Ricky’s Rockets ?: Del Mar, Gulfstream Park and Saratoga Picks for August 9, 2020

Saturdays at Saratoga (like the one we just saw with the Travers Stakes [G1]) are one of many reasons why the sport is so great. Sunday’s feature is the Alydar Stakes for 4-year-olds and upward going 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the dirt

Also included below: my 12-race preview of Gulfstream Park and 11-race preview of Del Mar!

Best of luck!

Race 7: $40,000 Claiming for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 5 1/2 furlongs on the outer turf

#4 Aunt Nadine almost got the job done off of the layoff. She tried turf for the first time after leaving Jorge Navarro’s barn and looked impressive. She should improve in her second start off of the layoff. #5 Mo Me Mo My deserves a pass after shipping across the country after making her first start in New York. Joel Rosario is aboard for Doug O’Neill who is looking for his first winner at the meet. #10 Summer Fortune has been facing better on the dirt. She’s a daughter by Violence but going dirt/turf hasn’t been a move Jeremiah Englehart has had a ton of success with. She’s talented but will this move affect her ability at all?

Race 8: Allowance for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the inner turf

#3 Shamrocket faced winners for the first time last time out for the red-hot Christophe Clement barn. A repeat of her last effort makes her the most likely winner. #6 Forever Poe makes his first start in Chad Brown’s barn after running in Don Chatlos’ barn for OXO Equine. #8 City Man has faced tough competition on dirt and turf in his 3-year-old career. He almost beat the highly-touted Field Pass at Keeneland in the Transylvania Stakes (G3) on July 7. This is the first time in his career he will go 9 furlongs. 

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

#1 Endorsed will be happy to see Vekoma, Network Effect, and Code of Honor not lined up next to him. This is a much easier stakes race and he is clearly the horse to beat. #5 Bodexpress has one way of running. He’s never been to Saratoga, but Javier Castellano knows he has to go to the lead. He will surely be on the front end for Gustavo Delgado. 

Race 10: $25,000 Maiden Claiming for New York-bred 3-year-olds and upward going 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt

#1 Imperio D has races in his past that make him competitive in this spot? Will he get the job done in his 10th career start? #8 Brunate really took to Saratoga when he made his seventh career start. Jimmy Bond is winning at 26% at the meet, and is one of the more underrated trainers in New York. #9 Pier Forty has almost run out of chances. However, he makes his first start in for a tag on the dirt. This is the last chance he will get.

THE TICKET

$1 Pick 4 (Races 7-10) 4,5,10 / 3,6,8 / 1,5 / 1,8,9 – $54

Saratoga August 9, 2020

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Ricky’s Rockets: Saratoga

Ricky’s Rockets: Gulfstream Park

Ricky’s Rockets: Del Mar