Ricky’s Rockets ?: Del Mar, Gulfstream Park and Saratoga Picks for August 1, 2020

It was a tough day at Gulfstream as we were one leg away from over $4,500 in winnings at Gulfstream in the final leg. On the bright side, we are seeing the races right just in time for a massive day across the country. Saturday has the type of racing that fans wish they could attend on-site to see. Saratoga has five stakes races, highlighted by one of the best horses (male or female), Midnight Bisou, in the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1). She’s one of many headliners as we kick off the best race day so far at the meet.

Also included below: my 11-race preview of Del Mar and my 11-race preview of Gulfstream Park.

Best of luck!

Race 9: Whitney Stakes (G1) for 4-year-olds and upward going 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the dirt

#5 Tom’s d’Etat is one of the hottest horses in the country right now. He’s already beaten Improbable and By My Standards and owns 3 wins from 4 local starts. He’s squarely the horse to beat.

Race 10: H. Allen Jerkens Stakes (G1) for 3-year-olds going 7 furlongs on the dirt

#4 Echo Town has finished in the money in all 6 career starts made his first attempt at 7 furlongs last time out. He has the talent to beat this group, but he’ll will need his best race to beat #6 No Parole, who’s won all 5 of his sprint starts by several lengths.

Race 11: Bowling Green Stakes (G2) for 4-year-olds and upward going 1 3/8 miles (11 furlongs) on the inner turf

#2 Cross Border used the Lubash Stakes as a tuneup for this start, and while it’s an extremely quick turnaround, trainer Mike Maker had to be impressed off of that romp that made him 3-for-3 over this course. #6 Sadler’s Joy hasn’t won since November, but he’s faced many in this race before and runs well at this distance (12-3-1-5 record).

Race 12: Caress Stakes for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward going 5 1/2 furlongs on the outer turf

#2 I’llhandalthecash captured her first stakes win for the connections in the License Fee on July 3. #5 Jakarta fell victim to Newspaperofrecord in the Intercontinental Stakes (G3) on a yielding course two starts back, then faltered in the Vagrancy Handicap (G3) on the dirt. She returns to the turf and has a chance to wire the field with the extremely aggressive Luis Saez in the saddle.

THE TICKET

$5 Pick 4 (Races 9-12) 5 / 4,6 / 2,6 / 2,5 – $40

Saratoga August 1, 2020

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Ricky’s Rockets: Saratoga

Ricky’s Rockets: Gulfstream Park

Ricky’s Rockets: Del Mar