Rosecoloredglasses wins John Franks

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Rosecoloredglasses outfinished a game Rail Rose to win the $50,000 John Franks Memorial Stakes by three-quarters of a length Friday at Louisiana Downs. The one-mile turf race for statebreds was the opening day feature at the track.

Rosecoloredglasses ($24.20) raced about 10 lengths off the pace early, while Rail Rose jumped out to the lead and set fractions of 22.73 seconds for the opening quarter and 47.04 for the half-mile mark. Rosecoloredglasses advanced down the backstretch, drew within a half-length of leader Rail Rose near the quarter pole while racing three wide, and went on to cover the distance over firm turf in 1:36.38.

Witt Ante finished third, one and a half lengths behind Rail Rose. White Star, the favorite, finished fifth after pushing the early pace.

Shane Romero rode Rosecoloredglasses for trainer Michael Caraman. The gelding earned $30,000 for the win, which was his third from 12 career starts. He has earned $83,505 for his owner, James Green.

Green also bred Rosecoloredglass, who is a 5-year-old son of Pistols and Roses.

The Franks Memorial was created this meet to pay tribute to Eclipse Award winning John Franks, who died Dec. 31. Franks is the all-time winningest owner at Louisiana Downs, and has won a record 144 stakes at the track. He was an oilman who lived in nearby in Shreveport.

Handle on the 12-race card Friday was $2,625,618, with $378,749 of that amount bet ontrack. Admission to Louisiana Downs has been free since the track opened a slots casino last year, and as a result, attendance figures are not released.