Ricky’s Rockets ?: Belmont Park and Keeneland Picks for October 11, 2020

If you like horse racing, yesterday was the day for you. Plenty of contenders for the Breeders’ Cup stamped their ticket to Keeneland next month. We are back at Belmont for another 10-race card on Sunday afternoon to cap off the weekend!

Also included below: my 9-race preview of Keeneland!

Best of luck!

Race 7: Futurity Stakes (G3) for 2-year-olds going 6 furlongs on the widener turf

#2 After Five was just a nose away from getting the job done at Kentucky Downs going 6 1/2 furlongs on debut. Wesley Ward has primarily been running at Keeneland this fall, but has won 2/3 races here at Belmont at the meet. #10 Trade Deal is the other Wesley Ward runner that comes out of that race at Kentucky Downs. He got the best of After Five, but he had a race under his belt. These two look tough to beat on paper, and will look to add a stakes victory to their resumes moving forward.

Race 8: Maiden Special Weight for 2-year-olds going 7 furlongs on the dirt

#2 Caddo River was asked to go seven furlongs on the dirt at Saratoga in his debut for Brad Cox. He owns the best race out of anyone on paper and should look good in his second career start. #7 Miles D was a $470,000 purchase last year for Peter Brant and company, one of Chad Brown’s longtime owners. This is a daunting distance on debut, but all signs point to this youngster being special.

Race 9: Matron Stakes (G3) for 2-year-old fillies going 6 furlongs on the inner turf

#2 Fabricate will be making her debut on the turf after three straight races on the dirt. She has run into some top-notch fillies in her two stakes races, and might find some value as she tries the turf for the first time. #7 Royal Approval will be happy not to see Campanelle, her stablemate anymore after losing to her in her debut and at Ascot. She dominated when she returned to the states for Wesley Ward at Kentucky Downs in September.

Race 10: $40,000 Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the widener turf

#7 Turn of Events drops down to the Claiming ranks for the first time in his career after running against much better. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see this colt claimed out of this race for Mike Maker, who’s winning at 21% at the meet. #10 Traffic Pattern had the lead the entire race at this level at Saratoga over the summer. For all of the runners returning to this level, he makes the most sense on paper.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 7-10) 2,10 / 2,7 / 2,7 / 7,10 – $48

Belmont Park October 11, 2020

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 new product below:

Ricky’s Rockets: Belmont Park

Ricky’s Rockets: Keeneland