by “ Catskill” Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the $25,000 Pick-4 at Balmoral Park on Aug. 2, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Last night, I invested $8 and had two winners and two place finishers.

Meet totals: 48 plays, nine winning Pick-4s, +$224.50

Balmoral Park Pick-4, Races 7-10, Sunday, Aug, 2, 2015

$1 play: 378/178/510/67= $36

Analysis:

Race 7: (8) Rocknroll Crystal made a power brush to the top, pacing wicked :54.4 middle half, looked like a winner halfway down the stretch but weakened late from her earlier effort, doing well to just miss in three horse photo. (3) Foxy Ellie has been chasing Illinois bred stakes fillies through fast miles in recent, takes a key drop and, although she has never beaten this kind in the past, has tactical speed to be a major player from this spot. (7) Bonjour Madam is 0 for 9 on the year and just two for her last 40 but returns from Maywood off decent closing try and finished strongly for place at this level, pacing a :57 final half when last seen at Balmoral.

Race 8: (8) Southern Special may be a step or two behind Illinois-bred stakes caliber sophomores, making an early break in latest but was a powerful winner in fast time two back at this level and figures to go big again. (7) Amazed is a smooth gaited 6-year-old who chased top one home for place in that fast mile. Has had trouble winning but appears to have a shot here. (1) Big Expense won career debut like a good one, trotting an impressive 1:56.4 mile, but getting the rail may not be an advantage and lack of experience could tell.

Race 9: (5) Wings was parked past a quick quarter before securing the pocket, ralled by late with :27.4 final stanza to earn lifetime mark, easily defeating weaker. Steps up off that confidence building win and gets key driver switch to Hiteman who steered her to a fast finishing show finish from post 10 two back.(10) Love This Place was far back early from similar spot, uncorked a :54.4 final half, making up a ton of ground to miss by two lengths. The classy 9-year-old powered past a few of these, including top one, two back and is capable of taking this if “Double O” gets her into the race.

Race 10: (6) Fox Valley Lyn looks a bit risky to say the least, making early breaks in two of her three Balmoral starts, but did finish with a :55.1 final half with today’s pilot in her only clean trip and can show speed as she did in her preps at Springfield. (7) Frontier Sarah appears the sharpest in here and held off top one’s late rally two back.

Good luck!