by “Catskill” Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the $25,000 Pick-4 at Balmoral Park on May 3, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Last night I invested $12 and had just one winner.

Meet totals: 26 plays, four winning Pick-4s, +$60

Balmoral Park Pick-4, Races 7-10, Sunday, May 3, 2015

$1 play: 67/56/34/69 = $16

Analysis:

Race 7: (7) If I Didnt Dream and (6) Miriam’s Jet are the two favorites who are both racing in sharp form, having won a combined five times this year and they take on a field that seems to have a phobia for winning, compiling a seasonal record of 1 for 52. Either should take it at a very short price.

Race 8: (6) Anightwithwilma returned to Balmoral and paced :55.4 final half, rallying for place behind much the best winner. The veteran mare seems to have found her best stride again and finds a good spot to set up her late kick. (5) Aubsession has come back sharp, although lightly raced, in her 6-year-old campaign and finished just behind top one in latest, chasing three sub-:29 quarters in the process. Figures to be closely placed to the top once again and appears the main danger.

Race 9: (3) Touch The Sky finished well from tough spot in local return. The 4-year-old hasn’t done much winning in his limited career, had tough spots at Hoosier prior to that last and seemed overmatched at Woodbine earlier in the year, but has proved a different horse at Balmoral where he’s registered his three lifetime wins and now gets best post in a long while. (4) Little Hank was hard used in fast pace last time, following a solid placing behind razor sharp winner two back.

Race 10: (9) Monopoly Man left from post seven and was parked the mile, pacing :56.1 middle half but unable to clear, somehow missed by less than a length in brave effort. The 5-year-old showed his former brush, beating similar in game fashion and looks sharp enough to overcome tough draw with better trip. (6) Camwiser rebounded from three straight losses to go down the road and beat these, pacing a 1:24.1 final three-quarters which included a :55 final half. The 10-year-old can never be dismissed at this level, especially off a mile like that last.

Good luck!