Ricky’s Rockets ?: Del Mar, Gulfstream Park and Saratoga Picks for August 14, 2020

We are back at the SPA on another Friday afternoon! Friday’s feature is the Perfect Sting Stakes for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the inner turf.

Also included below: my 9-race preview of Gulfstream Park and 9-race preview of Del Mar!

Best of luck!

Race 7: $35,000 Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 5 1/2 furlongs on the outer turf

The Wesley Ward-trained duo #1 No Bang No Boom and #1A Onthewaytonevrland are both bred for this turf sprint. Both runners would vie for favoritism if they weren’t a coupled entry as they kick off the Late Pick 4. #3 Fig Jelly makes his first start in the claiming ranks. He’s ultra-talented but likes to finish second and fails to get the job done quite often.

Race 8: $40,000 Allowance Optional Claiming for New York-bred 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#2 Thorny Tale has been productive in the past, but clearly hasn’t put his best foot forward at Saratoga. He’s earned over $150,000 and a massive performance at Saratoga is on the way. #4 Tale of the Union has been favored in all four of his starts. The Bob Baffert trainee will most likely take the most money once again in this spot.

Race 9: $62,500 Allowance Optional Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 3/16 miles (9 1/2 furlongs) on the outer turf

The Klaravich Stables and Chad Brown duo is back with #1A Value Engineering. With #1 Voting Control out, Value Engineering will stand alone as a single entry. #4 Mr. Alec lost to Value Engineering on June 11 at Belmont. That was his first start of the year and deserves a pass. He is the most likely to knock off the talented duo. #7 Conviction Trade may be in the perfect spot if the early pace collapses late down the stretch. #8 Current was in over his head in the United Nations (G1) last time out. He is a logical choice at the Allowance Optional Claiming level.

Race 10: $40,000 Maiden Claiming for New York-bred fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the inner turf

#4 Courted showed speed at this level on the turf but was pushed into submission after a quick opening quarter. Joel Rosario is an upgrade over Eric Cancel who did her no favors. #8 Lucky Latkes comes out of the same race as Courted did. He was coming on strong late, but was forced to take up after coming on heels in the stretch. 

THE TICKET

$0.50 Pick 4 (Races 7-10) 1-1A,3 / 2,4 / 1A,4,7,8 / 4,8 – $16

Saratoga August 14, 2020

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Ricky’s Rockets: Saratoga

Ricky’s Rockets: Gulfstream

Ricky’s Rockets: Del Mar