by “Catskill” Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the $15,000 Pick-4 at Balmoral Park on May 16 part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Checking up on Catskill Steve: Last Sunday I invested $24 and had two winners paying $26.20 and $7.20

Meet totals: 29 plays, 4 winning Pick-4’s -$4.00

Balmoral Park Pick-4, Races 9-12, Saturday, May 16, 2015

$1 play: 125/348/110/7 = $18

Analysis:

Race 9: (5) Jerrico missed by a nose despite long first-over bid in 1:52 mile, tough chalk at this level. (2) Life Is Good Today is zero for 15 on the year and has been a frequent pick in this column. The 7-year-old drops to the level of a strong placing two back and is going to put it all together one of these Saturday night’s. (1) Sage Ruck is winless over past two years but has been too far back to menace from tough spots in last two and now gets the rail at a level he is usually competitive at, not out of it.

Race 10: Field full of sharp pacers in Leg Two. (4) Camwiser left well and was shuffled last time, cleared late and finished in :27.2 his fourth sub 28-second final quarter in last five starts. (3) Lovedancinwithyou Maywood invader has taken four straight against lesser. The 5-year-old switches to Balmoral to take on tougher but must get a look in current form. (8) Fox Valley Andy had a tough uncovered trip and tired through :55.3 final half. This one will likely be following live cover in a race that may set up for a closer and has displayed a sharp brush in a number of recent tries, upset chance.

Race 11: (10) Ricky Bobbie is better than last when he left well and yielded, got shuffled and locked in late searching for room then lacked a serious rally once clear. Two back finished with 1:21.4 final three-quarters making up a ton of ground. Draws tough spot but is leading driver’s choice and should be charging late. (1) Preemptive Bid was used twice in 1:50.4 mile last time and finished just behind two of the top pacers on the grounds missing by a length. Takes a sharp drop off that effort and gets the rail.

Race 12: I’ll go for a big price in finale. (7) Missiana had an impossible fourth-over spot trying to rally from last off slow place, rallied widest of all pacing :27.1 final quarter with no real shot. Likely to be rolling earlier from this spot and is capable of lighting up the board on best.

Good Luck!