by ‘Catskill’ Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the $10,000 Pick-5 at Yonkers Raceway on May 19, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Last Thursday, I tabbed three out of five short priced winners in what became a very small payout in the Pick-5 and lost $24. After six weeks, I’m zero for six and showing a loss of $101.

Yonkers Raceway Pick-5, Races 7-11, Thursday, May 19, 2016

$.50 play: 15/136/246/4/45 = $18

Analysis

Race 7: (1) Cracker Coffee set a pressured pace and gave way grudgingly late, gets the pole and should be tough on the engine or from the pocket. (5) Kaitlyn Rae came off the bench to score at this level in fast mile.

Race 8: (3) Heavens Legacy and (6) Hey Kobe have both been finishing consistently faster than these in recent. The former gets a better spot to set up her late kick and is capable of rolling by late while that latter has been racing better at this level and will likely try to control it. (1) Envious Hanover had no shot chasing 1:50.2 Pocono mile in latest after being overmatched here against tougher prior. Gets the rail and will likely be a handful at this reduced level.

Race 9: (4) Justice My Way finished with pace in fast mile making first start for new barn. The 5-year-old continues to race in sharp form taking a lifetime mark three back from similar spot to tonight’s and will likely be charging off what could be a quick pace. (2) Station Threeohsix paced the fastest mile of the year at Monticello in latest and now drops in for a tag in Yonkers return. Should go well. (6) Real Flight shoots for fourth straight, third at this level, and has taken five of his last seven when leading into the stretch. Another that must be included.

Race 10: (4) Stonebridge Tonic has been next to unbeatable since joining Allard barn and is tough to go against.

Race 11: (5) Undercover Strike shoots for fifth straight and is hard to knock. If any in here can upset it could be (4) Pasadena Star who has suddenly sharpened and won at mile and a quarter distance last time from post eight.

Good Luck!