Frank Cotolo offers his picks for the $20,000 Pick-4 at Balmoral Park on Feb. 23, part of the USTA Strategic Wagering Program.

Balmoral Park Pick-4, Races 10-13, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013

One Last Chance won as our single in leg two of last Saturday’s ticket, paying $9.20. We lost leg one with our two choices finishing second and third. Oddly enough, these two horses at 5-1 and 27-1, completed the trifecta with the favorite winning and that exotic paid $61.20. The ticket, at $4, finished 2,3—1—4—2. The two days set us back $8.80, with no winners on Sunday.

$2 play 4/378/6/5 = $6

Analysis:

Race 10: (4) Don’t Worry B Happy was solid, one of our first-leg choices last Saturday and returns to our graces still on the verge of a win. Another shot is prescribed here after just missing to a very big favorite in that race.

Race 11: (3) Teeds Fly N Star is not a legitimate longshot so a good price will be available. Her Maywood races are strong, having made her work for every decent position. She was scratched here and returns after another good Maywood mile, deserving a shot to bust this ticket wide open. (7) Harper Lee goes back and forth at this level but each time she has been competent. (8) Mystical MJ may be the hidden class of this field and only has to overcome the post with some of that class and can do so at a price.

Race 12: (6) Shipps Con puts this ticket into the category that always provokes criticism as a handicapper. His lines appear weak but those races show strong segments that include gains, even though finishing positions do not offer success. These are the kinds of horses that blow up the toteboard and need support in order to catch larger priced winners. This guy is solid in this class and with sans traffic or trouble could take this group with a rare win.

Race 13: (5) Whirlwindiplomacy stepped up and made a good go of the slightly better bunch and in this mile faces a few foes that are as uneven as is this level for competition.