Frank Cotolo offers his picks for the $25,000 Pick-4 at Balmoral Park on March 17, part of the USTA Strategic Wagering Program.

Balmoral Park Pick-4, Races 10-13, Sunday, March 17, 2013

Don’t faint when you see the price of today’s ticket. We stepped things up because we really like this card, which is rare for a Sunday quartet with this exotic. Our fists will be cash-filled for the win tickets, too, as some of the outsiders here look too good to pass. What wraps up the love affair with these events is that the so-called favorites look like they won’t be hammered, making them stronger public choices, which also supports a good sized ticket.

$2 play 18/9/36/26 = $16

Analysis:

Race 7: (1) Rockme Amadeous isn’t the best favorite but has a great kick at one point or another during the mile and fits well here. Meanwhile, (8) Get R Hero can start this ticket with a bang. He does not win often, giving us great odds for him to win only his fourth in 34 starts. Why now? His last race was exceptionally strong in this class and that is a slight edge over the tepid competition.

Race 8: Recently, (9) Poppa Woody, works out ways to cash a check and he almost won last time coming into the class with huge support. We never mind outside posts when a horse is showing fine form and this one does not have strong enough foes to make the post an issue.

Race 9: (3) Haileysheartdesire looks to come right back and score as we thought she would when we had her last week. That strong brush we liked should kick in again with this group. (6) Walkinthemoonlite is a legitimate outside contender. Her recent effort, with almost seven lengths gained mid-mile, is a definite flare telling us to watch out. As well, she took in good money to win and deserves a big shot here.

Race 10: (2) Taffy Towne almost took a race at 20-1 as the public ignored the inner doings of her Feb. 13 effort. Toss out the March 10 race and be prepared for a competitive mile and possibly a score that, if this ticket depends upon it, could take most of the exotic pool.