Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Del Mar, Gulfstream Park and Saratoga Picks for July 24, 2021

#RickysRockets🚀 has been right there all meet at Saratoga, and things don’t seem to be slowing down. There’s another big Saturday on tap, highlighted by the Coaching Club American Oaks Stakes (G1). Malathaat comes into this race at 2/5, and on paper there’s no one that can beat her. Will she live up to the hype, or will we see one of the biggest upsets of the meet?

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

Saratoga July 24, 2021

Race 8: Maiden Special Weight for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the inner turf

#1 Split Then Double has finished second twice in a row, one race this year and one race last October. I’m hoping she becomes a better horse as she makes her second start off of the layoff. #3 Rastafara has failed as a favorite twice under Chad Brown, but she’s shown she has enough talent to beat a tough Maiden Special Weight group.

Race 9: Allowance for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 7 furlongs on the dirt

#1 Glass Ceiling has never run a good race here at Saratoga, but she’s talented. She ran into Bella Sofia, who was a complete runaway when she last ran just a couple of weeks ago at Belmont Park. #2 Makingcents makes her first start since last October, but she was in her best form. If there’s nothing wrong with her, she’s going to be tough to beat.

Race 10: Caress Stakes (G3) for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward going 5 1/2 furlongs on the Melon turf

#1 Caravel comes into this one having won two in a row, but this will be the toughest group she will have faced. There is something to be said about winning no matter the spot, as she moves into graded-stakes competition. #2 Robin Sparkles has been amazing as of late. It’s incredible to think she was once up for a $40,000 tag at the Maiden Claiming level.

Race 11: Allowance for New York-bred fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the inner turf

#6 Just Ok Is Not Ok showed speed for the first time last time out, and it certainly worked to her advantage. It’s tough to know how that will play out, now that she takes a big jump in class. #7 My Lips Are Sealed is the filly to beat, based her form dating back to last November. She’s become a solid racehorse, in the matter of months for George Weaver.

THE TICKET

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

50¢ Pick 4 (Races 8-11) 1,2,3,8 / 1,2,9 / 1,2,5 / 6,7,12  – $54

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