The highly promising colt Here Comes Francis is poised to take center stage in Friday’s $75,000 Carry Back Stakes at Gulfstream Park, part of the track’s special Fourth of July program. Trained by Victor Barboza Jr., this exciting three-year-old has already turned heads with two dominant performances and looks ready to make another statement in the seven-furlong contest.
Barboza, whose stable has enjoyed plenty of success over the years, believes Here Comes Francis might be the most talented horse he has ever trained. After all, the colt’s debut at Gulfstream in March was nothing short of impressive. Despite early interference, he powered clear to score by 1½ lengths over Pursuitneversleeps, who returned to win next time out. That victory came with a strong 97 Beyer Speed Figure, highlighting the colt’s raw ability.
Building on that momentum, Here Comes Francis headed to Tampa Bay Downs in April and produced an even more commanding performance. He dominated a 6½-furlong optional claiming allowance by over five lengths, further solidifying his status as a rising star.
Barboza, who secured the colt for $250,000 at the 2024 OBS April Sale, views Friday’s Carry Back Stakes as a key steppingstone towards more significant targets. His ultimate ambition is to take Here Comes Francis to Saratoga later this summer for the prestigious Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial on August 23.
“He’s been maturing, especially at the gate,” Barboza shared. “We’ve been working on keeping him calm before the start, and he’s much more focused now. He’s a striking, high-class horse.”
Here Comes Francis won’t be Barboza’s only contender in the Carry Back. He also saddles Mati Gol, owned by The Tiny Equestrian Group, who recently placed third in the Roar Stakes on turf, and Grand Joker, a recent maiden winner for Granpollo Stable.
Rider Emisael Jaramillo will partner Here Comes Francis for the first time, while Jose Morelos takes the reins on Mati Gol, and Jonathan Ocasio gets the call aboard Grand Joker.
The field also includes some intriguing challengers, notably Forged Steel, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. and owned by C2 Racing Stable and Mathis Stable. This son of Vekoma brings stakes credentials from the turf but returns to dirt on Friday. He made his career debut on dirt, finishing behind Rated by Merit, the eventual Florida Sire Stakes series winner. Though Forged Steel has primarily raced on turf since then, he looks to prove his versatility back on the main track, with Edgard Zayas in the irons.
Another key contender is Big Paradise, making his seasonal bow for trainer David Fawkes. Owned by Alex and JoAnn Lieblong, the colt closed out his juvenile campaign with an impressive win in the Juvenile Sprint for Florida-breds and enters Friday’s race with a 3-1 morning line.
Completing the Carry Back lineup are Outta Money, representing Sport of Kings Racing Partners, and Insurmountable, owned by Tami Bobo.
With emerging stars and proven talent set to clash, the Carry Back promises thrilling action as these three-year-olds chase victory—and for Here Comes Francis, the start of what could be a very exciting journey to Grade 1 glory.
