Ricky’s Rockets ?: Fair Grounds, Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park Picks for December 26, 2020

Ricky’s Rockets? looks to strike again after a fantastic day on Thursday afternoon at Gulfstream Park. We brought home the late Pick 4 ($232.75), late Pick 5 ($608.85) and Pick 6 (1,028.34). You don’t want to miss this as we are heating up quickly.

Also included below: my 12-race preview of Fair Grounds and 11-race preview of Santa Anita.

Best of luck!

Race 8: Tropical Park Derby for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the turf

This is one of the tougher races on the card to decipher based on the quality of the talent in this field. #6 Colonel Liam seems to run a good race followed up by a bad one. If he runs according to schedule, he’s in line for a victory here. #9 Fancy Liquor has never finished outside of the top three, including a win at the (G2) level and a third place finish at the (G3) level. He won his debut here at Gulfstream Park at the beginning of the year.

Race 9: $25,000 Allowance Optional Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt

#7 Doc Amster won his only race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt when he was still running for Wesley Ward. He was a 4/5 favorite on that day and was able to show his breathtaking speed out of the gate. #8 Life in Shambles finished second at this level last time out, so he clearly can compete in this spot. There’s a lot of speed in the field, so Paco Lopez will have him sit right behind the front runners.

Race 10: Tropical Park Oaks for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the turf

#4 Vigilantes Way has been all over the country including Gulfstream Park back on May 15. She has yet to run on the turf here, something she will look to do for the first time. I’m not a fan of Julian Leparoux, but I like this filly a lot. #10 Speaktomeofsummer is looking for her first win since the summer up at Saratoga, but the competition in her previous races were brutal. If we go back to last November at Aqueduct, that was the last time Junior Alvarado was aboard this filly. I don’t think him being aboard makes her a guaranteed winner, but it’s nice to have that experience when separating this field.

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

#1 Derby Champagne probably would’ve benefitted from going a little bit longer than his race on December 9. It’s only an extra 1/2 furlong, but he was storming home late and would’ve made a difference down the stretch. #11 The Mighty Judge hasn’t finished outside the money since March for Jame Cibelli. Cibelli is only winning at 5% as a trainer, but Paco Lopez picks up the mount ago who was aboard last time out when he won at the $10,000 level on November 18.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 8-11) 6,9 / 7,8 / 4,10 / 1,11 – $48

Gulfstream Park December 26, 2020

For my full card plays, featuring race-by-race analysis, my top four picks for each race, and full-card multi-race wagers, check out my product below:

Ricky’s Rockets: Fair Grounds

Ricky’s Rockets: Gulfstream Park

Ricky’s Rockets: Santa Anita