by Bob Pandolfo

Bob Pandolfo offers his picks for the $50,000 Pick-4 at Meadowlands Racetrack on August 4, part of the USTA Strategic Wagering program.

Meadowlands Pick-4, Races 6-9, Thursday, August 4, 2011

No luck last week, down $40 on the three days, but I still have a profit of $137.40 on these Pick-4 plays so far this meet and I’ve hit three Pick-4s. I’ll stick with the game plan which is to keep the cost down and play small tickets. Tonight’s sequence looks pretty tough but I used three singles.

$2 play: 5789/6/8/7 = $8

Analysis:

Race 6: This is a weak field and anything can happen so I used four horses. I used Pompano shipper (7) Albion as he rallied from a tough spot in last and drops; (8) Trophy Hunter has been racing well and can leave; (5) Dan Chaz comes off an improved effort; and (9) Jovial Joker N returns in good form.

Race 7: (6) Weekend Update has won the last two times she raced in this condition and she drops back in and is a solid single for me.

Race 8: (8) Mr Chicago comes off two solid preps in baby races and I’ll single him. If he doesn’t win, the race is potentially wide open.

Race 9: (7) Pure Diamond made her debut at Tioga Downs and was beaten at 6-5 but she didn’t have the best spot to rally from off the pace. She gets an aggressive driver (Jody Jamieson) and may leave this time. I’ll single her. If she fails it’s similar to race 8, once you go past the favorite it’s a wide open scramble.