Handicapping the $16 Million Pegasus World Cup Invitational

By Rick Francis —- The Grade 1 $16 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational features a full-starting gate of twelve entries and once again showcases a reigning Horse of the Year in Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimney’s Farms Gun Runner; let’s have a look at the starters....
Posted On 26 Jan 2018
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Fair Grounds: A field of 14 seeks valuable Derby points in Grade 3 LeComte

By Rick Francis —- Fourteen 3-year-olds begin the hunt for valuable Kentucky Derby points with the running of the Grade 3 LeComte Stakes from Fair Grounds Race Course. The 74th edition headlines a six stakes card that also features the Grade 3 Col. E.R. Bradley for older...
Posted On 12 Jan 2018
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Santa Anita Opening Day; Handicapping GII San Antonio, Mathis Bros. Mile

By Rick Francis —- Collected one to beat in Grade 2 San Antonio; Benoit Photo SANTA ANITA Race 3) G2 San Antonio Stakes 1&1/16th Mile Post Time 4:04 EST Hoppertunity (1), Baffert/Prat; won this to start 2017 when he rallied from last; champion always brings it; catch...
Posted On 26 Dec 2017
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SUNDAY: Handicapping the Springboard Mile

By Rick Francis —- The road to a starting berth in the 144th Kentucky Derby heads to Oklahoma City and Remington Park where a field of twelve 2-year-old colts and geldings get the call to post in the running of the Springboard Mile Stakes. A winner’s share of 400k and Derby...
Posted On 15 Dec 2017
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Aqueduct: Formidable field set for Grade 1 Cigar Mile

By Rick Francis —- A field of ten are set to roll when the starting gates open for the one-turn Cigar Mile Handicap; let’s take a look at the contenders and pretenders. AQUEDUCT Race 10), Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap 3yo & up Post Time 4:16 EST Sharp Azteca (1)...
Posted On 02 Dec 2017
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Fair Grounds: Fillies & Mares test the turf in Friday Feature

By Rick Francis —- FAIR GROUNDS Race 8) OC 12.5k n1x 1 Mile Turf F&M Post Time 4:35 CST Big Game Baby (1), Foster/Murrill; competitive at this and overnight stakes levels, however filly has failed to hit the board here in two tries and was pulled up in last....
Posted On 30 Nov 2017
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Fair Grounds: Allowance Sprint Tops Thursday Card

By Rick Francis —- FAIR GROUNDS Race 7), Allowance 43kn1x 6 Furlongs Post Time 4:05 CST Spring Value (1), Asmussen/Bridgmohan; La-bred returns to open company; has won 2-of-3 at the distance and was a winner here back in March. Floroplus (2), Calhoun/Geroux; makes first...
Posted On 29 Nov 2017
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HANDICAPPING: GRADE 1 CLARK HANDICAP

By Rick Francis —- Churchill Downs Race 11) Grade 1 Clark Handicap 3YO & UP 1&1/8th Miles Post Time 5:56 EST Hoppertunity (1), competitive Grade 1 winner disappointed last out finishing a distant second against Santa Anita overnighters; ran a dismal fourth in this...
Posted On 24 Nov 2017
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Thanksgiving ‘Cap Headlines Fair Grounds Traditional Opening Day Card

By Rick Francis —- The 93rd running of the Thanksgiving Handicap headlines the traditional opening of the 146th Fair Grounds meet; let’s take a look at the starting field. Race 9), Thanksgiving Handicap 3YO & UP 6 Furlongs Post Time 3:05 CST Charming Deputy (1),...
Posted On 22 Nov 2017
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A field of eight vie for “Classic” starting berth in Grade 1 Awesome Again; Zenyatta, Rodeo Drive Picks

By Rick Francis —- A field of eight head to the starting gate in the running of the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes, a “Win and You’re In” contest and a guaranteed berth in 2017’s Breeders’ Cup Classic run at Del Mar Turf Club on Saturday November...
Posted On 29 Sep 2017
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