Ricky’s Rockets ?: Aqueduct, Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park Picks for January 1, 2021

As we close out 2020 and look forward to what’s to come in 2021, there’s plenty to be excited about. Horse racing as a sport is thriving better than ever, and we have plenty of action across the country. Ricky’s Rockets? has wall-to-wall action from Aqueduct, Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita on Friday afternoon.

Also included below: my 11-race preview of Gulfstream Park and 9-race preview of Santa Anita.

Best of luck!

Race 6: $25,000 Claiming for 4-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#2 Montaulk Daddy was last seen on the dirt when he was running for Linda Rice at the Allowance levels at Saratoga over the summer. He wasn’t bad in that race, but even then he was scheduled to run on the grass. He’s only made two dirt starts in nine career races. #6 Spitball on the other hand, has finished in the money in his 2/3 races on the dirt. Even though he has some turf races on his resume, no one would argue his best races have come on the main track.

Race 7: Allowance for 4-year-olds and upward going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the dirt

#2 Obsessed only tried this level once, but that came on the turf where he simply didn’t look comfortable. He might not be good enough to run at this level, but I’m willing to give him another chance considering he simply doesn’t want to run on the turf. #8 Edge of Fire has only made one start since July 2, so he clearly has a tough time staying fit enough to run. He gets a chance to start his 2021 campaign after a promising beginning to his 2020 one. 

Race 8: Jerome Stakes for 3-year-olds going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the dirt

#2 Swill looks the horse to beat on the track and on paper as he tries stakes competition for the first time in his career. I will admit this isn’t the toughest stakes field of all time, but it’s a stakes race nonetheless. #4 Eagle Orb was one of the better New York-bred 2-year-olds in 2020, but he will be up against it as he faces Swill for the first time. This will also be his first race against non state-bred competition.

Race 9: $25,000 Maiden Claiming fore New York-bred 4-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#9 Paynt the Edges posted the quickest workout on December 27 going 4 furlongs in :47.61. That’s extremely quick no matter what, and 8/1 I’m willing to take a chance on him. #11 Devilish Mood finished second in his debut on the turf back in March. He’s tough to predict since he hasn’t run in close to 10 months, but he was pretty solid in his debut at Tampa Bay Downs.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 6-9) 2,6 / 2,8 / 2,4 / 9,11 – $48

Aqueduct January 1, 2021

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