Richter Scale Seeks First Grade I Win

Richard and Nancy Kaster and Nathan Fox's Richter Scale will attempt to win his first Grade I race in his sixth attempt when he takes on six rivals in the $300,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Saturday at Laurel Park. The 6-year-old son of Habitony is unbeaten in sprints since switching back to the main track after a five-race turf campaign last year. He won four consecutive starts at six and seven furlongs before finishing sixth in the one-mile Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) in his most recent start. Richard Migliore will guide the Mary Jo Lohmeier trainee from post position three.

Intidab looks to be Richter Scale's main threat Saturday. The 7-year-old son of Phone Trick won the True North Handicap (gr. II) in his most recent start after finishing second to Bevo in a Belmont allowance race while making his first start of the year.

The field field for the six-furlong Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash, with jockeys, weights, and morning-line odds, consists of:

1--Just Call Me Carl, Travis Dunkelberger, 119, 7-2
2--Changing Otheguard, Oscar Mancilla, 114, 20-1
3--Richter Scale, Richard Migliore, 123, 2/1
4--Intidab, Robbie Davis, 119, 9/2
5--Falkenburg, Rick Wilson, 114, 6/1
6--Clever Gem, Mario Pino, 114, 3/1
7--Holiday Music, no rider named, 114, 12/1