Best of Hanson: 2021 Anthology
With the resumption of a more normal racing calendar in 2021, there were fewer opportunities for me to dive deep into historical subjects over the last 12 months compared to the pandemic-affected year of 2020. […]
Secretariat
Turcotte at 80: Reflections beyond the big two
The ninth decade of life typically isn’t one in which the retired expect to be overly active or in the spotlight, but for Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcotte, the next few years figure to be busier than normal. […]
Ranking Eclipse Award Winners: Turf Horse
In celebration of the 50th year of the Eclipse Awards, Brisnet staff and contributors have delved into the history of the past five decades of champions and come up with individual thoughts on the best, […]
Best of Hanson: 2020 Anthology
The cessation of racing in most jurisdictions during the darker days of the pandemic last spring afforded me the opportunity to produce a few more historically-oriented features during the course of the year than would […]
Classifying the Triple Crown winners: Four categories of champions
In addition to the blockbuster Arkansas Derby Day at Oaklawn Park, Saturday offers a virtual treat in the form of the “Kentucky Derby: Triple Crown Showdown.” The computer-simulated race, pitting the 13 Triple Crown champions […]
Triple Crown winners clash in virtual Kentucky Derby on May 2
The 2020 Kentucky Derby (G1) is postponed until Sept. 5, but the first Saturday in May will still be observed with Churchill Downs offering daylong festivities for fans at home, highlighted by a virtual clash […]
Garden of Riches: When New Jersey hosted the richest races in America
They were routinely the two richest races held in the U.S. every year, their gross values exceeding any of the three Triple Crown events. […]
Sistercharlie makes history as two-time Beverly D. winner in course-record time
“She’s the horse of a lifetime.” That was trainer Chad Brown’s reaction after Peter M. Brant’s champion Sistercharlie rewrote the Arlington record books on Saturday. Not content with merely becoming the first to win the […]
Valid Point rallies late to win Secretariat in stakes debut
Valid Point followed stablemate Sistercharlie into the Arlington winner’s circle on Saturday, giving trainer Chad Brown a second Grade 1 score on the afternoon in the $500,000 Secretariat (G1). Shortened to one mile this year […]
Bricks and Mortar, Robert Bruce bid to give Brown a fourth Million
Chad Brown’s Bricks and Mortar & Robert Bruce Bricks and Mortar enters Saturday’s 37th running of the Arlington Million (G1) as the horse to beat and his main rival, stablemate Robert Bruce, will be making […]