Profile Picture: Vance Hanson

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.

Playing the March 25 Bayou Bluegrass 5
Playing the March 25 Bayou Bluegrass 5

2023-03-24T13:33:45.298ZVance Hanson

Fair Grounds and Turfway Park team up Saturday to offer the Bayou Bluegrass 5, a 50-cent minimum Pick 5 wager that includes the main features on the biggest cards of the season at both facilities.
Meet the Contenders: 2023 Louisiana Derby
Meet the Contenders: 2023 Louisiana Derby

2023-03-20T22:54:09.457ZVance Hanson

Meet the horses running in the 2023 Louisiana Derby over 1 3/16 miles on dirt at Fair Grounds in Louisiana.
Meet the Contenders: 2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes
Meet the Contenders: 2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes

2023-03-03T20:04:39.031ZVance Hanson

Meet the horses running in the 2023 Fountain of Youth S. (G2), plus a pro, con and rating of their potential.
Meet the Contenders: 2023 San Felipe Stakes
Meet the Contenders: 2023 San Felipe Stakes

2023-03-03T19:36:51.951ZVance Hanson

Meet the horses running in the 2023 San Felipe S. (G2), plus a pro, con and rating of their potential.
Meet the Contenders: 2023 Holy Bull Stakes
Meet the Contenders: 2023 Holy Bull Stakes

2023-02-02T20:07:49.543ZVance Hanson

Star Ratings and Pros/Cons for the Holy Bull Stakes contenders.
Hanson: Betting the Pegasus World Cup Late Pick 5
Hanson: Betting the Pegasus World Cup Late Pick 5

2023-01-27T17:54:11.723ZVance Hanson

The all-stakes Late Pick 5 on Pegasus World Cup Day includes several races with seemingly vulnerable favorites, customarily the optimum conditions in which to hop in and play this type of wager.
2022 in Review: Leading Turf Horses by Eclipse Award categories
2022 in Review: Leading Turf Horses by Eclipse Award categories

2022-12-28T21:11:46.374ZVance Hanson

A majority of Eclipse Award categories for equine flat performers is technically open to all runners, regardless of surface proclivity.
2022 in Review: A record year for trainer Todd Pletcher
2022 in Review: A record year for trainer Todd Pletcher

2022-12-27T20:22:02.301ZVance Hanson

With stable earnings of more than $30.3 million, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has enjoyed a record season in 2022.
Fair Grounds spot plays for Dec. 26
Fair Grounds spot plays for Dec. 26

2022-12-23T20:26:27.631ZVance Hanson

After providing a couple opinions on Monday's "Road to the Derby Kickoff" card over at the TwinSpires Jury post, here are several other horses of interest on the stakes-laden program.
Oaklawn Park: How scrutinizing race conditions can be beneficial
Oaklawn Park: How scrutinizing race conditions can be beneficial

2022-12-16T19:59:25.182ZVance Hanson

The first thing bettors should generally do before handicapping a race is read and comprehend its conditions.
Five trends to consider from Week 1 at Turfway Park
Five trends to consider from Week 1 at Turfway Park

2022-12-06T20:16:27.872ZVance Hanson

The four-month winter meet at Turfway Park is only one week old, but has already begun producing some interesting trends after four days of racing.
Chop Chop among three early stakes winners for freshman sire City of Light
Chop Chop among three early stakes winners for freshman sire City of Light

2022-11-14T18:20:08.996ZVance Hanson

Since our first installment highlighting the first crop by City of Light, the freshman sire has been represented by an additional six winners, three of whom have won stakes.
Hanson: A case for Flightline's early retirement
Hanson: A case for Flightline's early retirement

2022-11-08T19:34:34.340ZVance Hanson

While some racing fans are disappointed Flightline won't reappear on the racetrack, the "he has nothing more to prove" argument might be a sound one.