Rick Francis – Handicapping

By Rick Francis —- Title Ready; Coady Photography The road to the 144th Kentucky Derby heads to Hot Springs, Arkansas Saturday when a field of eleven three-year-old colts set down to do battle in the 58th running of the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes. Six-time winning trainer Bob...

By Rick Francis —- The first of the 85 point Kentucky Derby/Oaks contests kick-off Saturday from Fair Grounds with the runnings of the Grade 2 Risen Star and Rachel Alexandra Stakes; great weather is the forecast. Race 7) 1&1/16th Mile. Rachel Alexandra S. Grade II....

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....

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...

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...

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...

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)...

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....