Ricky’s Rockets ?: Del Mar, Gulfstream Park and Saratoga Picks for September 6, 2020

Saturday was one of the best days in the history of the sport. The stars shined brighter than ever and we all witnessed some of the performances of the year. It was truly breathtaking and provided excitement that I ever thought imaginable. On Saratoga’s final Sunday of the meet, the feature on the card is the Spinaway (G1) for 2-year-old fillies going 7 furlongs on the dirt.

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

Best of luck!

Race 9: Spinaway Stakes (G1) for 2-year-old fillies going 7 furlongs on the dirt

#5 Beautiful Memories was the heavy favorite in her last start, the Schuylerville (G3) on July 16. I’m willing to throw that race out after she stumbled at the start and pulled up in the backstretch. She should be the favorite based on her debut effort at Churchill Downs. #1 Irish Constitution comes out of a “key” race that saw Party At Page’s win next time out and Samborella win the opener at Saratoga on Friday afternoon. She should be a nice price at post-time and one to use.

Race 10: Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#1 Come Dancing isn’t in the best form of her life. This time last summer, she had just won the Ballerina (G1) by multiple lengths. Nonetheless, she is 2/2 at the distance and has two wins in four starts at Saratoga in her career. #2 Blamed ran very well in the Shine Again Stakes at the beginning of the meet. The slight cut-back in distance is probably what she needs as she looks to go gate-to-wire.

Race 11: Lucky Coin Stakes for 4-year-olds and upward going 5 1/2 furlongs on the outer turf

#1 Shekky Shebaz didn’t run poorly in the Troy (G3) on August 8 last time out. He just wasn’t as good as the first and second place finishers on that day. In my opinion, drawing toward the inside isn’t necessarily a bad thing. He’s finished first or second in all three starts at Saratoga including this race last year. #9 Gidu will have to break well and get to the inside as quick as possible. He ran at the $150,000 Allowance Optional Claiming level last time out in preparation for this start today.

Race 12: $40,000 Claiming for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the inner turf

#2 Leeway faced starters for the first time at the Starter Allowance level and didn’t run her best race. She drops down in class for Christophe Clement who is winning at 22% at the meet and gets Joel Rosario who’s winning at 21% at the meet as one of the top jockeys. #10 Positive Skew makes her first start for Carlos Martin, a slight upgrade over previous trainer David Canizzo. Martin hasn’t had many runners at the meet, but when Irad Ortiz Jr. gets on one of his horses, who has the most wins at the meet, it’s a positive sign.

THE TICKET

$5 Pick 4 (Races 9-12) 5 / 1,2 / 1,9 / 2,10 – $40

Saratoga September 6, 2020

For my full card plays, featuring race-by-race analysis, my top four picks for each race, and full-card multi-race wagers, check out my new product below:

Ricky’s Rockets: Saratoga

Ricky’s Rockets: Del Mar

Ricky’s Rockets: Gulfstream Park