Rick Francis – Handicapping

By Rick Francis —- Clear skies and inviting temps are both in store as Fair Grounds Racecourse and Slots kicks off it’s 148th race meet; and with the anticipated large crowd comes the 95th edition of the Thanksgiving Classic Stakes. A small field of five will head to...

Our handicapping and race selection columns will return for the 2019 Breeders’ Cup races from Santa Anita Park Look for a list of the Breeders’Cup races under our “Upcoming Races” column

By Rick Francis —- Saratoga Race 11) 1&1/8th Mile. Woodward S. Presented by NYRA Bets PRESENTED BY NYRA BETS. Grade I. Purse $750,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. Post Time: ( 6:00)/ 5:00/ 4:00/ 3:00 ADVANCED FORECAST: Sunny, High 74, Low 53. 1) Mr. Buff...

By Rick Francis —- Saratoga Race 10) Lucky Coin Stakes 5&1/2 Furlongs TURF Post Time 5:50 EDT 1) Fig Jelly (Servis/Castellano); 4-year-old turned in his best effort in quite some time with a game second against Monmouth overnighters last out; third off the layoffs for...

By Rick Francis —- Saratoga Race 9) 1&1/16th Mile. (Turf) P. G. Johnson S. G. JOHNSON S.. Purse $100,000 FOR FILLIES TWO YEARS OLD Post Time: ( 5:18)/ 4:18/ 3:18/ 2:18 ADVANCED FORECAST: Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny, High 78, Low 56. 1) Lucky Jingle (Motion/Maragh);...

By Rick Francis —- Saratoga Race 9) Grade 3 With Anticipation Stakes INNER TURF 1&1/16th 2YO Post Time 5:06 EDT 1) Tuggle (Englehart/Ortiz, J.); has had success on the off go and may get just that; finished third last out in the G2 Saratoga Special but don’t feel...

By Rick Francis —- BROWN DUO FORMIDABLE IN 37TH RUNNING Race 11) Grade 1 Arlington Million 1&1/4 Miles Turf POST TIME 6:12 CDT Chilean-bred Robert Bruce (1) looks to become only the second 2-time winner of the Grade 1 Arlington Million when he squares off against nine...

By Rick Francis —- Sunny skies and a dry track await a field of seven accomplished sprinters in the running of the Grade 1 Vanderbilt Handicap; let’s take a look at the contenders. Saratoga Race 9) Grade 1 Vanderbilt Handicap 6 Furlongs Post Time 5:44 EDT 1) Mitole...