Frank Cotolo offers his picks for the $25,000 Pick-4 at Balmoral Park on Jan. 6, part of the USTA Strategic Wagering Program.

Balmoral Park Pick-4, Races 7-10, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013

Here’s a ticket that may produce a number of win bets and still has a chance to topple the pool, since the Sunday favorites, as they look at press time, do not appear to be very strong. Take note again this year that you should watch for horses that lose in our Pick-4 tickets when they race at Balmoral in races other than what we cover on the weekends. A good number of our choices, last year, returned to win and pay top prices to win and assist in other exotics.

$2 play: 5/3/26/46 = $8

Analysis:

Race 7: (5) Fox Valley Matinee appears to be the best value here and comes to Crete off of an impressive Maywood win, that one the result of some rest and a good qualifier. Still, the public sent her off at 11-1. Hope for the same and start this one off with an upset single.

Race 8: (3) From The North is the perfect kind of contender to wager upon. He was beaten last out after stepping up off a win. However, he was all out from post eight and raced with two wasted moves on the outside. He stays at that level, rightfully so, and will not be appreciated by the public for all the reasons we like him.

Race 9: (2) Chasin Credit has to be forgiven for her last two races and with a good trip can be a moderate upset here. We liked (6) Gilly Ho’s chances last week and we like them even more now. He should perform better than he did with a garden trip, he should be as strong as he was when he sustained a heavy duel on Dec. 5, though he lost, in higher company. That race wins it for him here.

Race 10: (4) Mr Prospect held well last out from an outside trip and he did not lose as much ground as he lost position; they closed in on him. I suspect that a two-turn mile could be just what he needs, even though his history is to cash checks lower than those for the win position. (6) Whirlwindiplomacy was great last week when we needed him to be a little bit better than great but he looks alive again here and may take this field with dominance.