Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Belmont Park, Churchill Downs and Gulfstream Park Picks for May 13, 2021

#RickysRockets🚀 stayed on fire last week, bringing in winning tickets totaling $3,912.04, including a FREE 50¢ Pick 4 for $227.25 and a $3 Pick 4 for $1,363.50! Now that it’s Preakness Stakes (G1) week, it’s time to lock in and focus on making it an even better week. We will start on Thursday afternoon with racing from Belmont, Churchill Downs and Gulfstream Park.

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

Best of luck!

Belmont Park May 13, 2021

Race 6: $12,500 Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 7 furlongs on the dirt

#3 Eagle Pass has loved running at Belmont Park, capturing two of his eight wins here. He’s also undefeated over this track, and has never finished worse than second going 7 furlongs. There’s a lot to like about the Ray Handal runner. #11 Clear the Mine on the other hand has been awful at Belmont Park, having never finished in the money in three starts. He will be making his 60th start which is an accomplishment in itself. Irad Ortiz Jr. picking up the mount is encouraging as well.

Race 7: Allowance for 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#1 Stage Left hasn’t been on the track since October 22, which makes me question if he’s going to be ready for this spot. Wesley Ward has been able to get his runners to finish in the money at 80% at the meet, so I’m not going to fade any of his runners here. #3 Binkster hasn’t won a race in quite some time, so why do I like him here? Manny Franco is easily the best rider he’s had in quite some time, and this is one of the easier Allowance fields he’s been in as well.

Race 8: $45,000 Allowance Optional Claiming for New York-bred 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the inner turf

#6 Good Old Boy returns to New York after two starts in Florida to kick off his 2021 campaign. Irad Ortiz Jr. was his main rider here in New York last year, and immediately will look to find that form he had last year. #8 Step Dancer wasn’t great in the Cutler Bay Stakes, but he should be better in this spot. This field will be the easiest he’s faced since his maiden win.

Race 9: Maiden Special Weight for New York-bred 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the widener turf

#1 Feathers Road will try the turf for the first time after having a miserable time over a sloppy track in February. That wasn’t the field to face, in which the second and third-place finishers went on to win their next races. #3 Saratoga Flash will try sprinting on the turf for the first time after traveling 8 furlongs in two straight efforts. Jose Ortiz rides for the third straight time.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 6-9) 3,11 / 1,3 / 6,8 / 1,3 – $48

50¢ Pick 4 (Races 6-9)  3,11,13 / 1,3,4,7 / 5,6,8 / 1,3,10  – $54

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