Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Belmont Park, Churchill Downs and Gulfstream Park Picks for June 26, 2021

HAPPY STEPHEN FOSTER DAY!! #RickysRockets🚀 looks to close out the Churchill Downs meet with a big day on Saturday afternoon. Outside of the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby, this is the biggest day of the year. It’s the perfect way to end the meet, and we intend on cashing some big tickets in the process!

Also included below: my 10-race preview of Belmont Park, 12-race preview of Churchill Downs, 12-race preview of Gulfstream Park!

Belmont Park June 26, 2021

Race 7: $80,000 Allowance Optional Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/4 miles (10 furlongs) on the inner turf

#3 Rockemperor only lost to Domestic Spending by 7 lengths, which is a pretty good effort. He has no reason not to win this race by open lengths. #5 Dynadrive looks to be the second best on paper, given some of the company he’s run against. Mike Maker is as good as anyone with a turf runner here in New York.

Race 8: Mother Goose Stakes (G2) for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the dirt

#1 Make Mischief ran her tail off in the Acorn Stakes (G1) against Search Results, but she was a close third. She will face in my opinion the best filly in the country in #2 Always Carina. This filly has been the most impressive in my eyes, and I think it’s a matter of time until she takes over as the top filly in the 3-year-old division.

Race 9: Wild Applause Stakes for 3-year-old fillies going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the widener turf

This is a wide open stakes race, but #2 Minaun has to be taken seriously given her U.S. debut. This filly already won a stakes in Ireland less than a year ago. #3 Lovestruck is undefeated in her career, but this will be her toughest test to date. This is also her first race of the year, so let’s see what the layoff does to her if anything at all.

Race 10: Maiden Special Weight for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the inner turf

#1 Milestone Payment makes her first start of the year but Chad Brown and Irad Ortiz Jr. are too tough to pass up. Brown is one of the best trainers with horses trying to overcome lengthy layoffs. #11 Gailhorsewind took a big step up in her second start and should be even better here. Jose Lezcano pickup the mount for the second straight race.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 7-10) 3,5 / 1,2 / 2,3 / 1,11 – $48

50¢ Pick 4 (Races 7-10) 4,8,11,12 / 1,2 / 1,2,4,6 / 3,6,8  – $60

My product is now on the Handicapping Products Page! To purchase, click one of the links below to go to the products page. My product includes full card plays, featuring race-by-race analysis, my top four picks for each race, and full-card multi-race wagers. Check it out below:

Ricky’s Rockets: Belmont Park

Ricky’s Rockets: Churchill Downs

Ricky’s Rockets: Gulfstream Park