Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Gulfstream Park, Keeneland and Oaklawn Park Picks for April 17, 2021

We are just two weeks away from the Kentucky Derby! After the past few weeks, the graded stakes have slowed down for a little bit, but Ricky’s Rockets🚀 are continuing to cash tickets! We are staying right where we’ve been successful at Gulfstream Park, Keeneland and Oaklawn Park on Saturday afternoon.

Also included below: my 12-race preview of Gulfstream Park, 10-race preview of Keeneland, 12-race preview of Oaklawn Park!

Best of luck!

Keeneland April 17, 2021

Race 7: Allowance for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf

#4 Chili Petin hasn’t been on the track since she ran in the Lady Shipman Stakes last June at Belmont Park. She came into that race firing on all cylinders, but she wasn’t able to keep the lead down the stretch. She’s had a problem staying fit, but looks ready to go now for Wesley Ward. #6 Notorious R B G won her last race at Tampa Bay Downs, and is one of two horses to claim victory in their most recent start. Joel Rosario was aboard when she finished second at Saratoga last summer. 

Race 8: $80,000 Allowance Optional Claiming for 4-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs on the dirt

#2 Royal Mesa comes into this race having only raced once this year, which also happened to be on New Year’s Day at Turfway Park. He has a ton of talent, but can’t seem to put it all together. #3 South Bend never should’ve been on the turf last time out in the Belmont Derby. He belongs on the dirt, against horses of this quality. He hasn’t won a race since 2019.

Race 9: Elkhorn Stakes (G2) for 4-year-olds and upward going 1 1/2 miles (12 furlongs) on the turf

#7 North Dakota comes into this spot with a ton of value after finishing 10th by just a little over 4 lengths in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) at Gulfstream Park. He finished just behind Cross Border, who comes into this race at 4/1. #10 Red Knight makes his 2021 debut for Bill Mott, and he’s been spectacular as of late. He’s finished in the top two in 4/5 races going 12 furlongs.

Race 10: $10,000 Starter Optional Claiming for 4-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#3 Loopallu won his last race in a similar spot that was taken off of the turf. After winning that race with relative ease, Chris Hartman keeps him on the dirt now. He has plenty of speed and Mitch Murrill will look to deploy the same tactics. #6 Finnegan has a ton of turf pedigree, but he’s a dirt specialist. In 10 career dirt races, he’s finished in the top two in seven of them.

THE TICKET

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

50¢ Pick 4 (7-10)  4,5,6 / 2,3 / 2,6,7,10 / 3,6,8,11 – $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: Keeneland

Ricky’s Rockets: Oaklawn Park