Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Gulfstream Park, Oaklawn Park and Santa Anita Picks for February 28, 2020

Ricky’s Rockets🚀 made the most of a monster Saturday across the country. We had stakes action from Gulfstream, Oaklawn and Santa Anita one right after the other. We learned a lot about what runners will have an impact on the Triple Crown trail, and what runners may have to make alternate plans. With all that being said, we have one more day to end the week/month on the right note. If you didn’t make money on Saturday, Sunday is YOUR day!

Also included below: my 12-race preview of Gulfstream Park, 10-race preview of Oaklawn Park and 9-race preview of Santa Anita.

Best of luck!

Gulfstream Park February 28, 2020

Race 9: $62,500 Allowance Optional Claiming for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#3 Sound Machine hasn’t won a race since the Glitter Woman Stakes in 2020. She has been running against Frank’s Rockette, Pacific Gale and Wicked Whisper, so that should enable her to run one of her better races here. #6 Cory Gal won at this level last time out, but that was last October. Who knows if she’s going to be able to replicate that race or not? My guess is Peter Walder will have her ready to go.

Race 10: $20,000-$16,000 Claiming for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the turf

#2 Freddymo Factor is a part of the best theory at Gulfstream which is runners coming from New York to make their first start in Florida. She finished second at this level last time out and should be even better in her second start of 2021. #4 Hurricane Breeze makes the move to Carlos David’s barn after running a bunch of races for Mike Maker. This isn’t a positive or negative move based on how good both trainers are.

Race 11: Allowance for Florida-bred 3-year-old fillies going 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt

#5 Big Rings finished her 2020 campaign by finishing third in the Florida Sire My Dear Girl Stakes. She returned to the track in 2021 by running fourth in the Gasparilla Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. She’s not quite a stakes runner, but factors in well here in state-bred Allowance races. #7 Mon Petit Chou broke her maiden last summer here at Gulfstream, but we haven’t seen her since that point in time. This is a complete litmus test for her given the extensive layoff. Miguel Vasquez looks like he was forced to give up the mount as he hops aboard Starship Nanna.

Race 12: $50,000-$40,000 Maiden Claiming for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the turf

#3 Princess Empire is my top choice and she’s 10/1 on the morning-line. This filly by Empire Maker has a ton of turf pedigree and her works in the mornings indicate that as well. Irad Ortiz Jr. gets the mount and her trainer Jorge Abreu is winning at 28% with first time starters. #6 Zaffing was all over the place when she debuted going 5 furlongs on the turf. She was too far back to finish in the top three, but made up a lot of ground in the stretch.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 9-12) 3,6 / 2,4 / 5,7 / 3,6 – $48

50¢ Pick 4 (Races 9-12) 3,6 / 2,4,6,8 / 5,6,7 / 2,3,6,9 – $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