by “Catskill Steve” Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the guaranteed $10,000 Pick-5 pool at Yonkers Raceway on June 24, 2013, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Came very close to hitting last Tuesday’s Pick-5. Tabbed the first 4 legs including $17.80 & $20.00 long shots but wasn’t anywhere near in the payoff leg, but as they say close only counts in horseshoes. Don’t advise heavy betting in tonight’s gimmick as the first three legs are for NYSS 2-year-olds making their career debuts. Good Luck!

Yonkers Raceway Pick-5, Races 5-9, Monday, June 24, 2013.

$.50 play: 36/23/34/25/278 = $24

Analysis:

Race 5: Tonight’s action starts with a freshman New York Sire Stakes Filly event with all entrants making their career debuts. The (3) Scandalicious and (6) Vitameatavegamin have both prepped well for this and although neither has been over the half-miler none of the 6 ever have for that matter.

Race 6: Once again NYSS action. I’ll go with (2) Ali Blue and (3) Bettor Business who both paced sharp final quarters in their final prep for debuts.

Race 7: (3) Sweet Charity has shown a solid closing kick in her preps at Pocono and The Meadowlands and hopefully can get around the smaller oval. (4) All About Boyz has shown speed in all of her preps including two over the Harrington half-miler. Youngster’s sire was a monster on the NYSS trail a few years back and hopefully has passed some of his traits to this one.

Race 8: (2) H And M’s Hit was a game winner from 7-hole at Tioga following six-month layoff. Faced and beat far tougher here last autumn and finds a good spot in return. (5) Bob N Tony also looked good off the bench at Pocono showing solid trot to get up for place. Figures to be tighter off that mile for always sharp Miller barn.

Race 9: (2) Sunshine Patriot switches to the smaller oval and gets Sears after chasing torrid miles in 2 of his last 3 in The Quaker State. (7) Uilleann was in tough at Tioga last time after showing speed in Philadelphia prior. Gets 7-hole for 32% and won here in 1:54.4 back in April. (8) Dragon’s Jojo Philadelphia invader brushed to the top past a 1:23.2 three-quarters last time and just failed to last in the final stride. Mare draws 8-hole and is just 2 for 38 lifetime but picks up the leading driver in the sport to date and has raced ok here in the past including competitive tries here in The Petticoat Series this past winter. A throw in at a price.