Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Del Mar, Mountaineer and Saratoga Picks for August 7, 2021

Ricky’s Rockets 🚀 is ready for the biggest weekend of the summer to date. Not only are we introducing Mountaineer for the first time, but we are talking about 14 stakes races, 8 of which are graded-stakes races. Saturday afternoon is the definition of coast-to-coast action and we are here to cover it all. Breeders’ Cup births are on the line, millions of dollars are on the line, and a life-changing cash, is hanging in the balance as well.

Also included below: my 11-race preview of Del Mar, 9-race preview of Mountaineer, and 12-race preview of Saratoga!

Saratoga August 7, 2021

Race 9: Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (G1) for 3-year-olds going 1 3/16 miles (9 1/2 furlongs) on the Melon turf

#6 Bolshoi Ballet made his United States debut a winning one, in the Belmont Derby (G1). It’s fair to assume he’s going to take a step forward, as Aidan O’Brien keeps him stateside. #7 Secret Protector is just Charlie Appleby’s third runner of the meet. His first two runners of the meet ran one-two in the Diana Stakes (G1) a few weeks ago.

Race 10: Whitney Stakes (G1) for 4-year-olds and upward going 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the dirt

#2 Silver State has been a completely different horse this year, winning all of his races. This was shown to its fullest, when he won the Met Mile (G1) at Belmont beating #4 Knicks Go. Knicks Go bounced back in a big way in the Cornhusker Handicap (G3) in July. Obviously that field wasn’t very good, but it was nice to see a good race out of him before this test.

Race 11: $80,000 Allowance Optional Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the dirt

Michael Dubb has two runners in here that make sense on paper. I prefer #1A Musical Heart due to his record at Saratoga, and his propensity to finish in the money in all of his races at this distance. #5 Empty Tomb will be tested going 9 furlongs, but he ran well enough in his loss to Maxfield to garner attention.

Race 12: Allowance for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 5 1/2 furlongs on the Melon turf

#7 Time Limit has looked good on the turf as of late, and dominated over the Melon turf last time out. Luis Saez was aboard when she finished third two starts back going 6 furlongs. #11 Miner’s Queen gets a big advantage drawing to the outside in this one. Ricardo Santana Jr. was aboard in her last three efforts breaking toward the rail.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 9-12) 6,7 / 2,4 / 1,5 / 7,11 – $48

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

Ricky’s Rockets: Saratoga