Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Belmont Park, Keeneland and Oaklawn Park Picks for April 22, 2021

#RickysRockets🚀 are back but with a twist! On Thursday afternoon, we head back to Belmont Park for the first time since last fall. This has historically been one of our better meets, and we can’t wait to attack! After a massive weekend, we are back looking to strike while the iron is hot! Thursday afternoon is full of action with live racing from Belmont, Keeneland and Oaklawn!

Also included below: my 8-race preview of Belmont Park, 9-race preview of Keeneland, 9-race preview of Oaklawn Park!

Best of luck!

Belmont Park April 22, 2021

Race 5: $80,000 Allowance Optional Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the widener turf

#3 Maxwell Esquire was finishing first and second in every race over the summer and the early fall before his race in the Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship. He oozes class and talent compared to the rest of this field. Irad Ortiz Jr. will be aboard the top contender in this race. #7 Battle Station comes out of the same race, but he didn’t fare quite as well. He is also talented but based on the odds he’s gone off at, he probably was a little overmatched. I prefer Battle Station to Maxwell Esquire due to his front-running style.

Race 6: Maiden Special Weight for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/4 miles (10 furlongs) on the inner turf

#2 Coalition Building makes her second start off of the layoff, after not having run since 2019. She returned in solid form at Gulfstream Park in January, but that won’t be good enough to win here. #8 Ceant is 0/8 in her career, but she really enjoyed this turf course last October. I’m not sure if getting back to this track will make that much of a difference, but I think it will be a factor very overlooked.

Race 7: Allowance for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt

#2 Aunt Kat certainly took to the cut-back in distance when she was given the chance to sprint for the first time in her career. She took the lead from the start and drew away from the field, winning by close to double-digit lengths. She most likely will be the favorite after that dominant win. #5 Ruvies in Time is looking for her third win in a row after breaking her maiden and winning the Videogenic Stakes last month. That was a relatively weak group, but it was a win with relative ease nonetheless.

Race 8: $40,000 Maiden Claiming for New York-bred fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the widener turf

#9 Mondeuse drops in for a tag for the first time in her career. David Donk has done a great job in the past getting his runners to run well for the first time in for a tag. #13 Mazal Eighteen draws into this race, and immediately becomes my top choice. She should be forwardly placed, and the drop in for a tag makes her even that much more appealing.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 5-8) 3,7 / 2,8 / 2,5 / 9,13 – $48

50¢ Pick 4 (5-8) 3,7 / 1,2,5,7,8 / 2,5 / 3,5,9,13 – $40

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: Keeneland

Ricky’s Rockets: Oaklawn Park