Ricky’s Rockets ?: Aqueduct and Churchill Downs Picks for November 19, 2020

The Breeders’ Cup has officially ended, but the action rolls on Thursday afternoon from Aqueduct and Churchill Downs. The great thing about this sport is there are new headlines to look forward too, and the Pegasus World Cup is next January at Gulfstream Park!

Also included below: my 9-race preview of Churchill Downs.

Best of luck!

Race 7: $62,500 Allowance Optional Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the dirt

#2 High Velocity hasn’t seen the same success coming to the east coast he once had in California. Hopefully he can find his form once again as he makes his debut at Aqueduct. #7 Three Technique was facing some of the best three year olds in the country over the summer in the Allen Jerkins (G1) at Saratoga and the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn in the spring. He outclasses this group by quite a large margin.

Race 8: Starter Allowance for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the inner turf

#1 Kitten by the Sea gets back to the turf after running in a race that was taken off of the turf. All 4 of her in the money starts have come on the turf. #12 Princess Fawzia has finished in the money in all of her starts in her career. John Velazquez hasn’t won on any of Linda Rice’s runners in the last 365 days, albeit in only four attempts.

Race 9: Allowance for 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the outer turf

#1 Duress looks to continue his winning streak and stay undefeated at Aqueduct. In his only race last year, he grinded his way to a victory. Jose Ortiz also gets aboard for the first time since he broke his maiden last year at Belmont Park. #5 Ahead of Plan will look to make it three wins in a row after breaking his maiden over the summer, and winning at the Starter Allowance level. This is a step up in class, but he’s in the best form of his life in his career.

Race 10: $16,000 Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#6 Freedom Force tries claiming competition for thee first time in his career. He broke his maiden in his previous barn, and will look to help Jeremiah Englehart his hot streak. He’s finished in the money with 5/6 runners during the Aqueduct fall meet. #13 Principal Dancer looks to be the toughest on paper who tries this same spot again. He hasn’t run since August 28 at Saratoga, so maybe the time off will help him. His trainer Jimmy Bond is winning at 17% when his runners return off the bench between 60-180 days.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 6-9) 2,7 / 1,12 / 1,5 / 6,13 – $48

Aqueduct November 19, 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: Aqueduct

Ricky’s Rockets: Churchill Downs