Here Comes Francis Brings Potential into Friday’s Carry Back

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Arcadia Michigan Stable’s Here Comes Francis will enter the $75,000 Carry Back on Gulfstream Park’s Fourth of July program with the potential to leave his mark on trainer Victor Barboza Jr.’s stable.

“I think he could be the best horse in my life as a trainer,” Barboza said. “He’s an impressive horse.”

Here Comes Francis has been installed as the even-money morning-line favorite for the Carry Back, a seven-furlong stakes for 3-year-olds, on the strength of his two extremely impressive victories to launch his career. The son of Improbable quickly overcame early bumping to grab control of his March 15 debut and power to a front-running 1 ½-length victory over next-out winner Pursuitneversleeps, earning a 97 Beyer Speed Figure while running six furlongs in 1:09 2/5. He came right back to run away with a 6 ½-furlong optional claiming allowance April 26 at Tampa Bay Downs by a handy 5 ¼ lengths.

Barboza is looking at the Carry Back as a steppingstone to bigger and better things for the $250,000 2024 OBS April purchase.

“I think Friday will be good preparation for Saratoga and the Grade 1,” said Barboza, referring to the Aug. 23 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1). “That’s my dream – to get a Grade 1 for the horse by the end of the year.”

Barboza has been working with Here Comes Francis to become more comfortable around the starting gate.

“He gets a little nervous in the gate. The last two or three weeks, after schooling in the gate, the horse is now more focused,” he said. “He is a high-class horse. He’s a big, beautiful horse.”

Barboza is also represented in the Carry Back field by The Tiny Equestrian Group LLC’s Mati Gol, who finished third on turf in the Roar Stakes last time out; and Granpollo Stable’s Grand Joker, who broke his maiden for a $25,000 tag two starts back.

Emisael Jaramillo will ride Here Comes Francis for the first time in the Carry Back. Jose Morelos has the call on Mati Gol, while Jonathan Ocasio has the mount on Grand Joker.

C2 Racing Stable LLC and Mathis Stable LLC’s Forged Steel, who is multiple stakes-placed on turf, returns to dirt for the Carry Back. The son of Vekoma debuted on dirt in July 24, finishing a distant second to Rated by Merit, who went on to sweep the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series. The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained colt went on graduate on turf by 8 ½ lengths in his next start. He raced only once more on dirt from his next six starts, finishing off the board in the Street Sense (G3) last fall at Churchill Downs.

Edgard Zayas has the call on Forged Steel, who is rated second at 5-2 on the morning line.

Alex and JoAnn Lieblong’s Big Paradise is slated to make his 2025 debut in the Carry Back after concluding his 2-year-old campaign with a 2 ½-length victory in the Juvenile Sprint for Florida-breds last November.

Miguel Vasquez has the call on the David Fawkes-trained son of The Big Beast, who is rated third at 3-1 on the morning line.

Sport of Kings Racing Partners LLC’s Outta Money and Tami Bobo’s Insurmountable round out the field.