Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Belmont Park, Keeneland and Santa Anita Picks for October 9, 2021

Ricky’s Rockets 🚀 are back on Saturday afternoon, and it’s going to be one of those special days. We were able to close out the day with a second straight FREE Pick 4 as well! We are covering 9 stakes races on the day, with 8 of those listed as graded-stakes races. It’s the first massive Saturday of action at Keeneland as well, as the march towards the Breeders’ Cup rolls on. This is the final Saturday of Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In races as well, giving us a clearer picture of who we might see in early November!

Also included below: my 11-race preview of Belmont Park, 11-race preview of Keeneland and 9-race preview of Santa Anita!

Belmont Park October 9, 2021

Race 8: Allowance for New York-bred 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the inner turf

#3 Phantom Smoke ran second at this level last time out, in his first start of the year. Look for him to be a lot sharper in his second start off of the layoff. #11 Neuro also finished second at this level, when he faced this group on Labor Day weekend. Neuro has endured the most success when he’s had Javier Castellano aboard.

Race 9: $20,000 Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the dirt

#5 Counter Offer certainly enjoyed getting back to the dirt last time out, winning by over 6 lengths. It was against a small field, but he had no issues dominating. #7 Daddy Knows returns to this level for the first time since July 4. Ray Handal was a touch too aggressive placing him against Allowance Optional Claiming runners up at Saratoga.

Race 10: $80,000 Allowance Optional Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the inner turf

#4 Big Package looks to make it two in a row, after using the stretch to capture his second win of the year. He needs the fractions to be extremely quick early on to run his best race. #6 Noble Emotion has had a fantastic year, but his last two races haven’t resulted in wins. He belongs with this group, and fits in well here at 7/2.

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

#6 Tackle drops in for a tag for the first time in his career. He has looked better on the turf compared to the dirt, but he was never going to win against Maiden Special Weight competition. #10 Viking Zim has run second at this level in two straight races, one for Jeremiah Englehart, and one for Bonnie Lucas. He will win if no one else can raise their game to his level.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 8-11) 3,11 / 5,7 / 4,6 / 6,10 – $48

50¢ Pick 4 (Races 8-11) 3,8,11 / 5,7,8 / 4,5,6 / 6,10,12 – $40.50

My product is now on the Handicapping Products Page! To purchase, click one of the links below to go to the products page. My product includes full card plays, featuring race-by-race analysis, my top four picks for each race, and full-card multi-race wagers. Check it out below:

Ricky’s Rockets: Belmont Park

Ricky’s Rockets: Keeneland

Ricky’s Rockets: Santa Anita