Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Del Mar, Monmouth Park and Saratoga Picks for July 17, 2021

#RickysRockets🚀 enjoyed getting out to the west coast to enjoy opening day at Del Mar. The big cash was at Saratoga where we hit another Pick 4 and Pick 5 ($140, $615) for the second straight day at Saratoga! We only go to Monmouth once a year, and it’s for this very day. We are treated with the 10 stakes races on the afternoon headlined by the Haskell Stakes (G1) from Oceanport, New Jersey. It’s one of many important races that will help decide who the best three year olds in the country are. Saturday’s like these, are the reason we love the sport as much as we do!

Also included below: my 11-race preview of Del Mar, 14-race preview of Monmouth Park, 11-race preview of Saratoga!

Saratoga July 17, 2021

Race 8: Allowance for 3-year-olds and upward going 7 furlongs on the dirt

#1 Beau Liam was truly dominant at Churchill Downs to kick off his career for Steve Asmussen. This is the next logical step for a horse that could be on his way to a big career. #5 Ten for Ten is coming out of two solid races at Aqueduct last year. This race comes up much easier on paper than the Nashua Stakes (G3) and the Remsen Stakes (G2).

Race 9: Sanford Stakes (G3) for 2-year-olds going 6 furlongs on the dirt

Had #1 Wit broken sharply out of the gate, he would’ve won by more than 10 lengths. It was one of the more dominant races I’ve seen from a Maiden Special Weight race on Belmont Stakes day. #2 Candy Landing also was pretty dominant on debut, winning by more than 4 1/2 lengths. He was too high of a price for me to be “All In” on him right now.

Race 10: Diana Stakes (G1) for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward going 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the inner turf

#5 Harvey’s Lil Goil had been on a long in the money streak prior to his race in the New York Stakes (G2) last time out. If she gets back to some of his better efforts, she’s going to win this race. #6 Summer Romance almost held off his stablemate #8 Althiqa. Charlie Appleby has two quality fillies, but I will always prefer the one on the lead.

Race 11: Maiden Special Weight for 3-year-olds and upward going 7 furlongs on the dirt

#4 Southern Flag has made two starts in his career, but he’s going to slightly cut back in distance here. Junior Alvarado picks up the mount for the second straight race. #8 Asking for a Baskin took a big step forward when he got on the dirt for the first time. He lost to a horse in Mahaamel, who is competing in a tough Allowance race earlier in the day.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 8-11) 1,5 / 1,2 / 5,6 / 4,8 – $48

50¢ Pick 4 (Races 8-11) 1,5,11 / 1,2 / 2,5,6,8 / 4,7,8  – $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: Monmouth Park

Ricky’s Rockets: Saratoga