Ricky’s Rockets ?: Belmont Park, Churchill Downs and Gulfstream Park Picks for September 19, 2020

Opening day at Belmont Park was fantastic, but this is where things take another step forward. Saturday’s feature is the Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1) for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/4 miles (10 furlongs) on the inner turf. 

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

Best of luck!

Race 7: Maiden Special Weight for 2-year-old fillies going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the widener turf

#1 Frankel At Ascot performed one of the craziest things I’ve ever on a track. She ducked in through the rail at the 1/8 pole, a move that cost her the win. Hopefully she doesn’t have any antics like that again. #6 Amortization has one of the best trainers on the circuit with Chad Brown. Brown is winning at 24% with 2-year-olds in the last 365 days. He is winning at 27% when Javier Castellano rides for him as well, in the last 365 days.

Race 8: Allowance for New York-bred fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

Jorge Abreu has two starters that could be favorites on their own merit if they were uncoupled. #1 Flashpackinbarbie should be on the lead and tough to catch as she looks to stay undefeated at Belmont. #4 Shesasuperfreak will get another chance try this level. She will need to be better if she wants to win.

Race 9: $40,000 Allowance Optional Claiming for New York-bred 3-year-olds and upward going 7 furlongs on the widener turf

#4 Opt should have a chance at price due to his closing running-style. There’s a lot of early speed, and he’s one of the closers that has done well in the past closing into quick fractions. #7 Maxwell Esquire ran second at this level last time out on August 15 at Saratoga. He also is a deep-closer and should have an opportunity to pick off horses in the stretch.

Race 10: $40,000 Maiden Claiming for New York-bred 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the inner turf

#4 Fast Gordon tried turf for the first last on August 21 at the Maiden Special Weight level. I’m interested to see how he does as he drops in for a tag for the first time. #6 On the Couch was forced seven-side in his debut and managed to still make up ground in the stretch. He gets blinkers for the first time for Jorge Duarte Jr. as well. Duarte Jr. is winning at 25% when adding blinkers in the last 365 days.

THE TICKET

$5 Pick 4 (Races 6-9) 1,6 / 1 / 4,7 / 4,6 – $40

Belmont Park September 19, 2020

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Ricky’s Rockets: Belmont Park

Ricky’s Rockets: Churchill Downs

Ricky’s Rockets: Gulfstream Park