Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Gulfstream Park and Oaklawn Park Picks for April 1, 2021

2021 has been a great year for Ricky’s Rockets🚀, and that was in full effect on Sunday afternoon cashing in with a Pick 4 and Pick 5 from Oaklawn Park, and two Pick 4’s and two Pick 5’s from Santa Anita to wrap up the month. It’s time to get April rolling as Keeneland opens up this weekend. While the championship meet at Gulfstream ended, the excitement never stops as we are just one month away from Derby Day!

Also included below: my 8-race preview of Gulfstream Park and 9-race preview of Oaklawn Park.

Best of luck!

Gulfstream Park April 1, 2021

Race 5: $16,000 Maiden Claiming for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 5 furlongs on the turf

#5 Buxom Beast has only run one race on the turf, and that was last summer going 8 furlongs. She was a highly touted runner when purchased in 2019, but she hasn’t found the winning formula. She showed a lot of speed last time out sprinting in her first start of the year. #6 Winnipeg Wonder has also showed some speed in the past, but will have to improve to beat Buxom Beast here.

Race 6: $16,000 Claiming for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the turf

#2 Sand Drift has been established as a Claiming runner for quite some time, but she’s disappointed too many times to completely rely upon. She’s been a favorite in 5/6 races, and has only won two of them, none since last September. #5 Bean Counter is the most talented runner in this field, and if she runs her best race, she’s going to win by a couple of lengths.

Race 7: $12,500 Allowance Optional Claiming for Florida-bred 4-year-olds and upward going 5 1/2 furlongs on the dirt

#1 Gangly threw in an absolute clunker last time out with Tyler Gaffalione aboard. He had been in good form prior to that start, so I’m willing to draw a line through that last race. #4 Northern has run a few races against Allowance/Allowance Optional Claiming runners in the past. He’s never won at this level before, but does have enough speed to go gate-to-wire. 

Race 8: $16,000 Maiden Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going about 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf

#7 Mayor Remo is 12/1 in this spot but I’m not entirely sure why. He’s established he can be just as quick as some of the other runners out of the gate, and this field stinks. I have no problem taking double-digit odds on him. #10 Charliecando has been the most consistent runner, but he’s 0/15 in his career. I’m not sure he can ever win a race, but some of his races in 2020 make him a top choice here. 

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 5-8) 5,6 / 2,5 / 1,4 / 7,10 – $48

50¢ Pick 4 (5-8) 3,4,5,6 / 2,4,5,8 / 1,4 / 7,9,10 – $48

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: Gulfstream Park

Ricky’s Rockets: Oaklawn Park