by “Catskill” Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the $15,000 Pick-4 at Balmoral Park on May 23, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Checking up on Catskill Steve: Last Sunday I invested $24 and hit a $95.30 Pick-4.

Meet totals: 31 plays, five winning Pick-4s, +$49.30

Balmoral Park Pick-4, Races 9-12, Saturday, May 23, 2015

$1 play: 467/16/810/59 = $24

Analysis:

Race 9: (4) Fort Silky, (6) Time To Roll and (7) Best Man Hanover renew their rivalry in the winners over division with one of them more than likely to be victorious as they have been in recent weeks hard to separate.

Race 10: (1) Extravagant Art disappointed last time following a series of solid miles against better including a 1:51 lifetime best two back; gets the rail and can make amends. (6) Gibbs was short off the bench but did manage to finish in :26.3. Figures to be tighter with that one under his belt and wouldn’t be surprised to see him leaving in here.

Race 11: I’m not giving up on (8) Fox Valley Andy quite yet. Last week the fast finishing 5-year-old paced a :55.3 final half, trying to close off slow pace from similar spot and two back he followed, then lost cover in 1:52 mile and was able to finish evenly. Will offer some value in competitive field and is capable of rolling by late with the right trip and a likely quicker pace to close off of. (10) Monopoly Man is a razor sharp 5-year-old who drops back in for a tag at a level he’s been ultra consistent at. Draws tough slot but has speed to leave for position as he did two back from similar spot and figures to be close once again.

Race 12: (9) Bell Valley Tiger was far back early, rallied steadily, pacing a 1:22.3 final three-quarters to miss by 2-1/2 lengths in first try at Balmoral in a while. The 5-year-old has never beaten this type in the past but was racing in razor sharp form at Maywood and may be heading in the right direction. (5) Sunset Dreamer hasn’t raced much since monster win from 10-hole in the snow back in early January; makes just third start since then but had pace on both ends of quick mile in latest and may be coming around again. The 4-year-old faced and beat tougher than these last year and it could be lights out if he brings anything close to his A game.

Good luck!