Ricky’s Rockets ?: Gulfstream Park and Saratoga Picks for August 27, 2020

It’s time for another Thursday afternoon at the SPA, which this week is highlighted by the Smart N Fancy Stakes for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward going 5 1/2 furlongs on the outer turf.

Also included below: my 9-race preview of Gulfstream Park!

Best of luck!

Race 6: $32,000 Claiming for 3-year-old fillies going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the inner turf

#1A Little Red Frog has been competitive at this level but will need to run better to beat this group. #4 Glass Ceiling faced the dominant Gamine 3 starts back in the Acorn Stakes (G1) on June 20. This is a perfect bounce-back spot for the filly in this claiming event.

Race 7: Smart N Fancy Stakes for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward going 5 1/2 furlongs on the outer turf

#4 A Great Time has been SCRATCHED and will be using #6 Introduced! #7 Peaceful has been in great form as of late. She ran in one stakes race last year, but that came on a very wet yielding course at Belmont Park. Look for her to be much better in her first stakes race in 2020.

Race 8: Allowance for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the dirt

#2 Texas Swing was thrown into the deep end of the pool when asked to face King Guillermo and Sole Volante in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) on March 7. The long layoff is a slight concern, but he proved he’s more talented than this field he will see on Thursday afternoon.

Race 9: Starter Allowance for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 5 1/2 furlongs on the outer turf

#3 Robin Sparkles first tried turf last time out and it was a great move. She went to the lead and left the rest of the field in the dust. She will be the heavy favorite as she looks to win two in a row. #4 Mo Me Mo My had a brutal trip last time out as she was forced four-wide into the stretch. She deserves an excuse off of that effort and I expect her to look much better this time around.

THE TICKET

$5 Pick 4 (Races 6-9) 1A,4 / 6,7 / 2 / 3,4 – $40

Saratoga August 27, 2020

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Ricky’s Rockets: Saratoga

Ricky’s Rockets: Gulfstream Park