by Frank Cotolo

Frank Cotolo offers his picks for the Pick 4 at Balmoral Park on Aug. 18, 2012 part of the USTA Strategic Wagering program.

Balmoral Park Pick 4, Races 10-13, Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012

Last week’s tickets both began with prohibitive favorite singles, Lets Talk About Me ($3.40) and Kendyl ($3.00).Saturday our second leg finished second and third, our third leg single broke at the start and was eliminated as one of the choices and Shax (see below) lost as the choice, finishing third. You could get closer than that with a $50 ticket and still not have hit it but our loss, with one win bet (a 12-1 second), cost only $6. The winning ticket paid only $201.40.

$2 play 25/4/6/3 $= $4

Analysis:

Race 10: (2) Once A Cheater navigated a great mile from post 9 only to finish fourth last time but it was an effort far better than reflected by his 12-1 odds. (5) Life Is Good Today was hung badly while making a big move and before that, dropping into this condition, was weighed with the 10 hole and traffic.

Race 11: (4) Shiswell’s Delight was cooking in a more expensive conditioner after having reasonable success cashing checks at this level. A race like last week’s effort could win it here, since no one looks to have an upper hand.

Race 12: (6) Shax has been on the brink of a winning mile since stepping up and looks like the best here though there may not be a delicious price.

Race 13: (3) Buffalo Joe has gotten into some deep trouble in his recent two miles after winning here. Under control, he should be getting his balance of speed and be able to put in a big one here.