Ricky’s Rockets ?: Del Mar, Gulfstream Park and Saratoga Picks for August 15, 2020

After getting hot at Del Mar to end a tough Friday afternoon, we are back on a monster Saturday across the country. It’s a 3-year-old’s world on Saturday at the SPA. The 140th running of the Alabama Stakes (G1) is back, headlined by Swiss Skydiver. NYRA also brought back the Saratoga Derby after A Thread of Blue won last year’s inaugural running.

Also included below: my 11-race preview of Gulfstream Park and 11-race preview of Del Mar!

Best of luck!

Race 8: Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes for 3-year-olds going 1 3/16 miles (9 1/2 furlongs) on the outer turf

#2 Decorated Invader and #7 Field Pass have taken the country by storm as the best 3-year-olds on turf. The two have combined for seven wins in eight starts all at the stakes level. Decorated Invader will be the shorter price of the two at post-time as Christophe Clement has all of his horses running their best as of late.

Race 9: Alabama Stakes (G1) for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/4 miles (10 furlongs) on the dirt

#5 Swiss Skydiver faced the boys for the first time and ran incredibly well for Kenny McPeek. She finished second in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) to Art Collector, who is probably the second best 3-year-old in the country behind Tiz the Law. She will be a heavy favorite as she makes her Saratoga debut.

Race 10: $40,000 Allowance Optional Claiming for New York-bred 3-year-olds and upward going 5 1/2 furlongs on the outer turf

#2 Shiraz was claimed last time out and returned to Mike Maker’s barn where he’s made most of his starts in his career. #9 Bustin Shout runs back at this level for Bruce Levine and Roddy Valente. He was very game as he lost the lead for a brief moment, but fought valiantly to win at the wire over fellow competitors Royal Asset and Valmont.

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

#4 Bricco has gotten closer and closer to breaking his maiden every single time. Will he get the job done in his fourth start? #8 Mommie’s Jewel finished third behind Bricco in that start on July 24. Mommie’s Jewel showed the way and did the dirty work leading into the far turn. Joel Rosario will do whatever he can to get to the front end and slow down the pace.

THE TICKET

$10 Pick 4 (Races 8-11) 2,7 / 5 / 2,9 / 4,8 – $80

Saratoga August 15, 2020

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Ricky’s Rockets: Saratoga

Ricky’s Rockets: Gulfstream

Ricky’s Rockets: Del Mar