by “Catskill” Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the $20,000 Pick-4 at Balmoral Park on August 8 part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Checking up on Catskill Steve: Last Sunday, I invested $36 and had two winners and a place finisher.

Meet totals: 49 plays, nine winning Pick-4’s +$188.50

Balmoral Park Pick-4, Races 9-12, Saturday, August 8, 2015

$1 play: 34/29/68/238 = $24

Analysis:

Race 9: (3) Dixies Boy and (4) Earndawg have the most ability of any in here. The former recovered from an early miscue from post nine, paced a 1:21 final three-quarters doing well to miss by two lengths to top one, moves inside and could take it. Earndawg has been a model of consistency racking up over $60,000 on the year mainly against stakes foes and will likely try to control it.

Race 10: Difficult race. (9) Always About Katey draws a tough post returning from Hoosier off two rough uncovered trips, the latest in a 1:51.4 mile. Mare has a class edge on these and figures to be following live cover. (2) Love This Place has had post 10 in last two tries, paced :55.3 and :54.4 final halves but has had too far to come. The 9-year-old hasn’t beaten this type in a while but is another with back class who is capable of upsetting with the move inside and a position closer to the top turning for home.

Race 11: (8) Whistle Pig returns from Hoosier where she showed speed in latest, a dimension which is uncommon to her and not her best style. The 8-year-old races well at Balmoral and has beaten better than this level in the past. (6) Windy City Diane was my single last week, went down the road and couldn’t hold off monster pocket-sitter doing well to hold place, tough at this level.

Race 12: (2) Endeavors King paced some fast final quarters against far tougher when last seen at Balmoral, returns from Hoosier where he’s been chasing fast miles and could surprise in finale. (3) Part Time finished strongly for place behind dropdown winner in much improved try, chance with these. (8) Tea Party Patriot had an impossible fifth-over spot and was last at three-quarters, flashed sharp late kick finishing in :26.3 final panel to land show. The well bred 4-year-old has never lived up to his promise but has been racing better and can be dangerous with the right trip.

Good Luck!