Rick Francis – Handicapping

By Rick Francis —- As rain falls in Saratoga Springs there is a strong likely hood the running of the Caress Stakes for fillies and mares could move to the main track as it was a year ago; so with that possibility we’ll take a shot with “off-track” runners...

By Rick Francis —- Abel Tasman; Zoe Metz/Clockers Corner Photo A field of seven three-year-old fillies goes to post in the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks led by China Horse Club International’s Abel Tasman, winner of the Kentucky Oaks and Acorn Stakes; let’s take a...

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....