Drefong – 2016 Champion Male Sprinter
By two-time grass champion Gio Ponti and out of a mare by Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)-winning Horse of the Year Ghostzapper (who happened to be a pretty good miler, too), there wasn’t necessarily a genetic […]
Articles by Vance Hanson
Breeders’ Cup winner Finest City kicks clear late in Santa Monica
Although favored to claim the 2016 Eclipse Award as the nation’s leading female sprinter, Finest City ensured herself of at least one victory on Saturday with a season-opening romp in the $200,000 Santa Monica (G2) at […]
Potential wet track a variable in wide-open Lecomte
As was the case at Oaklawn Park earlier this week for the Smarty Jones, there’s a strong possibility of an off track for the next Kentucky Derby (G1) prep on the schedule. That would be […]
An early case for Arrogate in Pegasus World Cup
The conventional wisdom is that California Chrome, despite losing the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) to Arrogate, will be both the reigning Horse of the Year and the betting favorite when the two meet again a […]
Fair Grounds turf stakes serves as backup for I’m a Chatterbox
Up-and-coming three-year-olds will take center stage on Road to the Derby Day at Fair Grounds on Saturday, but a quartet of stakes for older horses will enhance the 12-race program. It’s not the most lucrative […]
Uncontested blows away rivals in Smarty Jones
Uncontested passed his first off-track test with flying colors and picked up 10 qualifying points toward Kentucky Derby (G1) eligibility with a gate-to-wire victory in Monday’s $150,000 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park. Away alertly and […]
Flatlined edges Almanaar in Ft. Lauderdale
Flatlined, a five-year-old gelded son of Flatter, fell a neck short of catching Heart to Heart in last month’s $100,000 El Prado, but turned the tables on that rival and a pair of Grade 1 […]
Declines continue as Keeneland January concludes
SINGSONG, a winning four-year-old filly offered as a broodmare prospect, was acquired by Machmer Hall for $52,000 at the fifth and final session of the 2017 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale on Friday […]
Fifth and Madison leads Keeneland session at $135,000
FIFTH AND MADISON, a four-year-old filly offered as a racing or broodmare prospect, was gaveled down to Mayday B. Branham for $135,000 at Wednesday’s third session of the 2017 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages […]
Heart to Heart faces tall task in Ft. Lauderdale title defense
It was a close-run thing, but Heart to Heart maintained his undefeated turf record at Gulfstream Park with a neck victory over Flatlined in last month’s $100,000 El Prado. On Saturday, the speedball will try […]