Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Belmont Park, Keeneland and Oaklawn Park Picks for April 23, 2021

#RickysRockets🚀 got the week started off right as we kicked off opening day at Belmont Park with a bang! I talked yesterday how this was one of our better meets, and it certainly lived up to the billing. We are getting closer and closer to the Kentucky Derby (G1) which means we have to ramp up our efforts and start building our bankrolls even higher!

Also included below: my 9-race preview of Belmont Park, 10-race preview of Keeneland, 10-race preview of Oaklawn Park!

Best of luck!

Belmont Park April 23, 2021

Race 6: $80,000 Allowance Optional Claiming for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/4 miles (10 furlongs) on the inner turf

#2 Virginia Joy makes her United States debut for Chad Brown and Peter Brant. We don’t have much to go on, but we know how good of a trainer Chad Brown is over this surface. Her pedigree and races suggest this distance won’t be an issue whatsoever. #3 Capital Structure makes her 2021 debut after a solid race in the American Oaks (G1) in her last race. This is a drop in class sizable enough where she should win easily.

Race 7: $30,000 Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the widener turf

#4 Croi Mor took 11 races to break his maiden but now that he has, it’s up to the bettors to decide where he belongs. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a Golden Gate to Belmont Park move before, but I’m intrigued. #5 That Quality is another runner that makes his Belmont Park debut as he ships into town. Javier Castellano will have to get him to the lead if he wants to win.

Race 8: Affirmed Success Stakes for New York-bred 4-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#2 Wudda U Think Now won his last race easily, but this is a spot where he will have to improve. Irad Ortiz Jr. hasn’t been aboard before, but it does instill confidence Rudy Rodriguez has his horse trending upward. #5 Big Engine is the horse to beat but not solely off talent alone. He’s won 8 races already, and has finished in the money in 7/9 starts dating back to the beginning of 2020. 

Race 9: $40,000 Maiden Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the inner turf

#6 Holy Emperor is a part of the Robert Falcone Jr barn that has made their way to the east coast for this spring meet. He hasn’t shown he could handle this turf course, but he has gotten much better since that moment in time. #10 Jarreau drops in for a tag for the first time, which has to be where he belongs. The races at Tampa Bay Downs aren’t great, and he didn’t skip over that track as easily as he should’ve.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 6-9) 2,3 / 4,5 / 2,5 / 6,10 – $48

50¢ Pick 4 (6-9) 2,3,5,7 / 4,5,6 / 2,3,5,6 / 6,10 – $48

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 product below:

Ricky’s Rockets: Belmont Park

Ricky’s Rockets: Keeneland

Ricky’s Rockets: Oaklawn Park