Former jockey Kali Francois is among the fresh talent ushering in a new era in Maryland racing as the broadcast host for the Maryland Jockey Club.

Francois, 34, offers an extensive knowledge of the game. She rode primarily on the Mid-Atlantic circuit from 2015-2021. She also gained invaluable experience by riding in Australia, a time that was so enjoyable she seriously considered staying there long-term.

Francois ultimately turned to broadcasting and will be working her fourth Preakness Stakes in that capacity. With the demolition of Pimlico Race Course following the 150th Preakness and a new track to be built at that site to ensure that the middle jewel of the Triple Crown will always remain in Maryland, she looks forward to being part of an exciting transition in that state.

Francois looked to the future, weighed in on the Triple Crown format, and assessed many of this year’s top contenders in a wide-ranging question-and-answer session conducted on behalf of America’s Best Racing. 

PEDULLA: Are you surprised Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty will not attempt the Triple Crown?

FRANCOIS: I’m not at all surprised. I have mad respect for Bill Mott. He is not going to sit there and push his horses by any stretch of the imagination whatsoever. This is Bill’s show. This is not our show. Bill is doing what he thinks is right and I support that wholeheartedly.

PEDULLA: If the two-week gap between the Derby and Preakness remains, will we see this more and more?

Kali Francois, broadcast host for the Maryland Jockey Club (Courtesy of Kali Francois)

FRANCOIS: It depends on the connections, really, of who wins the Derby. This is very much a case-by-case scenario.

PEDULLA: At some point, do you think we will see a change to the Triple Crown format?

FRANCOIS: I respect traditionalists and the format that has been for the last 90-plus years. Being at the Preakness for the last four years, it completely changes the energy when the Derby winner comes and tries it. It’s pivotal. The game is different now in so many ways. Would I be upset if they stretch it out? No, not at all. Would I be understanding if they keep the two weeks? Yes. Would I love three weeks? Very much yes. It’s that much more incentive for the connections to make that jump. The more the general public is able to follow that story, the better it is for racing. On top of that, it showcases that our industry is doing the best it can for the horse.

PEDULLA: How do you view the future of racing in Maryland?

FRANCOIS: I am truly excited for the future. The feeling is that Maryland is about to come out of the shadows with some new team members making efficient decisions. Maryland’s future prosperity is a goal for the industry on a national scale. I’m very excited for the future to see how Maryland is going to be creating opportunities.

PEDULLA: Four jockeys are making their Preakness debut. Does that lack of experience put them at a disadvantage?

FRANCOIS: Because they are all doing it at the same time, probably not. When you have [nearly] half the field riding the Preakness for the first time, it worries me less. Let’s just put it that way.

Kentucky Derby runner-up Journalism (Eclipse Sportswire)

PEDULLA: Are you confident heavily favored Journalism is going to handle the two-week turnaround?

FRANCOIS: Yes, I’m very confident. [Trainer] Michael McCarthy has proven time and time again that not only is he a great conditioner, but he has a great ability to understand the timing of things with horses, not just with Journalism but with other horses as well. In Michael we trust here. I don’t see an issue with this at all.

PEDULLA: What would be the ideal trip for Journalism?

FRANCOIS: I won’t be surprised if we see him a touch closer than we saw him in the Derby. It’s the number of horses. We have fewer horses to deal with.

PEDULLA: Is Sandman better than his seventh-place finish in the Derby would suggest?

FRANCOIS: Ultimately the answer is ‘yes.’ But the timing for right now, ‘no.’ I thought he would move forward in the Derby. I don’t think he got a conducive trip to get too much out of it. I still think he has plenty of ability. But, for this weekend, I have plenty of question marks about him. 

Blue Grass Stakes third-place finisher River Thames (Coglianese photos/Ryan Thompson)

PEDULLA: Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher typically skips the Preakness. What does it say that he has targeted this race for River Thames?

FRANCOIS: I think River Thames would have bounced terribly in the Derby. I think Todd felt he needed the time. Todd made the right move as a horseman by targeting a race he can have success in. I don’t think the mile and three-sixteenths will be an issue for him.

PEDULLA: What kind of pace do you anticipate?

FRANCOIS: Plenty of it. If it’s an “off” track, I like Goal Oriented a lot more. If it’s a fast track, I think he might bounce.

PEDULLA: What is your assessment of Stonestreet Lexington Stakes winner Gosger?

FRANCOIS: The Lexington was a really good set-up for Gosger. Truly, I think he will finish mid-pack. This is a horse that could come in third at best.

PEDULLA: With only two career starts, is that enough seasoning for Goal Oriented?

FRANCOIS: He gets all the advantage of being at that inside post [rail]. I think that’s going to do him wonders. I think he loves having horses come at him. I think he loves that dynamic and he’s going to be getting that in Preakness 150. I loved the energy and the finish last time out. I worry that this one might need a race. He was a touch tired in the gallop out in the mud for the first time.

PEDULLA: Saffie Osborne is trying to become the first female jockey to win the Preakness. Can she do it with Heart of Honor?

FRANCOIS: I love this horse. I love the performance we saw at Meydan last time out [second by a nose in the United Arab Emirates Derby Sponsored by Jumeirah]. I always worry about the first North American run. They usually need a race. I also worry about him in this Pimlico environment. The layout is very different from Meydan. Sure, you have the same amount of crowd. But it’s a different type of crowd. It’s really all about him adjusting to things. I really want to like this horse and put him in my top four. But we don’t know how this horse is going to react.

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas Tuesday at Pimlico. (Eclipse Sportswire)

PEDULLA: Can 89-year-old D. Wayne Lukas win his eighth Preakness with American Promise?

FRANCOIS: I mean, who are we to ever doubt Wayne Lukas? This horse needs his personal space bubble. He is going to possibly get that opportunity in the Preakness. Ultimately, I think it will not come [for Lukas] with this horse. Would I like to see it? Absolutely.

PEDULLA: May I ask you for a live longshot?

FRANCOIS: Pay Billy. I’m going for the Maryland local here and it’s not just because he’s a Maryland local. He’s run the performance numbers I look for. He’s in good form. I think this horse will be very surprising at 20-1.

PEDULLA: May I ask for your top four?

FRANCOIS: Journalism, River Thames, Goal Oriented, and Pay Billy. If it’s a fast track, I would put Pay Billy over Goal Oriented.