Ricky’s Rockets ?: Gulfstream Park, Oaklawn Park and Santa Anita Picks for January 30, 2020

Ricky’s Rockets? only covered Gulfstream Park and Oaklawn Park yesterday, but it was a great day for us! On this day a week ago we cashed two Pick 4’s ($724.35, $613.20) a Pick 5 ($1,106.35) and the Rainbow 6 ($2,149.12). We will look to repeat that on Saturday afternoon and take down the stakes action across the country!

Also included below: my 12-race preview of Gulfstream Park and 9-race preview at Oaklawn Park.

Best of luck!

Santa Anita January 30, 2020

Race 5: San Pasqual Stakes (G2) for 4-year-olds and upward going 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the dirt

#2 Idol couldn’t cap off his 2020 the way he would’ve wanted to after failing to get the best of Kiss Today Goodbye in the San Antonio Stakes (G2). He looks tough to beat as Gabriel Saez sticks aboard here for Richard Baltas. #4 Express Train looked good in the Malibu Stakes (G1) against Charlatan. I tend to think Charlatan would beat this field, so by that logical, Express Train needs to be added. He is looking for his first win against stakes competition.

Race 6: $62,500 Allowance Optional Claiming for 4-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

In what feels like a stakes race, #2 Sparkyville seems a little bit out of place. He might be, but he has finished in the money in 7/11 dirt races, and gets Mike Smith back aboard. #3 Loud Mouth is probably better going longer distances, but he has been facing some tough runners in the build up to this race. He was single-digit odds last time out for the first time in months.

Race 7: Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the dirt

#1 Medina Spirit faced the toughest 3-year-olds on the west coast in the Sham Stakes (G3) last time out. He was only 3/4 lengths away from winning at 9/1, and won’t be anywhere close to that price here. #4 Hot Rod Charlie ran a heck of a race in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) last November. Coming off of that effort, he deserves to be the favorite here with Joel Rosario aboard. 

Race 8: $50,000-$40,000 Maiden Claiming for California-bred 3-year-olds going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#9 Sabuda made one start in for a tag, but that came at the $150,000 level in his debut last October. That race should be listed as a Maiden Special Weight considering the price tag needed to get one of those runners away from their previous connections. #10 J T’s Welch is 8/1 on the morning-line and doesn’t have a start under his belt. I’m not sure if he’s any good, but Peter Miller is too good of a trainer to leave off an unraced horse on his watch. This is a complete guess on my part.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 5-8) 2,4 / 2,3 / 1,4 / 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

Ricky’s Rockets: Santa Anita