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Best of Hanson: 2023 Anthology
In a break from recent years, the historically themed pieces I wrote during 2023 were all published at TwinSpires.com. Therefore, it makes sense that my ninth annual anthology would be available on the TwinSpires Edge, too.
Racing
First-crop sires: Next wave of prospects storming in for Omaha Beach
Since our last installment on juveniles to watch by Omaha Beach, the blueblood freshman sire has doubled his tally of winners to 22.
Racing
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Dec. 28, 2023
Jason discusses the topic of whether or not horse racing should run on Christmas or not.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Cox colts shine at Fair Grounds
A pair of 1 1/16-mile maiden special weights contested at Fair Grounds on Saturday could have 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) implications.
Racing
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Dec. 21, 2023
Jason discusses some horse racing gift and holiday ideas in his weekly Thursday column.
Racing
Remembering the champions we lost in 2023
Through Dec. 18, nine former Eclipse Award-winning Thoroughbreds are known to have died in 2023.
Racing
First-crop sires: Stakes horses shine for Maximus Mischief
With two weeks left in 2023, Maximus Mischief is holding his own among the year’s leading first-crop sires.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Winners from coast to coast
All around the country, promising 2-year-olds posted sharp maiden victories last week, throwing their names in the ring as potential 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders.
Racing
Pedigree profile: Wynstock
Stretching out in distance has worked wonders for Wynstock. After failing to factor in his first two starts sprinting, the chestnut colt has been unstoppable in two-turn races, dominating a one-mile maiden special weight before battling to victory in the 1 1/16-mile Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos.
Racing
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Dec. 14, 2023
Jason discusses what makes an "expert" in horse racing and what someone would have to do in their area of the sport to be considered one.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Speed Runner runs to his name
Two-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Todd Pletcher already conditions Fierceness, the early favorite for the 2024 Run for the Roses. But Pletcher’s contingent of possible Derby contenders keeps getting deeper.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Dec. 11, 2023
Jason looks back at a race and a situation that came up nearing the finish of that race, and how it was a good reminder of just how unpredictable parts of our game can be.
Racing
Tall Tales of the Track: When Fortune Smiled on Johnny
For one Hall of Fame jockey, fate intervened at the right moment to steer him toward the life that he dreamed of and a career that made him a vital part of racing's history.
Racing
Jason Beem's Thursday Column Dec. 7, 2023
Jason discusses setting post times and why it's important for tracks to be apart from their competition.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Dornoch
It’s safe to say that Dornoch has the pedigree of a Kentucky Derby (G1) winner. Because… he literally has the pedigree of a Kentucky Derby winner.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: How talented is El Capi?
How talented is El Capi? It’s hard to say for certain. He was spectacular when debuting in a seven-furlong maiden special weight last Saturday at Aqueduct, but his performance was not without a caveat.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Dec. 4, 2023
Jason looks back at a very interesting running of the Remsen Stakes from Saturday.
Racing
The Heart that Wears the Crown: Affirmed
But who was the lanky chestnut colt that came out on top, the one that followed Seattle Slew into history a scant 12 months after his own classic campaign? The combination of an easygoing disposition, a clever mind, and an iron will gave Affirmed everything he would need to turn away his challengers and become an immortal.
Racing
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Nov. 30, 2023
Jason discusses the momentum of Turfway Park and talks about some examples of tracks in the last 20 years who caught big waves of momentum among players and fans.
Racing
First-crop sires: Winners keep coming for Maximus Mischief
Maximus Mischief picked up his third black-type stakes winner on Nov. 22 when Carmelina stormed to a runaway victory in the $100,000 Shamrock Rose S. at Penn National.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Nov. 29, 2023
Jason opens the show looking ahead to Turfway Park's opening night. Then we welcome in Turfway Park's Director of Racing and Racing Secretary Tyler Picklesimer to the show to talk about the season, the growth at Turfway, its history, and more!
Racing
Is Equinox the best racehorse in the world?
Is Equinox the best racehorse in the world? He certainly looked the part when delivering a blowout victory in the Japan Cup (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse last Sunday.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Nov. 27, 2023
Jason looks back at the opening weekend at Tampa Bay Downs and discusses some of the highs and lows of the weekend.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Nov. 20, 2023
Jason looks back at his favorite performance from the weekend and looks ahead to Tampa Bay Downs opening up on Wednesday!
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Carbone finishes fast in debut
The week before Thanksgiving is typically a quiet one as far as stakes racing goes. But Carbone made enough noise for five stakes horses when he smashed his debut on Sunday at Churchill Downs.
Racing
First-Crop Sires: Flameaway making a mark on turf
Flameaway’s first crop started strong this spring/summer, placing him among the top five freshman sires based on progeny earnings, and the eight-year-old stallion remains prominent.
Racing
The Churchill Downs match still in doubt after a century
Match racing in the United States has a spotty history, but one of the few that (mostly) lived up to the hype occurred 100 years ago this week at Churchill Downs.
Racing
First-Crop Sires: Fillies continue to shine for Mitole
Since our first installment regarding the first-crop runners by Mitole over the summer, the former champion sprinter has been represented by two stakes winners and several other maiden winners of note.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Nash dominates for Godolphin
Possible Road to the Kentucky Derby contenders were out in abundance on Sunday afternoon at Churchill Downs.
Racing
First-crop sires: Maximus Mischief is riding a hot streak
After siring only two winners between the middle of September and the middle of October, first-crop sire Maximus Mischief is on fire again, regaining the momentum that made him the leading sire by progeny earnings through much of summer and early fall.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Nov. 13, 2023
Jason discusses some of the racing from the weekend and the changes of the racing season.
Racing
Tall Tales of the Track: The Ups and Downs of Tango Shandy
The slip of a saddle at an inopportune time, like the middle of the Dubai World Cup in the case of California Chrome, can become a challenge even greater than the 1,000-pound animals running alongside. In one particular jump race nearly 40 years ago, a slip of a saddle and the question of a foot caused a horse, his rider, and his trainer enough consternation to last a lifetime.
Racing
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Nov. 9, 2023
Jason discusses the passing of Cody Dorman and the importance of the emotional connections that come into our lives because of racing.
Racing
Kentucky Derby glory a longshot for major juvenile winners
The lopsided win by Fierceness in last week's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) has put the colt in the position of early favorite to repeat that success in the 150th edition of the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs next May.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Nov. 6, 2023
Jason looks back at the Breeders' Cup weekend and discusses some things he liked and disliked about the two-day event.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Knightsbridge impresses
While most racing fans were watching the Breeders’ Cup, a trio of Saturday maiden special weights at tracks around the U.S. produced eye-catching winners with possible 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) aspirations.
Racing
Scully: Longshot watch for 2023 Breeders’ Cup
Longshots play a role in every Breeders’ Cup. In 2022, Caravel recorded the biggest upset, returning an $87.78 win mutuel ($2) after leading all the way in the Turf Sprint (G1), and horses leaving the starting gate at 10-1 odds or higher produced 15 top-three finishes over the two-day, 14-race program.
Racing
Scully: Pick 3 plays on Breeders’ Cup Saturday
The Breeders’ Cup Saturday betting menu offers horseplayers plenty of options, and I will look to leverage my strongest opinions in the nine-race sequence in horizontal and vertical wagers.
Racing
Scully: Singling Tamara in Breeders’ Cup Friday Pick 5
The Future Stars Friday program features five Breeders’ Cup races for two-year-olds at Santa Anita, and the Juvenile Fillies (G1) will spotlight the probable biggest favorite of the two-day event, Tamara.
Racing
Breeders' Cup Barn Tour: Kelsey Danner
Trainer Kelsey Danner is enjoying her first trip to Santa Anita for one special reason: her Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) contender Shards.
Racing
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Nov. 2, 2023
Jason discusses his thoughts on this year's Breeders' Cup Classic and some other opinions on Saturday's big card.
Racing
The 2023 Breeders’ Cup Distaff Tipsheet
Eleven fillies and mares will square off over 1 1/8 miles in Saturday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). Three-year-old fillies won back-to-back Distaffs at Santa Anita in 2013 and 2014 (Beholder and Untapable), but older runners have dominated since, winning seven of the last eight runnings.
Racing
The Heart That Wears the Crown: Seattle Slew
The 10th Triple Crown winner’s humble beginnings belied the deep talent inside this champion, a horse with strength and speed to spare and a heart that loved to run.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Churchill winners shine
The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) is barely more than six months away, which means it’s time to resume our annual Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch series.
Racing
Breeders’ Cup Roundup: Oct. 30, 2023
J. Keeler Johnson reviews the latest news and results on the road to the 2023 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita.
Racing
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets and Fades for Oct. 28-29 [Video]
Racing analysts Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Darin Zoccali discuss races at Churchill Downs, Keeneland, and Belmont at Aqueduct this weekend! Ashley and James provide their thoughts in the written portion below. Be sure to check out Darin's opinions in our on-camera portion. We have promo codes exclusively for our Jury viewers later in the show, as well!
Racing
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Oct. 26, 2023
Jason discusses whether or not horses with no hope in a race are entitled to "take a shot" or shouldn't be allowed to enter a race in which they don't belong.
Racing
Scully: Breeders’ Cup Classic Fair Odds
The 40th running of the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) will be offered at Santa Anita on Nov. 4, and a large, competitive field appears to be shaping up for the 1 1/4-mile race.
Racing
Breeders’ Cup Roundup: Oct. 23, 2023
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series came to an end last Saturday with two final qualifiers on British Champions Day at Ascot in England.
Racing
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Maiden Watch: Two powerful winners
Roughly two weeks out from the Nov. 3 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita, it might seem too late for new contenders to emerge. But that’s not necessarily the case.
Racing
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets and Fades for Oct. 21-22 [Video]
Racing analysts Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Darin Zoccali discuss Keeneland! Ashley and James provide their thoughts in the written portion below. Be sure to check out Darin's opinions in our on-camera portion. We have promo codes exclusively for our Jury viewers later in the show, as well!
Racing
The Science of Horse Racing: When Is Pedigree Useful?
Understanding the influence of sire and dam and the right time to consider pedigree can make that information a useful part of your handicapping routine and give you more data to help you decide where to put your wagering dollar.
Racing
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Oct. 19, 2023
Jason discusses watching some racing from Mountaineer and their long-running and unique broadcast with Mark Patterson.
Racing
When well-bred horses debut, wait for the right time to bet
When a sibling or half-sibling to a high-profile racehorse debuts, it’s common for bettors to notice the elite pedigree and bet heavily, even if the sibling is debuting in a race that seems less than ideal from a pedigree perspective.
Racing
Catching My Eye: Mighty Hearts and Raw Talent at Keeneland
A fantastic card at Keeneland on Saturday was punctuated time and again by a triumphant favorite, winning each of the final six races, including the sensational $600,000 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1). The raw talent of freshman Dornoch and the gallant heart of both Lindy and First Mission were on full display.
Racing
Breeders’ Cup Classic Preview; Ranking contenders by category
The $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic serves as the centerpiece of the two-day, 14-race Breeders’ Cup World Championship, and a large field is shaping up for the 1 1/4-mile race at Santa Anita on Nov. 4.
Racing
First-crop sires: Second stakes winner for Maximus Mischief
TwinSpires.com will follow prominent first-crop sires whose two-year-olds are hitting the track this season. This installment is the third on 2018 Remsen (G2) winner Maximus Mischief.
Racing
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Maiden Watch: Dornoch impresses
You never know where a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) contender might come from. Three weeks out from the Nov. 3 showdown at Santa Anita, possible starters are still emerging.
Racing
Breeders’ Cup Roundup: Oct. 16, 2023
Godolphin homebred Mawj lived up to expectations when returning from a five-month layoff in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Oct. 16, 2023
Jason looks back at his favorite moments from the weekend, including the retirement of the great Channel Maker.
Racing
Tournament Strategy: Contenders List for Saturday at Keeneland
TwinSpires’ has a National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) handicapping tournament this weekend and it covers the entire Keeneland card on Saturday, October 14.
Racing
Tall Tales of the Track: Splish, Splash
Over a century earlier, horses splashed through a memorable edition of the Crescent City Derby as an improbable deluge sailed into history as a bigger story than the race itself.
Racing
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Oct. 12, 2023
Jason discusses the horses who have started the most times in 2023 and those who start often versus the ones who don't.
Racing
Pedigree profile: Muth
When the speedy Muth successfully stretched out over 1 1/16 miles to dominate the American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita by 3 3/4 lengths, it came as no surprise to pedigree handicappers.
Racing
Racing Roundtable: Breeders' Cup analysis of two-year-olds, turf preps, and a stand against
Ashley Anderson and James Scully discuss impressive two-year-old performances and the best Breeders' Cup prep on turf, as well as prep winners the panel will take a stand against. Churchill Downs racing analyst Scott Shapiro joins the weekly Racing Roundtable video series and provides his input above in our on-camera portion.
Racing
Breeders’ Cup Roundup: Oct. 9, 2023
Opening week at Keeneland featured eight Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series qualifiers across a variety of divisions.
Racing
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Maiden Watch: Drum Roll Please breaks through
Is Drum Roll Please on his way to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and/or Road to the Kentucky Derby? It’s not out of the question after the Brad Cox trainee broke his maiden at Aqueduct last Friday.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Oct. 9, 2023
Jason discusses some good and bad opinions from the weekend and also questions why people debate things that can't be settled on the track?
Racing
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Oct. 5, 2023
Jason discusses learning new things and concepts in life and racing and doing so with a "beginner's mind."
Racing
TwinSpires $2,500 NHC Qualifier Feeder: TwinSpires rolls out new $10 win bet tournaments
Outside of working at a racetrack, to me, there’s no better experience as a handicapper than going to the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC). TwinSpires announced a new tournament, the TwinSpires $5,000 NHC Qualifier, offering two seats.
Racing
Racing Roundtable: Breeders' Cup Classic picture, Cody's Wish, Arc weekend
James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson convene the Racing Roundtable to discuss Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) preps, Cody's Wish's victory in the Vosburgh (G2), and the weekend action in Europe.
Racing
Japan’s Ushba Tesoro streaks into Breeders’ Cup Classic
The captain of Japan's Breeders' Cup team is Ushba Tesoro, the Dubai World Cup (G1) winner who rides a six-race winning streak into the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).
Racing
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Maiden Watch: Stronghold is strong
Three maiden special weights at Churchill Downs last week produced possible Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and/or Road to the Kentucky Derby contenders.
Racing
Breeders’ Cup Roundup: Oct. 2, 2023
Half of this week’s Breeders’ Cup qualifying action took place at ParisLongchamp in France, where a quintet of Group 1 races awarded “Win and You’re In” tickets.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Oct. 2, 2023
Jason looks back at his break from racing as well as some of the topics that came up from this past weekend of racing.
Racing
International spotlight: Breeders’ Cup WAYIs on Arc Day 2023
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) is figuratively, and almost literally, the centerpiece of the Sunday action at ParisLongchamp, as the fourth of nine races on the fantastic card. Thus the other Group 1s, including four Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” events, are stacked all around it.
Racing
Betting Strategies: Building tickets with the market in mind
In terms of building multi-race tickets, we are betting into the races blindly, meaning we do not have any tote information about where the money is going and who might be underlays or overlays. Therefore, a lot of horseplayers end up writing tickets that simply reflect their opinions of who could win, forgetting about the notion of value.
Racing
The Heart that Wears the Crown: Secretariat
Fifty years and 31 lengths ago, Secretariat sailed into the history books as the ninth horse to win the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes, our American Triple Crown.
Racing
International spotlight: 10 storylines for 2023 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
Sunday’s €5 million Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) is living up to its historic legacy as a fascinating intergenerational clash, pitting current classic winners versus older stars.
Racing
Racing Roundtable: Penn Derby Day and Churchill Downs After Dark
The Roundtable gang of James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson are back to comment on the weekend action highlighted by Pennsylvania Derby Day at Parx and Downs After Dark at Churchill Downs.
Racing
Breeders’ Cup Roundup: Sept. 25, 2023
Pennsylvania Derby (G1) winner Saudi Crown is expected to target the Breeders’ Cup, with both the Classic (G1) and the shorter Dirt Mile (G1) being viable options.
Racing
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Maiden Watch: Asmussen trainees score at Churchill
A pair of second-time starters from the Steve Asmussen barn graduated in seven-furlong maiden special weights at Churchill Downs last Friday, emerging as possible Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and/or Road to the Kentucky Derby contenders.
Racing
Churchill Downs Early Pick 5: Wednesday, September 20, 2023
One week into the Churchill Downs Fall meet and the Early Pick 5 payouts are averaging just over $10,000. This five-figure trend will likely continue on Wednesday as the sequence has several vulnerable morning line favorites, including one who will surely be singled on the majority of tickets.
Racing
First-crop sires: State-bred winners keep Maximus Mischief hot
One month has passed since we introduced Maximus Mischief as the early leader among first-crop sires of 2023. It’s safe to say he remains a dominant force among young stallions.
Racing
Brereton C. Jones: Former Kentucky Governor's four noted Thoroughbred connections
Brereton C. Jones, who along with his wife Libby founded Airdrie Stud in 1972 and later served one term as governor of Kentucky from 1991-95, died on Sept. 18 at the age of 84.
Features
Racing Roundtable: 2024 Derby, Oaks trails kick off and Master of the Seas
A scaled-down version of the Racing Roundtable looks back at the first preps for the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1), a top turf miler, and other notes of interest from the weekend.
Features
Breeders’ Cup Roundup: Sept. 18, 2023
The Saturday card at Woodbine in Canada featured three Grade 1 stakes awarding “Win and You’re In” berths to the Breeders’ Cup.
Racing
First-crop sires: Omaha Beach runners hit targets from Del Mar to France
Since our opening salvo on Omaha Beach’s juveniles, the freshman sire has added four more winners, for a total of 11, and increased his tally of stakes performers. Let’s catch up with his recent stakes results before focusing on his latest progeny in the win column.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Sept. 18, 2023
Jason discusses the career of jockey Gary Boulanger and his connection to the rider who announced his retirement this past weekend.
Racing
The Science of Horse Racing: Bits
From a simple snaffle to a Norton, the right bit is just as important as the saddle and the blinkers you see on your favorite Thoroughbred.
Racing
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Sept. 14, 2023
Jason looks back at his first ever Canadian Triple Crown race to attend in person, the Prince of Wales Stakes.
Racing
Catching My Eye: Closing Day at Colonial Downs
Kevin Kilroy goes over horses of interest as he analyzes closing day at Colonial Downs.
Features
Breeders' Cup Roundup: Sept. 11, 2023
A pair of rich Saturday stakes at Kentucky Downs awarded “Win and You’re In” berths to the Breeders’ Cup as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series.
Breeders Cup
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Maiden Watch: Slider breaks through at Del Mar
At this time of year, you can usually count on at least one juvenile per week to deliver an exciting maiden victory. Last week, the excitement came courtesy of a bay colt named Slider.
Breeders Cup
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Sept. 11, 2023
Jason looks back at the end of the Colonial Downs season and his first five years calling the races in Virginia.
Features
International Spotlight: Five BC WAYIs during Irish Champions Festival
This weekend’s Irish Champions Festival features a grand total of five Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” contests.
International
Breeders' Cup Classic Preview: Pacific Classic, Travers reinforce early projections
We previewed the major role three-year-olds were poised to play in our first installment of the Breeders’ Cup Classic preview last month, and Arabian Knight and Arcangelo established themselves as the probable top two betting choices with respective wins in the Pacific Classic (G1) and Travers (G1).
Breeders Cup
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Sept. 7, 2023
Jason looks back at his first Virginia Derby and a scary incident that never really should have been scary.
Features