by Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Publicity Department

Ayers Ratliff offers his picks for the $7,500 Pick-5 and the $15,000 Pick-4 at Northfield Park on July 2, part of the U.S. Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program.

On Monday (July 2), Northfield Park will offer a $7,500 guaranteed total pool in the Pick-5. Beginning in race three, the $7,500 guarantee includes a carryover of $1,598.10. Northfield Park’s Pick-5, Pick-4 and Pick-3s offer a reduced takeout rate of just 14 percent (the lowest in harness racing).

$1 play: 45/67/24/35/145 = $48

Analysis:

Race 3: (4) Caveola Adonno has consecutive runner-up finishes in this class; could definitely step-up for a win here. (5) Lined With Cash has shown signs of ability; Noble could bring out the best in him.

Race 4: (6) Beans And Weenies looks for a credible performance in his return to Cleveland. (7) Delivered Rules sees O’Neal hand the lines to Noble and looks for results.

Race 5: (2) Bluebird Caviar dropped to this class last time but made a break; should have a different result with a flat effort. (4) Prime Number is a classy veteran that still has enough in the tank to be a solid competitor at this level of competition.

Race 6: (3) Littlebitofhoney has the speed to win this race if she minds her manners. (5) Olin receives some class relief and should be right there.

Race 7: (1) JD’s Turismo lands in a wide-open affair and gets the slight call over the competition; the post will be key. (4) Go Cowboy Go has been the runner-up two straight starts; could put in a similar effort here. (5) Rare Commodity drops in class and has a big shot to do well.

Northfield Park Pick-4, Races 8-11, Monday, July 2, 2012

On Monday (July 2), Northfield Park will be offering a $15,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick-4. The Pick-4 has a reduced takeout rate of just 14 percent (the lowest in harness racing) and starts in the eighth race.

$1 play: 69/56/12/6 = $8

Analysis:

Race 8: (6) Raglin sees Winters hand the lines to Merriman and looks for results. (9) No Fault Friskie has proven to be solid at this level of competition; looks to be victorious here.

Race 9: (5) Muscle Sprouts is a classy veteran that cannot be counted out at this level of competition. (6) One Sharp Spur has the ability to win in here if he minds his manners and stays on stride.

Race 10: (1) Elegant Mystique draws much better tonight and should have a better result, too. (2) Fox Valley Fresco looks to make his return to Cleveland a winning one.

Race 11: (6) Lotto Ticket has been a monster since entering the Loney barn; look for his terror to continue.