Irish Spot Plays for the Curragh Sept. 14
The second day of the Irish Champions Festival, at the Curragh on Sunday, arguably features a far more competitive collection of Group stakes.
International
Vance Hanson
Vance Hanson has been a contributing writer and editor for BRISnet.com, TwinSpires.com and KentuckyDerby.com since 2008. Prior to joining the Churchill Downs Inc. family, he served as a publicity assistant at Canterbury Park and as a handicapper/writer for Daily Racing Form.
British Spot Plays: Doncaster for Sept. 11
It's a big week of racing in Europe. The highlight will be the Irish Champions Festival weekend at Leopardstown and the Curragh, while in England it's the week of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster.
International
Spot Plays for Deauville Aug. 24
This Sunday's program at Deauville is the last of the summer to feature Group 1 competition
International
British Spot Plays: York for Aug. 22
The Group offerings on Day 3 of the Ebor Festival at York range from stayers in the Lonsdale Cup (G2) to the swiftest five-furlong specialists in the featured Nunthorpe (G1).
International
British Spot Plays: York for Aug. 20
The four-day Ebor Festival at York, one of England's classiest multi-day fixtures outside Royal Ascot, kicks off Wednesday and runs through Saturday.
International
How to play the King's and Queen's Pick 3 at Woodbine
TwinSpires players can opt in to vie for a 25% profit boost (up to $50) on their winning wagers in the King's and Queen's Pick 3.
Wagering
Deauville: Spot Plays for Aug. 17
One of the most important mile races in all of Europe highlights the Sunday program at Deauville.
International
Spot Plays for 2025 Arlington Million Day at Colonial Downs
A stakes-laden, 12-race program at Colonial Downs on Saturday is highlighted by the Arlington Million (G1).
Wagering
Deauville: Spot Plays for Aug. 3
With French racing added to the TwinSpires.com menu last year, now is as good a time as any to dive into one of the most prestigious race meetings in the world.
International
British Spot Plays: Goodwood for July 31
Given the success of Zavateri in the July (G2) and Vintage (G2), it would be foolish to underestimate trainer Eve Johnson Houghton's two-year-olds.
International
Daryl's Joy: Antipodean warrior once honored at Saratoga
Although not the best nor most accomplished horse from Australia and New Zealand to ever grace the American turf, Daryl's Joy held his form in the U.S. far better than most Antipodean invaders.
History
British Spot Plays: Goodwood July 29
The "Glorious" Goodwood Festival begins its five-day run on Tuesday with a trio of Group stakes.
International
British Spot Plays: Newmarket July 12
The more important races of the third and final day of Newmarket's July Festival on Saturday are, unusually for a British card, nearer the tail end of the program.
International
British Spot Plays: Newmarket Selections July 10
The three-day July Festival at Newmarket begins Thursday with potentially vulnerable favorites in a couple of the Group races.
Racing
D. Wayne Lukas: One horse that could have been his best
D. Wayne Lukas consistently reached new levels, sometimes many times over, but a few of us will always remember Grand Canyon as the player who might have defined the coach's entire career.
Oaklawn Park
Royal Ascot 2025: Selections for Friday
Day 4 at Royal Ascot is highlighted by the Coronation (G1) and Commonwealth Cup (G1), both of which appear top-heavy in terms of depth.
Royal Ascot
Royal Ascot 2025: Selections for Thursday
Day 3 of Royal Ascot has as its traditional centerpiece the Gold Cup (G1) over 2 1/2 miles, and it's also the card where I'll resume my bankroll plays for the 2025 British flat season.
Royal Ascot
2025 Epsom Derby: Looking past Coolmore and Godolphin
The Derby (G1) on Saturday is the sole British race I'll be focused on this weekend, and the last before my annual attack on Royal Ascot later this month.
International
Saratoga: Spot Plays for June 6, 2025
Weather and track conditions for Friday's blockbuster card at Saratoga remain uncertain at this writing, but the hope is that the following horses of interest will be suited by a dry or wet main track.
Wagering
Saratoga: Spot Plays for June 5, 2025
After a Wednesday program devoted primarily to New York-breds, Thursday's card at Saratoga is nearly free of restricted races save one maiden for fillies and mares on the turf.
Wagering
Saratoga: Spot Plays for 2025 Belmont Stakes Day
Saturday's Belmont Stakes Day program at Saratoga is tremendous in many respects, but I'll be taking a swing against some of the shorter-priced favorites.
Belmont Stakes
Epsom Derby, Belmont Stakes Double a bet worth having
The New York Racing Association announced this week that on June 7, it would offer a special transatlantic Double wager linking two of the world’s oldest and most prestigious classics: the Derby (G1) at Epsom and the Belmont (G1) at Saratoga.
Wagering
British Spot Plays: Sandown selections May 29
Thursday's twilight program at Sandown features a pair of Group 3s and two listed stakes.
International
Spot Plays for 2025 Preakness Day undercard
If the weather and field sizes hold, it would be no surprise to see around $100 million handled at Pimlico on Saturday. Here are a trio of runners on the undercard I'll be taking a look at.
Preakness Stakes
Spot Plays for Black-Eyed Susan Day May 16
From this view, Friday's Black-Eyed Susan Day undercard at Pimlico offers more intriguing options than Saturday's Preakness Day program.
Wagering
The best longshot to bet in the 2025 Preakness Stakes
Who among Saturday's group has a chance of being in the same position, hoping to topple heavy favorite Journalism?
Preakness Stakes
2025 Kentucky Derby reflection: What were the odds?
The widespread popularity of the Kentucky Derby, in conjunction with some offbeat results in recent years, has resulted in a highly inefficient betting market, at least in the win pool. This past Saturday was yet another example.
Kentucky Derby
Hanson: Betting the Kentucky Derby and 2000 Guineas
The horse that beat Baeza in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), morning line favorite #8 Journalism (3-1), remains our top selection.
Kentucky Derby
Hanson: The best longshot to bet in the 2025 Kentucky Derby
Determining the best longshot to play in the Kentucky Derby (G1) is very much like choosing your top selection.
Expert Picks
2025 Kentucky Derby Day spot plays
In addition to the Kentucky Derby (G1), the Saturday program at Churchill Downs offers a plethora of intriguing graded stakes, most of which have no short-priced stickouts.
Kentucky Derby