Ricky’s Rockets ?: Del Mar, Gulfstream Park and Saratoga Picks for August 8, 2020

In a year where everything seems wrong, having the Travers’ on Saturday August 8, just feels right. On paper it sets up as a two-horse race between Tiz the Law and Uncle Chuck, but will someone else spoil the party?

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

Best of luck!

Race 9: Waya Stakes (G3) for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward going 1 1/2 miles (12 furlongs) on the inner turf

#1 Mrs. Sippy is undefeated at Saratoga and always could use more ground as she can run for days. #4 My Sister Nat will try this distance for the first time in the United States. She has fallen short a few times and this three-turn turf route fits her perfectly. #5 Olympic Games has faced slightly lesser competition as of late, but who wants to be on the wrong end of doubting Christophe Clement? #7 Fools Gold has done well going this distance and has enjoyed the Saratoga turf in her career. Look out for the Chad Brown trainee as she breaks from the far outside.

Race 10: Longines Test Stakes (G1) for 3-year-old fillies going 7 furlongs on the dirt

#5 Gamine has gotten better and better with each start in her 3-race career. She blew away a weak field in the Acorn (G1) by almost 19 lengths. She is clearly the filly to beat. #6 Venetian Harbor will need to be better this time out than how she ran in the Ashland (G1). She couldn’t hold off Speech in that race when she was a 3/5 favorite. She is clearly second best in this spot. 

Race 11: Travers Stakes (G1) for 3-year-olds going 1 1/4 miles (10 furlongs) on the dirt 

The weight of the sport is on #6 Tiz the Law’s shoulders. He’s been nothing short of spectacular this year and will be the favorite again as he looks for his second win at the SPA. #3 Uncle Chuck is the California-bred shipper for Bob Baffert. He is a 3-year-old by Uncle Mo and has been quite impressive himself. He will need his top performance to beat Tiz the Law.

Race 12: Maiden Special Weight for New York-bred fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt

#2 Monificent improved drastically in her second start and her first on the dirt. Jose Ortiz picks up the mount this time around which is a positive sign for a relatively small barn. #9 Bankers Beast didn’t too much wrong in her debut last month. This isn’t the strongest field, and sometimes the runners who do the least wrong make the most sense.

THE TICKET

$0.50 Pick 4 (Races 9-12) 1,4,5,7 / 5,6 / 3,6 / 2,9 – $16

Saratoga August 8, 2020

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Ricky’s Rockets: Saratoga

Ricky’s Rockets: Gulfstream

Ricky’s Rockets: Del Mar