by “Catskill” Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the $15,000 Pick-4 at Balmoral Park on Jan. 31, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Checking up on Catskill Steve: Happy New Year to all. After a four-week break, Balmoral is back in harness tonight. After wrapping up 2014 in a slump, 2015 started off with a $275.30 hit on Sunday (Jan. 4). For the new year I am up $227.30 and am going to try to stay in the black as long as I can. With the majority of horses on tonight’s card coming off the short layoff, I am not going to invest as much as normal but, rather, give them a race to acclimate themselves back to the racing wars.

Balmoral Park Pick-4, Races 9-12, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015

$1 play: 57/1269/4/6 = $8

Analysis:

Race 9: I’ll start tonight’s action with (5) Washington Hanover who put in two strong engine tries at this level, finishing second in both of his most recent starts and (7) Lucky Crusader who has finished with sub :28 final quarters against tougher in six of his last seven starts and is a possibility to roll by late if anywhere close to the top.

Race 10: (1) AJ Gets The Money, (2) Nancys Skyscape, and (9) Crime Of Passion all have speed and have been racing in good form, the latter coming off a sick scratch at Miami Valley where he raced against tougher back on Jan. 10. Any of the three could take it. I’ll throw in (6) Bell Valley Bill as well, who is consistent at this level and dangerous off what could be a contested pace.

Race 11: (4) Firstclassalltheway has the benefit of racing at Miami Valley earlier in the month where he was chasing Open company, finishing third in 1:52.1 mile in most recent on sub-freezing night.

Race 12: (6) Love This Place is another returnee from Miami Valley where she was handled aggressively in her latest, leaving and caught three wide briefly off first turn before taking back, making second move to follow cover nearing three-quarters and finishing evenly on arctic-like 14-degree night. The 9-year-old beat better here back in November and figures to work out a live cover trip from this spot.

Good luck!