Ricky’s Rockets ?: Aqueduct, Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park Picks for December 31, 2020

Ricky’s Rockets? looks to end 2020 on the right note as we attack racing from across the country. We brought home some big tickets including a late Pick 4 ($232.75), late Pick 5 ($608.85) and Pick 6 (1,028.34) last week. You don’t want to miss this as the calendar year ends.

Also included below: my 10-race preview of Gulfstream Park and 9-race preview of Santa Anita.

Best of luck!

Race 5: $50,000 Starter Optional Claiming for 2-year-olds going 7 furlongs on the dirt

#2 Fire Sword will only be Wesley Ward’s third runner the entire meet. Ward doesn’t run many horses here at Aqueduct so it always raises eyebrows when he does. His runner dominated at the $50,000 Maiden Claiming level in his debut at Keeneland in his only race. #9 Conformist also dominated in his only race at Keeneland, but that came at the $40,000 level. He was claimed out of that race, so it will be up to Rob Atras to continue to get the best out of him in this spot. It’s also a positive that Tyler Gaffalione picked up the mount in his debut a couple of months ago, one of the best riders in the country.

Race 6: $20,000 Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the dirt

#4 Durkin’s Call doesn’t have a lot on paper that would make someone fall in love with him. The thing I like most would be his ability to overcome tough circumstances in regards to his trips. If he doesn’t have to go extremely wide, he has shown the ability to close at this level. #10 Heavy Roller finished just behind Durkin’s Call when they faced each other on December 3. The pace was extremely quick, which certainly helped the runners coming from well off of the pace.

Race 7: Allowance for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#4 Letmetakethiscall has run her best races going 6 furlongs, evidenced by her win at close to 15/1 by over 6 lengths. Dylan Davis was aboard for that race, and his instructions will be to get her to the lead once again. #6 Palomita will have one final chance to capture her first win in 2020 for Chad Brown who’s winning at 43% at Aqueduct. She has been extremely consistent for Brown, but has yet to find that elusive win. She’s finished in the money in 5/6 races going 6 furlongs in her career.

Race 8: $25,000 Maiden Claiming for New York-bred fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#3 Sweet Sneak looks to be a logical choice on paper after finishing second by a length at the $40,000 level last time out. She hasn’t been her best sprinting, but this will certainly be the weakest field she’s ever faced. #13 Plink Freud could be a value play here as she looks to make her dirt debut a winning one. We know she can sprint considering she’s gone 6 furlongs in 4/13 races. In a wide open race, I’m willing to take a chance with her.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 5-8) 2,9 / 4,10 / 4,6 / 3,13 – $48

Aqueduct December 31, 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 product below:

Ricky’s Rockets: Aqueduct

Ricky’s Rockets: Gulfstream Park

Ricky’s Rockets: Santa Anita