by “Catskill” Steve Terjanian

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

Balmoral Park Pick-4, Races 10-13, Saturday, July 20, 2013

Not off to a flying start in my Pick-4 venture. On Wednesday, two heavy favorite winners and a second place finish with favorite in final leg, all choices a novice handicapper could come up with. One good thing, I had a scratch in Leg 2, limiting our loss to $8. On to Saturday night.

$1 play: 8/356/1578/34 = $24

Analysis:

Race 10: (8) Mystical Victress is a classy mare who paced a huge :53.4 final half uncovered, got the top turning for home, but was outkicked, falling a head short to one of the sharpest pacers on the grounds. She will likely be odds on and I’ll single her here.

Race 11: Leg 2 seems quite a bit more wide open. (5) Real Or Magic drops out of some fast miles and is my top choice. I am going to also use (3) Suddenly Single, who had been taking on Indiana Sire Stakes competition before shipping to Balmoral where he blasted out from seven hole to the top in :27.1, set the pace and bottomed out, chasing a :27.3 third panel before weakening late, but missing by only 2-1/4 lengths. Takes on older and tougher foes but draws a better spot and looks to have the speed to go with them. I will also include (6) Arch Villain who hasn’t come back close to equalling a monster try from eight hole in the slop at this level on June 1, but did look better last time from 10 hole, used twice and missing by two lengths against a field of tough $10,000 claimers.

Race 12: Another tough event on a usual solid Saturday night card. (1) Dee Dee Sage takes a sharp drop and figures to be well placed. (5) Lima Calliope lacked her usual late kick last time following two strong place finishing tries against tougher; capable of rebound. (7) Miss Pat Weisar showed a new dimension last time, used hard to get the top from 10 hole, yielding, then finding room late, finishing in :27.4 to just miss. Don’t know what new pilot Roberts will do here but my guess is he’ll try to leave and John does well first time in the bike. (8) Willow Gram came wide off impossible fifth over trip and had explosive pace down the lane.

Race 13: (3) Elkhorn Damien gave veteran moves inside off two solid speed tries from seven hole. Can control it. (4) Revolutionary drops in for a tag while in sharp form. Finds good spot to set up his brush and is Leonard’s choice over the (2) who he won with last time. I have to use them both.

Good luck.