Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Del Mar, Gulfstream Park and Saratoga Picks for July 16, 2021

HAPPY OPENING DAY AGAIN!!! #RickysRockets🚀 enjoyed the opening day at Saratoga on Thursday afternoon, but there’s another new track opening up on Friday for the first time all year, and that’s Del Mar. This is a fantastic time in the sport, and it’s getting better and better with each day. We are covering the action coast-to-coast on Friday with stakes races from New York and California!

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

Saratoga July 16, 2021

Race 7: Allowance for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 5 1/2 furlongs on the Mellon turf

#2 Too Sexy has shown a lot of talent in her career, but she finishes second on too many occasions. At this level last time out, she finished second by less than a length. #11 American Goddess didn’t have a great time facing winners last time out, but I like her chances if Irad Ortiz Jr. gets her out of the gate quickly.

Race 8: $40,000 Claiming for 3-year-old fillies going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#6 Easy to Bless won against horses in a protected spot last time out, meaning she faced tougher competition. It’s going to be hard to beat her as she drops in class, and has won 4 races in a row for multiple trainers. #8 Patty H also drops in class for Brad Cox, in a spot that looks too easy for her on paper. This is a classic example of the connections wanting to win a race at Saratoga.

Race 9: Forbidden Apple Stakes (G3) for 4-year-olds and upward going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the inner turf

#3 Value Proposition comes out of a big time effort at Belmont Park last time out. He is getting better and better as the year has progressed, and looks ready for this graded-stakes event. #9 Sacred Life has looked great this year, even though he hasn’t won. His race in the Makers Mark Mile (G1) would be good enough to win this lower-level stakes race.

Race 10: Maiden Special Weight for New York-bred fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 5 1/2 furlongs on the Mellon turf

#1 Baudi Moovan makes her debut in a tough spot, but her pedigree stacks up nicely here. A lot of the other runners on paper look like career maidens potentially. #6 Uncle’s Gem wasn’t expected to do much on debut, since Linda Rice doesn’t target those spots. We usually see the best of her runners in their second and third starts.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 7-10) 2,11 / 6,8 / 3,9 / 1,6 – $48

50¢ Pick 4 (Races 7-10) 2,4,10,11 / 6,8 / 1,3,4,9 / 1,4,6  – $48

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