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

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

We had two of four last Saturday. In the third leg Jackson Berlow paid $9.60 and then we scored a win ticket with Zall Good at $12.40. Both were singles. However, we tanked in the first leg with a 6-1 shot and with both in the second leg at 17-1 and 3-1. On Sunday we did have a non-bet winner, Rockme Amadeous ($4.20) and a hot second with Taffy Towne at 21-1 (that winner would have settled the cost of the weekend). We loved that $16 ticket but even the favorite in leg three could not help us out. Both of the weekend’s tickets paid over a grand.

$2 play 4/56/3/4 = $4

Analysis:

Race 10: (4) Special Joe has raced well twice since stepping into this level but has been knocked out by early duels. Perhaps from the inside he can get the top or near enough to the top to use that energy for a win.

Race 11: (5) Shiswell’s Delight and (6) Stamped By Design are the two outside contenders here that will probably offer some money. The former was beaten by the latter last time and seemed empty. We’ll give him that, at 3-1, and watch him return with the steam of March 2. The latter was all out from post 10 and held well after working early to get the top.

Race 12: (3) Joshua Mac N is getting used to U.S. races after those Down Under marathons and may be ready to put one in the win column after a strong mile last week at a well-supported price.

Race 13: (4) Dave’s Bid is all you can see no matter how much you look at the others. He won on a disqualification but deserved the placement after a wide duel to get the top and a head-to-head joust for the next three-quarters.