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
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.
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
Hanson: Betting the Pegasus World Cup Late Pick 5
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
Likely Exchange: The little mare with outsized influence
Who was Likely Exchange? In brief, a mare of hickory on the racetrack whose too short life as a producer nonetheless stretched in influence well into the 21st century.
History
Why I voted nay on Thorpedo Anna for Horse of the Year
When the 2024 Eclipse Award ceremony is held in late January, the most likely name to be pulled from the envelope containing the voters' choice as Horse of the Year is Thorpedo Anna.
Features
Exploring Famous Racehorse Names and Their Meanings
Scan the entries on a typical racecard and you'll see a wide assortment of ordinary nouns and phrases make up a significant portion of the names Thoroughbreds carry with them throughout their lives.
Horse
Remembering the champions we lost in 2024
Through Dec. 19, si Eclipse Award-winning Thoroughbreds are known to have died in 2024. Here are short sketches of each one in chronological order according to the year their championships were attained.
Features
Thanksgiving Day 2024 Spot Plays at Fair Grounds
A nice 10-race card kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, with several interesting maiden and allowance races leading up to the featured Thanksgiving Classic.
Analysis
Claim to Fame: Ex-claimers that made racing's Hall of Fame
Claiming race alumni through the years have taken their talents to levels that warranted induction into the sport's Hall of Fame.
Features
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin the night of Nov. 8
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 12 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
2024 Breeders' Cup: Rolling Pick 3 play for Saturday
Bettors will have a lot of rolling Pick 3 options on Saturday's Breeders' Cup card at Del Mar. Here is one I'll be focusing on.
Breeders Cup
2024 Breeders' Cup: Betting the rolling two-day Doubles
Bettors looking to get involved in multi-race wagers at this weekend's Breeders' Cup at Del Mar should be reminded that those generally offering the lowest takeout will be the Doubles.
Breeders Cup
2024 Breeders' Cup undercard includes vulnerable favorites
Before the nine Breeders' Cup races commence on Saturday, Del Mar offers a trio of events.
Breeders Cup
2024 Breeders' Cup: Betting the All-Turf Pick 4
A longshot dominated Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) helped boost the payoff of the All-Turf Pick 4 payoff at Santa Anita last year.
Breeders Cup