by Bill Eichenberger

Bill Eichenberger offers his picks for the $20,000 Pick-4 at Yonkers Raceway on April 17, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Yonkers Raceway, Pick-4, Races 7-10, Tuesday, April 17, 2012

On Tuesday, April 17, Yonkers Raceway will offer a $20,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick-4.

$1 play: 4/8/268/24/ = $6

Analysis:

Race 7: The problem with races this early in the season is it’s difficult to tell who has form and who is about to round into form. These eight are an equally talented bunch and should go in 1:55 or 1:56 though all are capable of better. So far this season the 6-8 posts have been disastrous at Yonkers (8.9, 4.4 and 4.0 percent respectively for wins). Will Mystique Cruiser’s early speed negate his poor post (6)? Will Brian Sears’ talent in the bike make up for Lightning Ridge N’s even worse post (7)? Or will the 3-1 morning line favorite, (4) Evening Job, recapture his late 2011 form when his speed ratings were routinely in the low to mid 90s and he closed out with three consecutive wins at a mile and 1/16th? Let’s assume the outside posts continue to take their toll and allow that Evening Job is the cream of the pacers 1-5.

Race 8: (8) Up Front Jerry is the prohibitive favorite at 8-5 in the morning line. With good reason. The 10YO gelding by Western Hanover has won five of his eight in 2012 (including twice from the 6 post in case you were wondering) including an impressive gate-to-wire affair on April 5 which included a season’s best 89 speed rating. (7) Elusive Reward has been a monument to inconsistency. To wit: He scored a thrilling win in 1:51.2 a year ago in April with an impressive 93 speed rating. He followed that win with an eighth place finish 23 lengths off the winner with a moribund 69 speed rating. Can the wily George Brennan get something out of the pacer no one lelse has in early 2012? Perhaps.

Race 9: (8) Lucky Sniper is modestly better than the rest of this field but is he good enough to warrant his 3-1 morning favorite status? The gelding is making progress in 2012, if by progress you mean recent finishes of 9, 8, 6, 6, 6, 5 and 5. At least (6) Hi Sir has a win and a place in his last four, even if his most recent two races have been lackluster seventh place finishes. Lucky Sniper has the higher recent best speed ratings (89, 90) but Hi Sir has been more consistently in the mid to high 80s. (4) Gritty Millie Boy deserves some consideration. His speed ratings are comparable to those of Hi Sir. (2) Corey Road is the best pacer with the best post. Though lightly raced this year (five starts, two places) his early speed should allow him dictate tempo. He is more consistent than the others in the field.

Race 10: Finally, a terrific pacer with a good draw: (4) Indian Giver N is the 8-5 morning line fav on the strength of three wins and two places in eight trips this year. And one of those wins came on April 6 in a lifetime best 1:53.1. Not bad for an august 9YO gelding. He ships back in from Chester. (2) Let’s Roll Joe should be all business. The bridesmaid has been the model of consistency: ratings of 90+ in five of his last eight including two places and a show. The modest step down in class should help.