Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Belmont Park, Churchill Downs and Oaklawn Park Picks for May 1, 2021

There is so much to unpack on the first Saturday in May, as #RickysRockets🚀 takes on Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby. We weren’t able to watch the Kentucky Derby last May, so this year’s edition is even more special. Not only do we have the Kentucky Derby, we have six other stakes races on the docket as well! It’s an action-packed day, and we have all the coverage right here, so we all could make some money!

Also included below: my 11-race preview of Belmont Park, 14-race preview of Churchill Downs, 12-race preview of Oaklawn Park!

Best of luck!

Belmont Park May 1, 2021

Race 8: Maiden Special Weight for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the inner turf

#9 Candy Jar has finished second in three straight races, so the question is: Why can’t he get the job done? Bill Mott hasn’t been able to figure out the winning formula as of yet, but the talent is there. #10 Strafe should want this turf course given his pedigree. This daughter by War Front tried the dirt in her first two professional efforts on the track. 

Race 9: $80,000 Allowance Optional Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt

#8 Secret Rules has never finished outside of the top three, but only two of those races have resulted in wins. Edgard Zayas comes to New York to ride, and he’s a significant upgrade over his previous riders. #10 Pete’s Play Call makes his 50th career start, which is an incredible stat. He’s still going strong, and should be able to win in this spot.

Race 10: Sheepshead Bay Stakes (G2) for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward going 1 3/8 miles (11 furlongs) on the inner turf

#4 Always Shopping only has one loss on her resume this year, and that was to War Like Goddess, who’s been one of the older fillies/mares on the turf. This mare for Todd Pletcher will be incredibly tough to beat if he repeats that effort. #6 My Sister Nat is 0/4 at Belmont Park, having finished second and third in all of her starts here. She shouldn’t have her most recent effort counted against her, having finished 9th in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) last fall.

Race 11: $40,000 Maiden Claiming for New York-bred fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the widener turf

#9 Kiss and Run comes back to New York after a brief stint on the west coast for Robert Falcone Jr. Her races out west did get a little better, but still not good enough for her to win. If she finishes in the top three, it would be the first time she’s ever done that. #12 Bewps will try the turf for the first time in her career, after three efforts on the main track at Aqueduct. Steve Asmussen is searching for answers here, and maybe the turf will help him find the right situation for his filly.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 8-11) 9,10 / 8,10 / 4,6 / 9,12 – $48

50¢ Pick 4 (8-11)  9,10,11 / 2,4,8,10 / 4,6 / 2,9,11,12 – $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: Belmont Park

Ricky’s Rockets: Churchill Downs

Ricky’s Rockets: Oaklawn Park