Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Del Mar, Gulfstream Park and Saratoga Picks for August 15, 2021

Ricky’s Rockets 🚀 are back on Sunday afternoon after a great afternoon of racing. From Arlington Park to Del Mar to Saratoga, all the stakes races brought plenty of headlines and storylines to look forward as the year progresses. It’s time to wrap up the week with strong cards from Del Mar, Gulfstream and Saratoga!

Also included below: my 9-race preview of Del Mar, 10-race preview of Gulfstream Park, 10-race preview of Saratoga!

Saratoga August 13, 2021

Race 7: $80,000 Allowance Optional Claiming for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the inner turf

#7 Never Explain really had no excuse not to hold on last time out, but I’m willing forgive it because he was 26/1. He won’t be that price as he attempts this level again. #8 Treason broke his maiden at a huge price, but couldn’t follow it up in his second start. Let’s see what happens as he tries a slightly different spot.

Race 8: $16,000 Claiming for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 7 furlongs on the dirt

#2 Subsidiary hasn’t been close in her last two starts, the sole reason she’s dropping into this spot. With that being said, she has shown speed against tougher. #4 Mongolian Humor has loved running over this track, finishing in the money in both of her starts David Cohen takes over for Benjamin Hernandez on the trainer switch.

Race 9: Galway Stakes for 3-year-old fillies going 5 1/2 furlongs on the Melon turf

#6 Illegal Smile is looking for her first win of the year, after failing to hold off #7 Goin’ Good, when they ruled at Churchill Downs. Wesley Ward has had a tough time finding out exactly where she belongs and what her best distance is. Goin’ Good has won two in a row, beating some of the other competitors in this field. She’s the most talented, but it’s a very tight race.

Race 10: $40,000 Claiming for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the inner turf

#3 Summer in the City hasn’t returned the same way in 2021 that she left in 2020. She broke her maiden last June, and hasn’t been able to find the winners’ circle since that moment in time. #5 Mirabell Mei, like Summer in the City, is looking for her first win of the year. Mirabell Mei needs the fractions to be as fast as possible early on.

THE TICKET

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

50¢ Pick 4 (Races 7-10) 5,7,8 / 2,4,7 / 2,5,6,7,8 / 3,5,12  – $67.50

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: Del Mar

Ricky’s Rockets: Gulfstream Park

Ricky’s Rockets: Saratoga