Rick Francis – Handicapping

By Rick Francis —- Oaklawn Park Race 12) 1&1/8th Mile. Arkansas Derby Grade I. Purse $1,250,000 THREE YEAR OLDS Post Time: 7:24/( 6:24)/ 5:24/ 4:24 6) Angel of Empre (Cox/Prat); winner of the Grade 2 Risen Star, contested at today’s distance, placed here two back...

By Rick Francis —- Trainer Brad Cox sends out a strong pair with Verifying and Giant Mischief in the running of the $1 Million Grade 2 Rebel Stakes. Each of these strapping 3-year-old colts are seeking their first points to the “Run for the Roses” so expect a...

By Rick Francis —- The hunt for valuable Kentucky Derby and Oaks points returns to New Orleans and Fair Grounds Race Course with the runnings of the Grade 2 Risen Star and G2 Rachel Alexandra. A full starting gate of fourteen sophomore colts will battle in the Star and five...

By Rick Francis —- The winding road to the 149th Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks takes us to Oldsmar, Florida and Tampa Bay Downs for the runnings of the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis for the boys and the Suncoast Stakes for the girls with each offering valuable points for a shot to...

By Rick Francis —- Valuble Kentucky Derby/Oaks points are on the line for aspiring three-year-olds with the running of the G3 Holy Bull for the boys and the Grade 3 Forward Gal for the fillies. It’s a stakes filled afternoon from beautiful Gulfstream Park, let’s...

By Rick Francis —- The seventh installment of the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup will once again feature some of thoroughbred racing’s best. A field of twelve will go to post, each looking for the coveted Grade 1 ring and their share of the $3 million purse; let’s...

By Rick Francis —- The “Road to the Derby” kicks off in earnest at Fair Grounds with the running of the 79th Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes. A field of eight 3-year-olds will head to post in search of Graded Stakes win and valuble Kentucky Derby points; the day’s...

By Rick Francis —- Though talk of the “Greatest” of all-time racehorses always comes back to Secretariat and the Triple Crown champions through history, one can never and should never overlook the great, “Incomprable Cigar”. A winner of 19 from 33...