Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Del Mar, Gulfstream Park and Saratoga Picks for July 30, 2021

Ricky’s Rockets 🚀 heads into Friday afternoon riding a wave of momentum! After a slow week last week, we have quickly turned things around with winning days on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday’s feature is the Curlin Stakes, for three year olds who have not won a Sweepstakes over a mile in 2021. Will First Captain remain undefeated and go 4-for-4, or will someone knock him off? Find out right here as we get the weekend started.

Also included below: my 8-race preview of Del Mar, 10-race preview of Gulfstream Park, 10-race preview of Saratoga!

Saratoga July 30, 2021

Race 7: Starter Allowance for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the dirt

#2 Hombrazo looked good in his debut for Joe Sharp, and immediately drops into a protected spot. This move suggests the connections have bigger plans for him the rest of the summer. #10 Southern Passage hasn’t been at his best this year, but there looks like there’s some pace on paper for him to close into down the stretch.

Race 8: Allowance for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/4 miles (10 furlongs) on the dirt OFF TURF

#1 Eyes On Target faces winners for the first time, after a dominant effort in his second career race. He showed a lot more speed in his most recent start compared to his debut. #11 Claytnthelionheart draws into this field, and immediately becomes a must use. He’s the perfect horse to use as an Also Eligible as well.

Race 9: Curlin Stakes for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the dirt

#4 First Captain will look to stay undefeated after winning the Dwyer Stakes (G3) at the beginning of the month. That was a graded-stakes win, so in theory, this is a slight drop in class. #7 Dynamic One was a participant in the Kentucky Derby (G1), but didn’t fare all that well. This is a good test for him to see where he stands after that race.

Race 10: $40,000 Maiden Claiming for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the dirt

#10 Highway Queen should get a bump in performance, as she switches to Mike Maker’s barn. Let’s see how she looks under Maker’s tutelage, for the first time. #16 Constitutionalrage is an Also Eligible and an MTO in this spot, but she’s looked the part on the dirt. Jose Lezcano was aboard last time out when she ran against Maiden Special Weight competition.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 7-10) 2,10 / 1,11 / 4,7 / 10,16 – $48

50¢ Pick 4 (Races 7-10) 2,6,9,10 / 1,11 / 3,4,7 / 10,12,16  – $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