Catskill Steve offers his picks for the $25,000 Pick-4 at Balmoral Park on March 15 part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

I invested $24 last night and wasn’t close with just one short priced winner.

Meet totals: 13 plays, 1 winning Pick-4: –$16.70

Balmoral Park Pick-4, Races 7-10, Sunday, March 15, 2015

$1 play: 35/27/357/89= $24

Analysis:

Race 7: (3) Fox Valley Shiver had a tough fourth–over spot, paced a :56.3 middle half and finished with pace recording :28.1 final panel. Overdue mare continues to finish fast and should be sitting near or on the top turning for home from this spot and will likely offer some value. (5) Fox Valley Ruby finished in front of top one last time in sharp try. Seems heading in the right direction and looks like the one to beat.

Race 8: (7) Speed Racer, a consistent 4-year-old, put in a game closing try last time but had too far to come and settled for place. Has the ability to leave or come from behind as well as the ability to be used a couple of times in the mile. (2) Beachside Bungalow had a tougher trip than it looks on the program racing three– wide almost the entire final half and gamely holding on to earn show. The 5-year-old makes fourth start off long layoff and seems to be on an improving pattern for good barn.

Race 9: (5) Hot Streak Hanover returns to Balmoral on two days rest following a strong wire to wire score from eight-hole at Maywood. The 9-year-old was racing well against tougher here prior and looks sharp enough to take another. (3) Justlivinthedream is winless over past two seasons but comes off a game effort from post seven, parked to the top, yielding, then chasing a 1:25 final three quarters and missing by less than two lengths. Gets better spot and may be on the verge of ending slump. (7) Western Slammer had little at Maywood in latest following a speed try two back. Finished behind top one with a furious late rally to wrap up 2014 and now returns to favorite track and is dangerous on best to say the least.

Race 10: (9) Moon Bay Dancer was no match for the favorite in here two back but finished willingly after getting stuck behind dull cover off slow pace. Last time was a long uncovered grind pacing :58 middle half to push stubborn front–runner hard but was unable to clear and weakened although not tiring badly on cold night. (8) Hotmones returns from Maywood off two days rest in a race where she was stuck behind tiring pacer. Handled top one easily off ground saving trip three back and looks the sharpest in finale although drawing toughest post in a while.

Good Luck!