Rick Francis – Handicapping

By Rick Francis —- FAIR GROUNDS Race 13) Grade 2 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby Purse $1 Million 3yo 1&1/8th Miles Post Time 5:13 CDT 1) Roiland (Amoss/Graham) M/L 12-1; hard to tell if he improved in the Risen Star (which he did by finish), or just passed tiring foes;...

By Rick Francis —- Due to an overflow of entries, most notably from Santa Anita, the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes for 3-year-olds will split into two contests, now carded as the eighth and tenth races; let’s have a look at the fields. OAKLAWN PARK RACE 8) G2 Rebel Stakes 3yo...

By Rick Francis —- GULFSTREAM PARK Race 13) 1&1/16th Mile. Xpressbet Fountain of Youth S. Grade II. Purse $400,000 THREE YEAR OLDS. Post Time: ( 5:32)/ 4:32/ 3:32/ 2:32 1) Code of Honor – McGaughey/Velazquez (M/L 6-1); took a step back last out in the Mucho Macho...

By Rick Francis —- Serengeti Empress; Coady Photography FAIR GROUNDS Race 11) Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra 3YO Fillies 1&1/16th Miles Post Time 6:29/( 5:29)/ 4:29/ 3:29 Certain finishing positions in this race will earn points to qualify for the 2019 Kentucky Oaks,pursuant...

By Rick Francis —- Gulfstream Park Race 12) 1&1/8th Mile. Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. Grade I. Purse $9,000,000 THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD 1) Bravazo (Lukas/Saez) M/L 12-1; hasn’t visited the winner’s circle in close to a year, although he came close...

By Rick Francis —- A formidable trio from the Steve Asmussen barn look to continue their march to the First Saturday in May when they face-off against five fellow three-year-olds in the Smarty Jones Stakes from Oaklawn Park; carded as race eight, let’s have a look at...

By Rick Francis —- The 75th running of the Grade 3 LeComte Stakes highlights Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots “Road to the Derby” Kick-Off Day. A field of fourteen 3-year-olds will fill the starting gate for the one mile/seventy yard test and with Kentucky...

By Rick Francis —- WOODBINE Race 8) G1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile Stakes (TURF) Post Time 4:43 EDT 6) Lord Glitters (O’Meara/Spencer) – major player on the English circuit enters off a solid Group 3 score at York; 5-year-old just missed in the prestigious Queen Anne at...