Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Arlington Park, Del Mar and Saratoga Picks for August 14, 2021

Ricky’s Rockets 🚀 will look to attack another Saturday with a track we haven’t covered in quite a long time. We always cover Del Mar and Saratoga, but for the first time in a long time, we are heading to Arlington Park. They have 8 stakes races on the day, highlighted by the Mr. D. Stakes. We will see Domestic Spending for the first time since he ran in the Manhattan Stakes (G1) back in June!

Also included below: my 10-race preview of Arlington Park, 10-race preview of Del Mar, 10-race preview of Saratoga!

Saratoga August 13, 2021

Race 8: Allowance for 3-year-olds and upward going 7 furlongs on the dirt

The Todd Pletcher duo of #1 Mahaamel and #1A Ashiham both come into this one with good form, but Mahaamel is the one to rely on. He lost to a horse in Beau Liam who is one of the better sprinters in the country. #5 Ducale faces winners for the first time, after running away from the field in his second start. He looks to be a talented runner for Brad Cox as well.

Race 9: Saratoga Special (G2) for 2-year-olds going 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt

#3 Ottoman Empire ran against Wit in the Sanford Stakes (G3), and that didn’t exactly work out well for him. There’s no one in this field that’s quite that good. #8 Doctor Jeff won on debut easily, but he was originally scheduled to run on the grass. It looks like he’s a dirt runner moving forward.

Race 10: Fourstardave Handicap (G1) for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the inner turf

#5 Set Piece has been great winning three in a row for Brad Cox at Churchill Downs. He’s proven going 8 furlongs regardless of the surface is exactly what he wants to do. #8 Blowout will want to win on the front end, needing the lead to win. Joel Rosario gets the call here for Chad Brown in his second start of the year.

Race 11: Allowance for New York-bred 3-year-olds and upward going 5 1/2 furlongs on the Melon turf

#3 Frat had to make his way to Monmouth Park to break his maiden, but that seemed like the winning formula. Tyler Gaffalione getting the call for a small trainer is an angle I like. #4 Dr. Blute returns to the turf, where he was a favorite in this spot. Since he broke his maiden in February, he hasn’t looked the same on the track.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 8-11) 1-1A,5 / 3,8 / 5,8 / 3,4 – $48

50¢ Pick 4 (Races 8-11) 1,3,5 / 2,3,6,8 / 1,5,8 / 3,4,10  – $67.50

My product is now on the Handicapping Products Page! To purchase, click one of the links below to go to the products page. My product includes full card plays, featuring race-by-race analysis, my top four picks for each race, and full-card multi-race wagers. Check it out below:

Ricky’s Rockets: Arlington Park

Ricky’s Rockets: Del Mar

Ricky’s Rockets: Saratoga