Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Belmont Park, Churchill Downs and Santa Anita Picks for October 2, 2021

Ricky’s Rockets 🚀 is here on Saturday afternoon, for one of the biggest days in the sport. Saturday afternoon/evening will play host to 10 graded-stakes races, 4 of which are Breeders’ Cup Win And You’re In races. It’s going to be another special day of racing, and we are here for it ALL! There are a multitude of multi-race sequences as well, meaning plenty of opportunities to cash tickets.

Also included below: my 11-race preview of Belmont Park, 11-race preview of Churchill Downs and 11-race preview of Santa Anita!

Belmont Park October 2, 2021

Race 8: Champagne Stakes (G1) for 2-year-olds going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the dirt

#1 Wit will look to get his revenge, after losing in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) to Gunite last month. He will have a new challenger in here, with #3 Jack Christopher. Chad Brown has already claimed this is a special 2-year-old, as he looks to stay undefeated in his first stakes event.

Race 9: Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the inner turf

#2 Backtohisroots made his 2021 debut in the Lucky Coin Stakes at Saratoga. He should be even better as he gets some fitness under his belt. #7 Pulsate was able to win the Lucky Coin Stake, winning his first race of the year. I’m not sure if the result of this race changes all that much.

Race 10: Woodward Stakes (G1) for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the dirt

#1 Dr Post looks to get back to the winners’ circle, for the first time since the Monmouth Cup (G3) over the summer. He was able to win the Westchester Stakes (G3) here back in May. #2 Maxfield is the most talented runner in the field, but couldn’t get past Knicks Go in the Whitney (G1). He should be a short favorite in this race.

Race 11: $40,000 Maiden Claiming for New York-bred 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the widener turf

#10 Sportini wasn’t all that good on debut, but a few things change here. He gets a completely different rider, cuts back in distance, and takes a drop in class. #11 Hot Doctor finished second at this level last time out, but that race was taken off of the grass. Jose Ortiz picks up the mount for the fourth straight race.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 8-11) 1,3 / 2,7 / 1,2 / 10,11 – $48

50¢ Pick 4 (Races 8-11) 1,2,3,5 / 2,3,5,7 / 2 / 3,9,10,11 – $60

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: Belmont Park

Ricky’s Rockets: Churchill Downs

Ricky’s Rockets: Santa Anita Park