Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Del Mar, Gulfstream Park and Saratoga Picks for August 28, 2021

Ricky’s Rockets 🚀 is ready for the Travers! All summer we have been waiting for this day, but it’s finally here! 13 races on the card, with 7 stakes races to boot. All of the stars are here at Saratoga on Saturday, making it one of the best days in horse racing!

Also included below: my 11-race preview of Del Mar, 12-race preview of Gulfstream Park, 13-race preview of Saratoga!

Del Mar August 28, 2021

Race 8: Maiden Special Weigh for 2-year-olds going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#2 Rockerfeller comes into this one as a “buzz” horse for Bob Baffert. He’s bred absolutely perfectly by Medaglia d’pro with Speightstown on the dam’s side. He was purchased for $750,000 last September at the Keeneland September sale. #10 Encode is the other Bob Baffert horse in this race, but Mario Gutierrez is aboard. More times than not, Abel Cedillo would get the better mount, which would be Rockerfeller.

Race 9: $40,000 Allowance Optional Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 3/8 miles (11 furlongs) on the turf

#4 Liberal proved he can handle the distance, almost taking a similar field gate-to-wire on July 30. Ricky Gonzalez will look to give him the same sort of trip, and get him to the lead right away. #10 Farquhar finished second in the same race Liberal finished fourth. Farquhar saved all the ground he could, but never was able to hold the lead late.

Race 10: Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds and upward going 7 furlongs on the dirt

#4 Mo Mosa looks to get back on track, after losing in the San Diego Handicap (G2) to Express Train in July. He is the most talented horse, but he will probably be too short of a price. #9 C Z Rocket lost to Mo Mosa going 8 furlongs down at Lone Star Park, but there are a few caveats. This is a slight cutback in distance, and will have a fast main track as well.

Race 11: $20,000 Allowance Optional Claiming for California-bred 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the turf

#6 I’ll Stand Taller has gotten better and better since he ran in the Lazaro Barrera Stakes (G3) back in May. He has found where he belongs, and where he can compete. #10 U. S. Danger was on a three-race win streak fro Jonathan Wong, prior to losing at this level last time out. He’s always in danger pushing it too early too often.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 8-11) 2,10 / 4,10 / 4,9 / 6,10 – $48

50¢ Pick 4 (Races 8-11) 2,10 / 4,6,10 / 2,4,6,7,9 / 4,6,10- $45

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