Ricky’s Rockets ?: Belmont Park Picks for June 27, 2020

Four graded stakes highlight Saturday’s card and the feature is the Just a Game Stakes (G1), led by the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) winner Uni in her 2020 debut. The early Pick 5 is a tough sequence, but it should pay well.

Best of luck!

Race 1: $40k Claiming for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the inner turf

#2 Sun Summers will be trainer Jane Cibelli’s first runner at the meet as she gets Irad Ortiz, Jr., back aboard. This jockey/trainer combination has 40% in the last 365 days. #6 Peaceful Feeling has supreme gate speed, so if she gets alone on the front end, then she will be tough to catch.

Race 2: $25k Claiming for New York-bred 3-year-olds and upward going 7 furlongs on the dirt

#1 O Shea Can U See is my top choice in this tough spot because he’s finished first or second in 5 of 10 local starts. He’s been consistently running at 6 and 6 1/2 furlongs, but the added distance should help this deep closer. Other runners to use: #2 Horoscope, #4 Invest, #5 Shamrock Kid, #6 Foolish Ghost

Race 3: Starter Allowance for 3-year-olds and upward going 7 furlongs on the outer turf

#2 Kumar tries this distance for the first time as he makes his second straight turf start. After being overmatched against strict allowance company while going 10 furlongs, he should fare much better while cutting back against this group. #8 Bourbon Currency has finished first or second in every start since 2019, regardless of the distance. He takes a step up after defeating $40k claimers over the inner turf here three weeks ago. #9 Albie held his own while going slightly longer here two weeks ago against $40k claimers. He gets Jose Lezcano aboard for the second straight start.

Race 4: $40k Optional Claiming for New York-bred fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#3 Timely Tradition is seeking her third straight win while continuing to face tougher competition. She owns two wins over this track and looks to be in her best form as she returns to face state-bred rivals.

Race 5: Maiden Special Weight for New York-bred 3-year-olds and upward going 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt

#2 Farragut put forth his best performance on a muddy local track after being away for nearly months. A repeat of that performance is good enough to beat this group, and Reylu Gutierrez staying aboard for the third straight start is encouraging. #5 Flying Finish has every right to improve from his debut at Gulfstream Park when he stumbled out of the gate and was stuck at the back of the pack. Irad Ortiz, Jr,. kept him motivated to pass horses in the stretch. He has every reason to improve while dropping to the state-bred level. #11 Papa Luke showed speed in his debut but tired quickly as he made his way through the far turn. He posted a bullet work on June 22 and if Luis Saez does a better job of harnessing his speed in the second start, then he can go gate-to-wire.

THE TICKET

50¢ PICK 5 (Races 1-5) 2,6 / 1,2,4,5,6 / 2,8,9 / 2,3,7 / 2,5,11 – $135