by “Catskill” Steve Terjanian

Catskill Steve offers his picks for the guaranteed $10,000 Pick-5 pool at Yonkers Raceway on Sept. 24, 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. 24, 2013

$.50 play: 145/458/45/34/56 = $36

Analysis:

Race 5: (4) Explosive Action has been a bit erratic in his sophomore season and has gone 0 for 11 on the year but this trotter has hinted at having some ability at times and was entered in the Yonkers Trot over the summer. Gets in against a field he may be able to handle after chasing New York breds on the NYSS trail most of the summer. Should be a handful with clean trip. (1) My America Bi had steady rally from seven hole through :57.1 final half at Philadelphia. Like top one, filly is 0 for 11 on the year and lacks half-mile experience but gets the rail and Brennan for trotting guru and will likely be ready for big mile. (5) Hey Buddy Mac has shown ability in just seven career starts and comes off two tough uncovered tries, the latest after missing three weeks. Takes on tougher here but cannot be discounted.

Race 6: A pair of 2-year-olds may be best in this leg. (4) Departure is a Burke trainee that has been racing well against tougher NY breds in Excelsior Series and ships in off a game maiden breaking win at Batavia. (8) Capozzo has had only two career starts, the latest a pressured speed try through quick pace and just failing to hold on through :28.2 final quarter of a snappy 1:55.2 mile. Post only knock. I’ll throw in (5) I Dreamed A Dream in case the freshmen are no up to the task. This one broke maiden at Freehold two back and has finished with a strong late kick in all of his Yonkers tries, but having had too far to come in all. Gets a better spot and could be a major player if able to sit closer to the top.

Race 7: I’ve been following (4) Bettor’s Arena for a couple of weeks now. In his latest race he elected to sit in and was shuffled to last from the two hole past three-quarters in a peculiar drive, slipped out turning for home and came widest of all, finishing full of pace. Two back he had no shot from eight hole, left for position and again sat in, getting shuffled to last before finishing with even pace in fast mile and three back paced a :56.1 while racing three wide and finished evenly in 1:53.3 mile. This one paced a 1:51.2 earlier in the year at Dover and should be aggressively handled tonight, switching to “The Bomber.” (5) Courageous Cat had a tough spot in 1:50.2 Philadelphia mile last time after showing speed two back before tiring badly in 1:51 mile. Ships to Yonkers for the strong Allard barn and should fit well with these.

Race 8: (4) Summer Smackdown is a sharp Burke trainee who finished with :55 final half, making up a ton of ground from eight hole. Prior were two solid, come from behind scores at Philadelphia. Looks best from improved spot. (3) Lauxmont Capri couldn’t handle this group two back after two solid miles, including 1:55.2, wire-to-wire score. Returns off what may have been confident building score at Monticello and figures to be well placed.

Race 9: (5) Bigrisk had little in fast Philadelphia mile but returns to Yonkers at a level he’s been consistent at and can race on or from off the pace. (6) Big Art races better when on or close to the top and figures to be well placed, switching to aggressive pilot.

Good luck.