by Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Publicity Department

Ayers Ratliff offers his picks for the $10,000 Pick-4 at Northfield Park on Oct. 24, part of the USTA Strategic Wagering Program.

Northfield Park Pick-4, Races 8-11, Monday, Oct. 24, 2011

On Monday (Oct. 24), Northfield Park is again offering a $10,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick-4. The Pick-4 has a reduced take-out rate of just 14 percent (the lowest in harness racing) and starts in the eighth race.

Last Monday’s $36.00 posted ticket went four-for-four and hit for a mere $49.90. You have to pick what you like, even if it will not pay a lot, because cashing a modest ticket is better than cashing no ticket while trying to chase the longshots. Good luck!

$1 play: 1/1369/149/1 = $12

Race 8: (1) Trytopass Sam was a winner of this race last week, retains Noble and should score again.

Race 9: (1) Country Transit has the rail and some back class. (3) Big Black Jack figures well with this soft group. (6) Zeus’s Spirit. Another that has a shot and cannot be counted out. (9) Coin Of The Realm shows all sub-2:00 miles and that may just be enough to win in here.

Race 10: (1) Big City has the rail, has Noble and drops in class. (4) Samovar Hanover is another class dropper who has a chance to be there. (9) Cruisin Waverly has been facing better and pacing faster, hopefully he is over his sickness.

Race 11: (1) Brother Of Another was a winner of this race last week, should do it again.