Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Del Mar, Gulfstream Park and Saratoga Picks for July 31, 2021

Ricky’s Rockets 🚀 are back at it on an action-packed Saturday afternoon at Saratoga! There are three graded-stakes races, and we are here to cover all of them! On tap is the Vanderbilt Stakes (G1), the Bowling Green Stakes (G2) and the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2). The action never stops at Saratoga, and this Saturday is the perfect example of that!

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

Saratoga July 31, 2021

Race 8: Vanderbilt Handicap for 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#2 Mischevious Alex comes out of a tough Met Mile (G1) where Silver State ran away with it. This is a much better distance for him now where he won the Gulfstream Park Sprint (G3) in February. #3 Firenze Fire has also been dominant at this distance, winning 7/13 starts. Jose Ortiz was aboard when he won the True North (G2) in June.

Race 9: Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the dirt

#2 Masqueparade looked good in the Ohio Derby (G3), winning by a 1/2 length. He will look to make it three in a row, but will have to beat the horse of the year, #5 Essential Quality. This colt has been fantastic this year, only losing in the Kentucky Derby (G1). He’s going to be a single on many tickets in most sequences.

Race 10: Bowling Green Stakes (G2) for 4-year-olds going 1 3/8 miles (11 furlongs) on the inner turf

#2 Cross Border comes into this race undefeated at this distance, but hasn’t won this year. With a win here, he will get closer to the million dollar career earnings mark. #5 Channel Maker makes his first start of the year in the United States, after two races overseas. Manny Franco wa aboard in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) last November.

Race 11: $25,000 Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the Melon turf

#3 Morocco makes his second start for Saffie Joseph Jr. after a tough Allowance Optional Claiming race. This is a much easier spot for a horse who’s not quite as good as he used to be. #7 Tizzarunner ran second in this class at Churchill Downs back in June. This is a lateral spot for him who makes his 36th career start, and second at Saratoga.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 8-11) 2,3 / 2,5 / 2,5 / 3,7 – $48

50¢ Pick 4 (Races 8-11) 2,3,4,9 / 5 / 1,2,4,5 / 3,5,7,10  – $32

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