by “Catskill” Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the $15,000 Pick-4 at Balmoral Park on Feb. 7, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Checking up on Catskill Steve: Heavy snow and a sloppy track welcomed the pacers and trotters back last Saturday. I tabbed two short priced winners and lost $8. For the year, I’m in the black for $219.30.

Balmoral Park Pick-4, Races 9-12, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015

$1 play: 156/47/67/78 = $24

Analysis:

Race 9: (1) Shine And Shimmer went down the road to wire Open company at Miami Valley in latest and was facing tough mares at Dover and Harrah’s Philadelphia prior. Should fit with these and is Oosting’s choice over a couple in here. (6) Wings started the new year off where she left off in 2014 with a strong score against some of these. The 7-year-old is at her career peak and must be respected. (5) Ryleigh’s Lilly has missed a month but qualified back in powerful fashion and strong finisher finds a good spot to set up her late kick and will likely get a quick pace to close off of.

Race 10: (4) Crime Of Passion took some money from post nine, coming off a sick scratch at Miami Valley, and broke before the start. Had been racing better against tougher prior and was sharp at this level back in December. Gets better spot and looks worth another shot. (7) AJ Get’s The Money came up short in brutal racing conditions in race he likely needed. The 7-year-old wrapped up 2014 in sharp form at this level and has speed to be well placed.

Race 11: (7) JM’sdukeofdelight finished with sharp pace, rallying from third over in Chicago snowstorm. Two back had eight hole at Maywood and three back chased a sparkling 1:51.4 mile. Well bred and lightly raced 5-year-old moves into new barn off claim, a barn that improves them, and appears sharper than form. (6) Speed Racer was fourth over behind top one last time and rolled home full of pace to nail place. The 4-year-old equaled a lifetime best two back and looks like the main threat.

Race 12: (7) Treat For My Sweet was first up on brutal night and understandably weakened in first start in a month; prior were decent tries against sharp winners to wrap up the year. Draws outside but faces a field that lacks consistency and has speed to leave for a trip. (8) Gabby Rei hasn’t done much in a while but had pace finishing in same race as top one last time and can be dangerous at a price on best.

Good luck.