Ricky’s Rockets ?: Aqueduct, Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Picks for February 21, 2020

Ricky’s Rockets ? has not been hindered at all by no racing at Oaklawn Park, or a weekend without any Kentucky Derby preps. Aqueduct came through again with another Pick 5 paying close to $1,500!! We’ve been cashing tickets all weekend and don’t plan to stop as we close out the weekend with high-quality racing across the country.

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

Best of luck!

Santa Anita February 21, 2020

Race 6: $50,000 Allowance Optional Claiming for California-bred 3-year-old fillies going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#3 Maddie’s Mojito came back in 2021 and looked like a world-beater. This filly looked spectacular, mature, and extremely professional in her second race. Her upside is through the roof based on her most recent race. #6 Becca Taylor hasn’t lost a race in her career, but her best effort came on the turf. She’s talented but I’m still not sure what her best surface is, given she hasn’t lost on either one.

Race 7: $40,000-$35,000 Claiming for 4-year-olds and upward going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf

#4 Jamming Eddy shouldn’t have a problem dropping in for a tag here based on his competitiveness against Allowance Optional Claiming runners. Flavien Prat will most likely be on the favorite when they break from the gate. #6 Via Egnatia has shown he can go two turns in his most recent races, but it’s very obvious going shorter distances is what he’s best at. His biggest issue is his lack of consistency as he tries to put back-to-back quality races together. 

Race 8: Spring Fever Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#6 Square Peggy has one chance to win this race and that’s by getting to the lead as quickly as possible. She’s gone gate-to-wire against some of these fillies and mares in the past. #7 Bella Vita has never finished outside of the top three in her career, but how will she respond not having run since last May. Assuming Simon Callaghan has her ready to roll, she will be extremely tough to beat.

Race 9: $50,000-$45,000 Maiden Claiming for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf

#10 New Drama closed well when she tried turf sprinting last March in her second career race. We haven’t seen her since that race and comes into this one as a complete unknown. Dropping her in for a tag is a move that has me excited about her. #11 Bristol Bayou is 0/12 in her career, but it’s hard to argue she won’t be competitive based on her last race at this level.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 6-9) 3,6 / 4,6 / 6,7 / 10,11 – $48

50¢ Pick 4 (6-9) 3,6 / 4,6,9,10 / 2,4,6,7 / 6,10,11 – $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