Ricky’s Rockets ?: Aqueduct, Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Picks for February 19, 2020

Ricky’s Rockets ? certainly enjoyed Santa Anita last week and will head back there on Friday afternoon. After a slow Thursday due to weather across the country, we get back to action from New York, Florida and California. Oaklawn Park has cancelled racing through the end of his week.

Also included below: my 8-race preview of Aqueduct, 10-race preview of Gulfstream Park and 9-race preview of Santa Anita.

Best of luck!

Gulfstream Park February 19, 2020

Race 7: $20,000-$16,000 Claiming for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the turf

#5 Kitten’s Finest drops in class and should be taken seriously on that angle alone. I don’t like the fact Robby Albarado is aboard, who hasn’t managed to win a race since the beginning of the meet. Maybe this is his chance to get things going in the right direction. #7 She Fled the Scene is on my ticket because she’s so consistent. Consistency at this level is hard to come by, and we know she’ll put forth a quality effort here.

Race 8: $35,000-$25,000 Claiming for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#3 Liza Star isn’t in the same form she was in last summer, but finds herself in the perfect spot. She wins the “class” award by a mile and still possesses enough talent to win here. #5 Extra Effort should run well here sprinting on the dirt based on her early speed. She’s gone a lot of surfaces and distances in the past, but this is a good move for her.

Race 9: $16,000 Allowance Optional Claiming for Florida-bred fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward going 5 furlongs on the turf

#5 Song River proved she belongs at this level based on her second-place finish earlier this year. It’s possible she has matured and will get better as 2021 progresses. Tyler Gaffalione getting back aboard is an encouraging sign as well. #8 Daddy’s Joy will get back to sprinting after going two turns last time out. Based on her running lines, she should be the overwhelming favorite here.

Race 10: $16,000 Maiden Claiming for 3-year-olds going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the turf

#5 Happy Champ will look to improve as he gets into a new barn. It’s possible he can’t run at all and we will find that out here, but Peter Walder is well known for being able to get runners to improve quickly. There’s a reason he comes into this spot as the morning-line favorite. #8 Young Flint showed massive improvement last time out and established himself at this level. He will need a quick pace early on to help set up his ability to close. This could be the first time he enters the gate as a favorite as well.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 7-10) 5,7 / 3,5 / 5,8 / 5,8 – $48

50¢ Pick 4 (7-10) 5,6,7 / 1,3,5,6 / 2,3,5,8 / 5,8 – $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: Aqueduct

Ricky’s Rockets: Gulfstream Park

Ricky’s Rockets: Santa Anita