Ricky’s Rockets ?: Churchill Downs and Gulfstream Park West Picks for November 5, 2020

The Breeders’ Cup entries are out, the excitement is building, and it’s time to build those bankrolls in anticipation for the weekend! Churchill Downs and Gulfstream Park West are on tap as Ricky’s Rockets? looks to continue last week’s momentum. Not sure if we can cash a $511.25 Pick 4, $1,062.75 Pick 5 and the Empire 6 for $3,746.80, but we will try!

Also included below: my 8-race preview of Gulfstream Park West.

Best of luck!

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

#6 Scarred is the only first time starter that is intriguing for a couple of different reasons. He was purchased for $360,000 and is by Into Mischief. He gets Steve Asmussen and Ricardo Santana Jr. who have teamed up to win at 17% in the last 365 days. #9 Vegas Guy showed a lot of positive things in his debut at Keeneland going 6 furlongs last month. The colt by Dominus slowly continued to gain ground on the field, but ultimately ran out of time and never caught the leader. Let’s see if he learned anything from that race.

Race 8: Starter Allowance for 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#4 Haydens Havoc makes his debut against Starter Allowance runners after last being seen at Oaklawn Park at the end of April. The layoff is something to consider, but he’s done okay in similar conditions in the past. #5 Rob the Rich broke his maiden after six career starts for Randy Matthews and the connections at Indiana Downs. This is a logical next spot, and he should fare well here.

Race 9: $150,000 Allowance Optional Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the turf

#4 Parlor faced some of the toughest turf runners in the country in the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland last month. He only finished 3 1/2 furlongs behind those runners, who will be at Keeneland for Breeders’ Cup weekend. #8 Snapper Sinclair made his last start two months ago at Kentucky Downs in the Tourist Mile at Kentucky Downs. He has claimed 3/5 wins in his career on the turf.

Race 10: $20,000 Beaten Claiming for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt

#2 Create a Story looked much better on the dirt, albeit against much softer competition. It’s probably a combination of the drop in class, switch in surfaces, and his second start on the track. #7 Could You has shown speed in all of her starts, but has shown the propensity to fail to hold on down the stretch. She ran at the $30,000 level last time out, so this is a drop in class that makes sense for her.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 7-10) 6,9 / 4,5 / 4,8 / 2,7 – $48

Belmont Park November 5, 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: Churchill Downs

Ricky’s Rockets: Gulfstream Park West