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.
Handicapping the Cross Country Pick 5 for May 8
Multi-race bettors who like turf racing should find some appeal in Saturday's Cross Country Pick 5, the sequence of which uses a total four grass races at Churchill Downs and Belmont Park.
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Kentucky Oaks Day spot plays at Churchill Downs
We'll concentrate our spot plays on the final three stakes on the Kentucky Oaks card, including the fascinating feature of the day.
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Spot Plays for the Kentucky Derby card and 2000 Guineas
The Kentucky Derby (G1) is back where it belongs in 2021, on the first Saturday in May, and as expected the entire 14-race card at Churchill Downs is tremendous.
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Pimlico: Handicapping the all-stakes Pick 5 for April 24
We're only a week out from the Kentucky Derby (G1), which means the Preakness (G1) is not far behind.
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Defections mean shrinking number of Derby bubble horses
Less than two weeks out from the Kentucky Derby (G1), it appears nearly everyone who wants to run in the Churchill Downs classic may have the opportunity.
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Queen Elizabeth's top race horses of all time
A prominent fixture on the turf since ascending the throne of the United Kingdom in 1952, Queen Elizabeth II has enjoyed tremendous success as both an owner and breeder in her seven decades as the sport's most recognizable patron. Indeed, a number of her most accomplished runners came along during the first decade or so of her long and inspiring reign.
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Several "bubble" horses in good shape to make Kentucky Derby
The 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby prep series is complete, but the field for the May 1 classic at Churchill Downs remains somewhat fluid.
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Handicapping the Cross Country Pick 5 for April 10
Saturday's Cross Country Pick 5 largely consists of stakes at Aqueduct, Keeneland, and Oaklawn Park, but kicks off with a first-level allowance for older horses at the Big A.
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Four horses to follow in the 2021 Grand National Steeplechase
After the 2020 race was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, the world-famous Grand National Steeplechase is back on the calendar Saturday.
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Horses to Watch on TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby Day
A blockbuster 14-race card awaits horseplayers on Saturday when Fair Grounds hosts TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby Day.
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What is Tennessee's legacy on horse racing and the Kentucky Derby?
Did you know that the Tennessee Derby was once a Kentucky Derby prep? Discover more on how TN shaped horse racing during the 19th century.
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Hanson: Stakes spot plays for Oaklawn, Santa Anita on March 13
The Rebel (G2) and Beholder Mile (G1) are the feature events of this Saturday's stakes action, but for wagering purposes we'll be eyeing some of the other stakes.
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Hanson: Stakes spot plays for Gulfstream, Fair Grounds Feb. 27
Highlighted by two significant Kentucky Derby (G1) preps and the return of the juvenile filly champion in the Davona Dale (G2), Saturday's stakes calendar is action-packed.
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Spot Plays for Mardi Gras Day at Fair Grounds
Fair Grounds has put together a stellar weekday program in celebration of the local holiday of Mardi Gras.
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Hanson: Louisiana Derby Preview Day stakes spot plays
Weather and track conditions will be the X-factor on Fair Grounds' Louisiana Derby Preview Day card on Saturday.
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Spot Plays for Sam Houston Bet Back Feb. 10
Horses of interest for the Sam Houston Bet Back offer for Wednesday's live racing.
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Horses to watch in Santa Anita's Rainbow Pick 6 dispersal Feb. 6
Provided there is no single winning ticket on Friday's card, expect a big pool in Saturday's Rainbow Pick 6 at Santa Anita.
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Hanson: Stakes Spot Plays for Jan. 30
There'll be a lot of potentially significant stakes to digest on Saturday from coast to coast. Unfortunately, more than a few have short fields, likely short-priced winners, or both.
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Handicapping the Pegasus World Cup Late Pick 5
There are plenty of enticing wagering options available on the back half of Saturday's blockbuster card at Gulfstream Park, including the 50-cent all-graded stakes Pick 5. Here's how we'll attack the sequence.
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Spot Plays for Fair Grounds' Road to the Derby Kickoff Day stakes
Saturday's "Road to the Derby Kickoff" card at Fair Grounds is a marathon 13-race program filled with stakes, maidens for 3-year-olds, and a two-turn allowance for up-and-coming classic prospects.
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Handicapping Sam Houston's Space City Pick 6 mandatory payout Jan. 9
The second card of Sam Houston's 2021 season on Saturday night features the jackpot Space City Pick 6 wager with a mandatory payout.
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Lost History: Detroit Race Course's Michigan Mile
Detroit Race Course, in Livonia, was the most successful of Michigan's tracks, seeing the likes of Black Tie Affair and Damascus.
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Handicapping the Cross Country Pick 5 on Black Friday
The Cross Country Pick 5 at Aqueduct and Churchill Downs on Black Friday is nearly an all-stakes challenging sequence with few apparent stick outs.
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Thanksgiving Day spot plays for Fair Grounds Nov. 26
Vance Hanson handicaps the Fair Grounds kick off on Thanksgiving Day with an attractive 10-race card to commence an exciting 2020-21 winter meet.
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Handicapping the Cross Country Pick 5 on Nov. 15
Vance Hanson takes a look at Sunday's cross country Pick 5 between Aqueduct and Churchill Downs.
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Trends that continued or were halted at the 2020 Breeders' Cup
Two stories published in October noted trends for bettors to be aware of heading into last weekend's Breeders' Cup at Keeneland. Did they hold true?
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Hanson: Handicapping the late Pick 5 on Breeders' Cup Saturday
Bet the Breeders' Cup Pick 5 Saturday with Vance Hanson, here's how we'll attack the Pick 5 that caps a tremendous day at Keeneland.
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Hanson: Betting plans for Day 1 of the 2020 Breeders' Cup
If you love betting 2-year-olds, Day 1 of the 2020 Breeders' Cup on Friday is definitely for you. Here's how we'll be involved on the latter half of the program.
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Hanson: Spot Plays for the 2020 Melbourne Cup
Melbourne Cup post time for the A$6 million "Race That Stops a Nation" is 11 p.m. ET. Watch and bet online with TwinSpires.com!
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Hanson: Handicapping Churchill Downs on Oct. 31
With plenty of wagering options throughout Churchill Down's 10-race card Saturday, we'll focus on a Pick 3 on the back half of the card.
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