by “Catskill” Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the guaranteed $10,000 Pick-5 pool at Yonkers Raceway on Sept. 17, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

I’ll be taking a few days off. Column returns next week.

Yonkers Raceway Pick-5, Races 5-9, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013

$.50 play: 234/13/26/4/456=$18

Analysis:

Race 5: (4) Drive All Night had a tough spot against better last time following two decent tries in a pair of 1:50 miles at Pocono. Drops and moves inside. (3) Sucrose Hanover returns from Pocono where he had an overland trip through wicked pace in last. Finished with :28.1 final quarter at this level when last seen at Yonkers on August 20 and looks to have a good shot here. (2) Rucker Place returns to Yonkers at reduced level following an even try in fast Freehold mile last time. Figures to be well placed from this spot.

Race 6: (3) UF Rockin Dragon has paced fast middle halves, making wide moves in last two and still been able to finish quickly. Seems to have the most ability of any in here and can brush by from this spot. (1) Rockstar Stride was bothered past the start in career debut, showed decent pace the rest of the mile and finished with :56 final half. Well bred colt gets the rail and figures to be tougher with race under his belt for strong barn.

Race 7: (2) Comicbook Hero paced a sharp final half uncovered in another solid try. Sophomore seems on edge. (6) Hefty Lefty has left for the pocket in last two and been unable to gain in the late stages although holding place in both fast paced miles.

Race 8: (4) Americasgottalent was overmatched at Monticello against the top sophomores on the NYSS trail in latest but did race well against slighty tougher than these in last visit and could be live at a price here.

Race 9: (4) Arpeggio Hanover ships in from Philadelphia where he put in an improved two-move try against tougher when returned to the powerful Burke barn. Tries the half-mile oval tonight and should fit well with these. (5) Boxcar is in sharp form for Morgan and could shake loose. (6) Upfront Countryboy had too far to come last time after showing explosive stretch kick in first Yonkers start upon shipping in from Ohio two back. Dangerous if pace sets up for a closer.

Good luck.