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
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: 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
2025 Kentucky Oaks Day spot plays
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
Jockeys and weight in the Kentucky Derby
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
Five of the biggest shocks in Kentucky Derby history
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
Kentucky Derby scratches that changed history
While a comprehensive list of Kentucky Derby scratches since 1875 is not possible, these four withdrawals perhaps were the most significant.
Triple Crown
Who was the biggest underdog ever to win the Kentucky Derby?
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
Best trainers never to have won the Kentucky Derby
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
Growth in Kentucky Derby Day betting virtually unabated in its modern history
Growth in Kentucky Derby Day is not up for debate. Betting virtually is firmly a part of modern history.
Kentucky Derby
British Spot Plays: Sandown selections April 25
The two fixtures for older horses at Sandown on Friday appear wide open.
International
British Spot Plays: Craven meeting at Newmarket April 15
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
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
Michael Iavarone explains his winning Pick-5 ticket structure
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
Betting the Rebel Stakes Day early Pick 5 at Oaklawn Park
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