Rick Francis – Handicapping

By Rick Francis —- The girls headline 154th Saratoga opening day with the running of the Grade 3 Schuylerville for juvenile fillies, followed next race with the G3 Lake George for the 3-year-old ladies. It’ll be forty days of top shelf racing to come; let’s take a look at...

By Rick Francis —- Farhaan looks to upset the Grade 1 Shoemaker; All photos by Benoit Race 7) 1 Mile. (Turf) Shoemaker Mile S. Grade I. Purse $400,000 FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD. Post Time: 7:00/ 6:00/ 5:00/( 4:00) Heart to Heart (1), Lynch/Leparoux; tough 5-year-old...

By Rick Francis —- CHARLES TOWN Race 11) 1&1/8th Mile. Charles Town Classic S. Grade II. Purse $1,250,000 FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD Post Time: ( 5:35)/ 4:35/ 3:35/ 2:35 Stanford 1), Pletcher/Velasquez, J; Malibu Moon 5-year-old was a driving winner of 2016’s...

By Rick Francis —- Malagacy the one to beat in G1 Arkansas Derby; Oaklawn/Coady Photography A field of twelve 3-year-old colts head to the starting gate in the running of the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, and for several a last chance at the “Run for the Roses”; let’s take a look...

By Rick Francis —- KEENELAND Race 8) 1 Mile. (Turf) Appalachian S. Presented by Japan Racing Association PRESENTED BY JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION. Grade III. Purse $125,000 FOR FILLIES, THREE YEARS OLD Post Time: ( 4:57)/ 3:57/ 2:57/ 1:57 Dream Dancing 1), winner of two...

By Rick Francis —- Keeneland Race Course kicks off its 2017 spring meet in Graded Stakes fashion as a field of nine 3-year-olds takes to the turf in the running of the Grade 3 Transylvania Stakes; let’s have a look at the starters. Race 9) 1ˆ Mile. (Turf) Transylvania S....

By Rick Francis —- Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert looks to add yet another Rebel Stakes to his trophy case when he sends to post American Anthem, the son of 2012 Arkansas Derby winner Bodemeister; let’s take a look at the field. RACE 10) 1ˆ Mile. Rebel S. Grade II. Purse...

By Rick Francis —- RACE 10), 1‚ Mile. Santa Anita H. Presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino PRESENTED BY SAN MANUEL INDIAN BINGO AND CASINO. Grade I. Purse $750,000 FOR FOUR-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD. Post Time: 7:44/ 6:44/ 5:44/( 4:44) Midnight Storm 1),...