by ‘Catskill’ Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the $10,000 Pick-5 at Yonkers Raceway on April 28, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Last Thursday, I invested $16 and wasn’t close tabbing just two winners. After three weeks, I’m 0 for 3 and showing a loss of $47.

Yonkers Raceway Pick-5, Races 7-11, Thursday, April 28, 2016

$.50 play: 3567/12/23/14/47 = $32

Analysis

Race 7: (3) Bingo Queen is hard to gauge in current form and broke a couple of times down the stretch in latest but drops another notch, finds a better spot and is capable of perking up at this level. (7) Swishnflick broke past the start in latest, recovered and trotted a 1:26.1 final three quarters to miss by 2-1/4 lengths. Mare was in Open Company here this past winter and now takes a key drop to race at the lowest level she’s been at in a while and has a chance with these. (5) Hidden Identity and (6) Cousin Eddie have both had solid years to date, remain razor sharp and both are threats to go down the road.

Race 8: This looks like a battle between the two chalks who draw posts one & two. (1) Stonebridge Toxic steps up off a huge uncovered try battling gamely to the wire only to be nosed out in sparkling 1:51 mile making first start for high percentage barn. (2) Nassau County has shown improvement since joining new barn and was a powerful wire to wire winner at this level last time.

Race 9: (3) Elisaveta N never got involved in latest following a series of competitive tries against tougher. Finds a better spot at reduced level and figures to be well placed. (2) Kamwood Laughter N broke past the start last time, recovered and rolled by this level taking a new lifetime mark in the process making first start for strong barn. Don’t know what’s left in the tank but it’s hard to dismiss that mile.

Race 10: (1) Money Maven seemed to be tailing off a bit after racing well in Open Company all winter. Came back off close to a month’s freshening and put in a good uncovered try. Drops to the lowest level he’s been at in a while and gets the rail. (4) Celebrity Bombay hasn’t been seen since last October but returns off some good preps over Florida training tracks for solid trot barn that returns them ready, gets Sears and figures to be a key player.

Race 11: (4) Sir Jillian Z Tam left and tucked, made second move to go uncovered, pushed a :28.2 third panel and weakened. Finds a better spot in second try at reduced level and this winner of better than $120,000 a year ago can outmuscle this group to the wire. (7) Royal Knockout returns from Harah’s, draws outside and will offer some value. The 7-year-old was used hard getting the lead last time, chased a quick third panel and expired. Two back went first up past a 1:23.4 three quarters and understandably weakened. Was facing far tougher here in last visit and beat better back in November. Has the speed to overcome post and can be a factor.