Ricky’s Rockets 🚀: Keeneland, Oaklawn Park and Santa Anita Park Picks for April 11, 2021

We officially closed the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail with the results from the Arkansas Derby (G1) and the Lexington Stakes (G3) on Saturday afternoon from Oaklawn and Keeneland respectively. We are less than three weeks ago from one of the biggest races in the world at Churchill Downs. Sunday afternoon may not have the big stakes races, but the excitement is sure to be in full effect from Keeneland, Oaklawn Park and Santa Anita!

Also included below: my 9-race preview of Keeneland, 10-race preview of Oaklawn Park and 9-race preview of Santa Anita Park!

Best of luck!

Keeneland April 11, 2021

Race 6: $30,000 Maiden Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#3 Bourre’ Trick has only run on the main track in his career one, and that came over a synthetic track at Turfway Park in his 2021 debut. I expect him to be much better in his second race off of the layoff for Wesley Ward. Joel Rosario picks up the mount. #6 Speight and Malice wasn’t very good on the turf in either of his starts, albeit facing some quality runners. This surface switch could only help him given how poor he was over the grass.

Race 7: Allowance for 4-year-olds and upward going 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the turf

#2 Juulstone didn’t fare great in his first race against winners in his first attempt, but there wasn’t a ton of pace to close into. Joel Rosario is a specialist off of the pace, and this colt doesn’t have any early speed. #8 Starting Over is clearly the horse to beat given the runners he’s faced in the past. He’s coming out of the San Marcos Stakes (G2) to Masteroffoxhounds and Acclimate. He should be the overwhelming favorite at post time.

Race 8: $80,000 Allowance Optional Claiming for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

#1 Call On Mischief will look to find success over this track for the first time in his career. She does have one start over this track, but she finished sixth against $100,000 Allowance Optional Claiming runners. #2 Palace Avenger makes her debut in 2021, but has been to this track before. In the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) last year, she finished third.

Race 9: Maiden Special Weight for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the turf

#3 Bitten by Kitten has the pedigree to go two turns on the turf, but this is an extremely arduous task for a first time starter. 5/1 is too high for me to pass on a Wesley Ward runner with John Velazquez. #7 Black Sand is the filly to beat, but not without caution. She was 4/5 in her debut at Saratoga last year, hit the gate, and never made an impact. Hopefully she got better in the months to follow.

THE TICKET

$3 Pick 4 (Races 6-9) 3,6 / 2,8 / 1,2 / 3,7 – $48

50¢ Pick 4 (6-9) 3,6,8 / 2,6,8 / 1,2,4,5 / 3,4,7 – $54

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: Keeneland

Ricky’s Rockets: Oaklawn Park

Ricky’s Rockets: Santa Anita Park