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.

Churchill Downs Scenic

Churchill Downs (Photo courtesy of Churchill Downs)

2025 Kentucky Oaks Day spot plays

Tue Apr 29 2025Vance Hanson

With 27 races carded for Friday and Saturday at Churchill Downs, including, of course, the Kentucky Derby (G1), there is no shortage of options for bettors to sink their teeth into on the most popular weekend in American racing.

Wagering

Grande trains for the Kentucky Derby (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Grande trains for the Kentucky Derby (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Hanson: The best longshot to bet in the 2025 Kentucky Derby

Tue Apr 29 2025Vance Hanson

Determining the best longshot to play in the Kentucky Derby (G1) is very much like choosing your top selection.

Expert Picks

Sandown Racecourse (Vance Hanson photo)

British Spot Plays: Sandown selections April 25

Thu Apr 24 2025Vance Hanson

The two fixtures for older horses at Sandown on Friday appear wide open.

International

Steve Asmussen (Coady Photography)

Best trainers never to have won the Kentucky Derby

Sun Apr 20 2025Vance 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.

Features

Donerail (Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Derby Museum/Churchill Downs)

Who was the biggest underdog ever to win the Kentucky Derby?

Sun Apr 20 2025Vance Hanson

Most recent underdogs weren’t facing an overwhelming favorite or toppling a budding superstar or two. In fact, many underdog winners can be judged less on how much they paid, but by who they beat.

Kentucky Derby

Rich Strike wins the 2022 Kentucky Derby

Rich Strike wins the 2022 Kentucky Derby (Photo by Coady Media/Churchill Downs)

Jockeys and weight in the Kentucky Derby

Fri Apr 18 2025Vance Hanson

Being the most identifiable human participants on average in Thoroughbred racing, jockeys will be a major focus in this week’s 150th edition of the Kentucky Derby.

Kentucky Derby

Newmarket (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

British Spot Plays: Craven meeting at Newmarket April 15

Mon Apr 14 2025Vance Hanson

Newmarket's three-day Craven meeting this week features more trials for the 2000 Guineas (G1) and 1000 Guineas (G1).

International

British Spot Plays: Guineas trials at Newbury April 12

Fri Apr 11 2025Vance Hanson

The 2025 British flat season shifts into a stronger gear beginning Saturday, when Newbury hosts the John Porter (G3) for older horses and a pair of trials for the upcoming 2000 Guineas (G1) and 1000 Guineas (G1).

International

Omaha Beach preps for the 2019 Kentucky Derby (Photo by Coady Photography/Churchill Downs)

Kentucky Derby scratches that changed history

Fri Apr 04 2025Vance Hanson

While a comprehensive list of Kentucky Derby scratches since 1875 is not possible, these four withdrawals perhaps were the most significant.

Triple Crown

Giacomo wins the 2005 Kentucky Derby

Giacomo wins the 2005 Kentucky Derby (Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Derby Museum/Churchill Downs)

Five of the biggest shocks in Kentucky Derby history

Fri Apr 04 2025Vance Hanson

Unlike games of chance that you might encounter in a casino, the result of a Thoroughbred horse race is far from a random outcome event. That’s not to say that there aren’t inexplicable surprises from time to time. In its century and a half of longevity, the Kentucky Derby has seen its share.

Kentucky Derby

Michael Iavarone (Coady Photo/Keeneland)

Michael Iavarone explains his winning Pick-5 ticket structure

Tue Apr 01 2025Vance Hanson

Michael Iavarone had the sole winning ticket of Tampa Bay Downs’ late Pick 5 worth $435,029.40 on Feb. 8, 2020 when placing his bet at TwinSpires.com.

Triple Crown

Sitka wins at Ellis Park.

Sitka wins at Ellis Park. (Photo by Coady Media)

Betting the Rebel Stakes Day early Pick 5 at Oaklawn Park

Sat Feb 22 2025Vance Hanson

The 24-hour delay to Oaklawn Park's Rebel Stakes Day program spices up the Sunday racing offerings considerably, and the 12-race program is a blockbuster of stakes, allowances, and maidens. I'll get my investment on the card started early with a Pick 5 play on the first five races.

Wagering

Raqiya wires the Goldikova in her U.S. debut

Raqiya wires the Goldikova at Del Mar in her U.S. debut (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Hanson: Betting the Pegasus World Cup Late Pick 5

Fri Jan 24 2025Vance Hanson

Outside of the Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup, the Pegasus World Cup Day program at Gulfstream Park is one of America's biggest betting race days. For example, all-sources handle on the 2024 program was more than $47 million.

Pegasus World Cup