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.

Spot Plays for Pacific Classic Day at Del Mar

Fri Sep 01 2023Vance Hanson

Saturday is the biggest card of the Del Mar summer meeting and is anchored by the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1), which will offer a serious clash of the generations over 1 1/4 miles.
Saratoga: Recent trends in Week 8 Saturday stakes

Mon Aug 28 2023Vance Hanson

The eighth and final Saturday of the 2023 Saratoga season features three graded stakes, two of which are relatively new additions to the Spa calendar.
York: Spot Plays for Day 1 of 2023 Ebor Festival

Tue Aug 22 2023Vance Hanson

Six two-year-olds were declared for the Acomb (G3), five three-year-olds for the Great Voltigeur (G2), and only three are set to take on Paddington in the Juddmonte International (G1).
Best trainers never to have won the Kentucky Derby

Mon Aug 21 2023Vance Hanson

The Kentucky Derby is America's signature race, but victory in it unfortunately eluded (or has) some of the finest and most accomplished horsemen in history.
Saratoga: Recent trends in Week 7 Saturday stakes

Mon Aug 21 2023Vance Hanson

The biggest Saturday of the Saratoga season this week features five Grade 1 stakes, led by the $1.25 million Travers (G1).
First-Crop Sires: Mitole striking early with fillies

Thu Aug 17 2023Vance Hanson

There was arguably no finer champion male sprinter in the 2010s than Mitole, who capped the decade with a tremendous campaign in 2019 that included four Grade 1 wins from six furlongs to one mile.
Saratoga: Recent trends in Week 6 Saturday stakes

Mon Aug 14 2023Vance Hanson

Three-year-old fillies will be in the spotlight for the sixth Saturday of the Saratoga meet on Aug. 19. The time-honored $600,000 Alabama (G1) over 1 1/4 miles on the main track is the feature.
Saratoga: Recent trends in Week 5 Saturday stakes

Tue Aug 08 2023Vance Hanson

The fifth Saturday of the 2023 Saratoga meet has as its features the Fourstardave H. (G1), a one-mile grass test for older horses, and the time-honored Saratoga Special (G2) for two-year-olds.
Saratoga: Recent trends in Week 4 Saturday stakes

Wed Aug 02 2023Vance Hanson

There are four graded stakes scheduled for the fourth Saturday of the Saratoga meet, but we'll focus this week's trends piece on just two: the $1 million Whitney (G1) and the $500,000 Test (G1).
Saratoga: Recent trends in Week 2 Saturday stakes

Mon Jul 17 2023Vance Hanson

The second Saturday of the Saratoga meet features two graded stakes: the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and the $200,000 Caress.
Newmarket: Spot plays for July Festival on Saturday

Fri Jul 14 2023Vance Hanson

It's been a good week to stand against heavy favorites at the Newmarket July Festival, and the hope is this anti-favorite trend continues into the third and final day of the fixture on Saturday.
Newmarket: Spot Plays for July Festival on Thursday

Wed Jul 12 2023Vance Hanson

It lacks the prestige of some of England's other major fixtures, but this week's three-day July Festival at Newmarket, which runs from Thursday through Saturday, will have plenty of interest.
Saratoga: Recent trends in Week 1 Saturday stakes

Mon Jul 10 2023Vance Hanson

There will be at least two graded stakes scheduled on each Saturday of the Saratoga meet, of which there will be eight beginning July 15.