by Bob Pandolfo

Bob Pandolfo offers his picks for the $50,000 Pick-4 at Meadowlands Racetrack on Feb. 9, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

Meadowlands Pick-4, Races 6-9, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012

I didn’t hit Saturday night, minus $16, which brings the total to minus $243 for the first 14 nights. It was a tough bet in the Pick-4 because I had a huge night with my picks. My top pick won races 6, 7 and 8 and included my $12.60 Best Bet and a $62.60 winner in the eighth race, so I came into the last leg alive with two horses including Hanks Kid, who surged to the lead late in the stretch and appeared a certain winner but the pacesetter Laguna Beach came back on and won by a nose. Tonight’s sequence looks difficult.

$1 play: 1/35810/1/3810 = $12

Analysis:

Race 6: (1) Arts Ideal Hanover qualified strongly and Pierce takes this one over a horse that was an easy winner in this series last week. I have to single him because the other legs are so wide open and I don’t want to spend a lot of money here, it’s a tough sequence.

Race 7: This is a scramble. I’m using four horses, (3) Western Smoocher, (5) Exterminator, (8) Brandon’s Colt and (10) Mcmarvel and I don’t feel confident.

Race 8: This is another tough race but to keep the ticket reasonable I’m going to single (1) Chartreuse Hanover. She took her 1:52 mark over this track last year and she had pace from post nine in a race she needed last start.

Race 9: Another tough one. The best horse is (10) Soul Chaser, who is now 11 but finished off the year with three straight wins up north and once paced in 1:47.3 over this track. I’ll also use (3) Mr Vitti off a surprisingly good qualifier and (8) Art Star, who had some pace in his return.