Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Belmont Park, Churchill Downs and Gulfstream Park Picks for June 3, 2021

IT’S BELMONT STAKES WEEK! #RickysRockets🚀 heads to the Belmont Stakes (G1) for the first time since 2015 when American Pharoah won. This timing is just right as well, as we try to continue the momentum into this week after sweeping the card at Belmont Park on Memorial Day. We begin the week with three stakes races on Thursday afternoon, highlighted by the Intercontinental Stakes (G3) and the Wonder Again Stakes (G3). It’s one of the most anticipated weeks of the year, and we are just getting started!

Also included below: my 9-race preview of Belmont Park, 8-race preview of Churchill Downs, 9-race preview of Gulfstream Park!

Best of luck!

Belmont Park June 3, 2021

Race 6: Intercontinental Stakes (G3) for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward going 7 furlongs on the widener turf

#4 Change of Control has finished in the money in every race this year, which includes four stakes races. Her lone win came in the Giant’s Causeway Stakes on April 10 at Keeneland. If there’s any moisture in the track, she will take to it.

Race 7: Astoria Stakes for 2-year-old fillies going 5 1/2 furlongs on the dirt

#4 Happy Soul broke sharply in her second start, and just went clear from the rest of the field. John Velazquez was aboard on a paid workout last time out, and there’s a chance he could be doing the same once again.

Race 8: Wonder Again Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the inner turf

#5 Jouster has only lost one race this year, and that was a close second-place finish in the Florida Oaks (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. She should have no issue traveling 9 furlongs for the first time. #9 Technical Analysis attempts stakes competition for the first time after two straight wins. She has earned the chance to compete at the highest level after her last effort.

Race 9: Maiden Special Weight for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the widener turf

#1A Miss Bonnie T has finished second in three straight races, all in similar situations to this one. There isn’t much to say as she attempts to claim her first victory. #3 Star Command has 6 races on her resume dating back to 2019 when she made her debut that summer. With each race, she’s been showing more and more speed, which should help her tremendously in her Belmont Park debut.

THE TICKET

$10 Pick 4 (Races 6-9) 4 / 4 / 5,9 / 1A,3 – $40

50¢ Pick 4 (Races 6-9)  2,4,8 / 4 / 2,5,6,7,9,10 / 1A,3,6  – $27

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: Belmont Park

Ricky’s Rockets: Churchill Downs

Ricky’s Rockets: Gulfstream Park