Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Del Mar, Gulfstream Park and Saratoga Picks for August 22, 2021

What a Saturday at Saratoga and Del Mar! Every weekend brings new storylines, surprises and treats. It was a can’t miss weekend, but we do have one more day of racing. Weather across the country hasn’t been great, so if you’re caught up in it, it’s a perfect day to relax and watch some horse racing! Ricky’s Rockets 🚀 is back on Saturday to cover it all from Del Mar, Gulfstream Park and Saratoga.

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

Saratoga August 21, 2021

Race 7: Allowance for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 3/8 miles (11 furlongs) on the inner turf

#1 Rhythm Section lost his best chance to win last time out, when the race was taken off of the grass. She lost to a dirt specialist in Claytnthelionheart at the end of July. #6 Exult moves up in class off of his win at Churchill Downs. He will need a fast pace up front if he’s going to catch this field facing much tougher. 

Race 8: $35,000 Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 5 1/2 furlongs on the dirt OFF TURF

#8 Montaulk Daddy always has the lead out of the gate, but he tends to let that lead slip as well. Ricardo Santana Jr. takes over for Irad Ortiz Jr. in this one. ALSO USING: #12 DEVIOUS MO

Race 9: Summer Colony Stakes for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward going 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the dirt

#2 Horologoist showed a ton of speed when she ran in the Shuvee Stakes (G3) at the beginning of the meet, failing to hold off Royal Flag. #6 Gold Spirit made her U.S. debut in the Shuvee Stakes last month, and did pretty well. Expect her to take another step forward in this stakes event.

Race 10: $40,000 Maiden Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 7 furlongs on the dirt OFF TURF

#6 Boldish easily ran his best race on the turf last time out, at this level. Luis Saez had a choice to make in this field, and he chose #10 Bail Out, who is scratched. ALSO USING: #16 RUDY ROD

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 7-10) 1,6 / 8,12 / 2,6 / 6,16 – $48

50¢ Pick 4 (Races 7-10) 1,5,6 / 8,12,14,15 / 2,6 / 4,6,16 – $36

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