Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Delaware Park, Del Mar and Saratoga Picks for August 26, 2021

Ricky’s Rockets 🚀 started off the week strong on Wednesday afternoon, but it’s time to turn it right around on Thursday! We get back to racing from Delaware Park and Del Mar as well, before we kick off the weekend!

Also included below: my 9-race preview of Delaware Park, 8-race preview of Del Mar, 10-race preview of Saratoga!

Saratoga August 26, 2021

Race 7: $35,000 Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the inner turf

#4 Life On Tap drops in for a tag, after failing to show much against Starter Allowance runners. This is the proper drop in class for him at this point in his career. #9 Montaulk Summer is clearly the horse in form, almost winning at a big price last time out. He should be on the lead as they break from the gate.

Race 8: $80,000 Allowance Optional Claiming for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 7 furlongs on the dirt

#2 Thoughtfully makes her long-awaited return to the track since the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) last year. This is the proper spot for her to make her 2021 debut. #4 Whispering Pines won at a similar level two starts back prior to her race in the Shine Again Stakes. Jose Ortiz picks up the mount for the third straight race.

Race 9: Riskaverse Stakes for 3-year-old fillies going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the inner turf

#7 Rastafara is stakes-bound after breaking her maiden in her third career start. We don’t really know how she’s going to run, but I have a feeling it’s going to be a pretty good effort. #10 Love and Money faced winners for the first time, finishing second at the $80,000 Allowance Optional Claiming level. This is a step up in class as she faces stakes runners.

Race 10: $32,000 Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 5 1/2 furlongs Melon turf

#3 Fast Getaway shifts his efforts from Linda Rice’s barn to Mike Maker’s barn for this race. Maker immediately drops him in for a tag, which isn’t the most encouraging sign. #8 Three Outlaws hasn’t had the most success here at Saratoga, but he does make sense. Let’s see how he runs getting a firm main turf course with John Velazquez aboard.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 7-10) 4,9 / 2,4 / 7,10 / 3,8 – $48

50¢ Pick 4 (Races 7-10) 4,9 / 2,4,6 / 7,9,10 / 1,3,8,12 – $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: Delaware Park

Ricky’s Rockets: Del Mar

Ricky’s Rockets: Saratoga