Vance Hanson

Georgetown

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Articles

Sovereignty delivers first Kentucky Derby win for Godolphin

1 week ago | brisnet.com | Vance Hanson

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Entering the 151st edition of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) on Saturday at Churchill Downs, America's premier event had been virtually the one worldwide classic that had eluded Godolphin, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's international racing juggernaut.
Macho Music too fast for Pat Day Mile rivals

1 week ago | brisnet.com | Vance Hanson

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Speed is traditionally dangerous over a wet track, and so it proved when Macho Music led throughout in the $539,500 Pat Day Mile (G2) on the Kentucky Derby Day program at Churchill Downs on Saturday. What made the 13-1 chance's tally even more impressive were the fractions he posted. Macho Music covered the opening quarter mile in :22.43, a half mile in :44.93, and began to edge clear after six furlongs in 1:09.66.
Good Cheer stays on top in Kentucky Oaks

1 week ago | brisnet.com | Vance Hanson

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Good Cheer, undefeated and the undisputed horse to beat entering Friday's $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1), walked off the field of battle with a mud-caked coat still undefeated and still the undisputed leader of the three-year-old filly class. Over a Churchill Downs track downgraded to sloppy after a severe thunderstorm blew through Louisville in late afternoon, Good Cheer showed the kind of stamina and endurance her 12 rivals could not match.
Fierceness scores track record win in Alysheba

1 week ago | brisnet.com | Vance Hanson

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Fierceness, a champion at two and one of last year's leading three-year-old colts, commenced his four-year-old campaign in fine style Friday at Churchill Downs, recording a track-record setting victory in the $750,000 Alysheba (G2). Last seen finishing a brave second to eventual division champion Sierra Leone in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) in November, Fierceness showed no signs of rust in the stretch, wearing down long-time leader Most Wanted to win by 1 1/2 lengths.
First Mission, Instant Replay score for Cox at Oaklawn

3 weeks ago | brisnet.com | Vance Hanson

The Brad Cox stable continued its recent cleanup of lucrative worldwide dirt stakes for older horses when First Mission rallied in between rivals in the stretch to take the $1.25 million Oaklawn H. (G2) on Saturday. Two weeks after stablemate Hit Show registered a massive upset in the Dubai World Cup (G1), First Mission's success was far more expected.
Skippylongstocking seeks rare repeat in Oaklawn Handicap

4 weeks ago | brisnet.com | Vance Hanson

One of the highlights of Skippylongstocking's 2024 campaign, a victory in the Oaklawn H. (G2), might be one this year, too, if the six-year-old veteran gets home on top in Saturday's renewal of the $1.25 million feature over 1 1/8 miles. As was the case 12 months ago, Skippylongstocking enters the Oaklawn 'Cap off a win versus lesser in the Challenger (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs on March 8.
Candied returns in deep renewal of Doubledogdare

4 weeks ago | brisnet.com | Vance Hanson

Among last year's crop of three-year-old fillies, Candied got as routinely close as anyone to division stalwart Thorpedo Anna. In other words, not very. Still, placings behind the Horse of the Year in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) were solid showings for Candied, who makes her season return Friday in the $350,000 Doubledogdare (G3) at Keeneland. Although Candied wisely avoided taking on Thorpedo Anna in last weekend's Apple Blossom H.
Thorpedo Anna rolls in Apple Blossom

1 month ago | brisnet.com | Vance Hanson

Reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna notched her sixth career Grade 1 victory in the $1.25 million Apple Blossom H. (G1) at Oaklawn Park on Saturday. Trainer Kenny McPeek said her attempt at a seventh won't be long in coming. The next intended target for the four-year-old filly is the $1 million La Troienne (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 2, where an audience of more than 100,000 spectators is possible, if the weather holds.
Carl Spackler dominant in Maker's Mark Mile

1 month ago | brisnet.com | Vance Hanson

If his performance in Friday's $552,013 Maker's Mark Mile (G1) is any indication of what to expect the rest of the season from Carl Spackler, the rest of the turf miler division will have a hard time keeping up. Enjoying a perfect stalking trip through the opening half-mile, Carl Spackler made a strong three-wide bid for the lead approaching the stretch and then overpowered his rivals to win by 4 1/4 lengths under Flavien Prat.
Thorpedo Anna packs more weight for Apple Blossom

1 month ago | brisnet.com | Vance Hanson

From a depth perspective, Saturday's $1.25 million Apple Blossom H. (G1) at Oaklawn Park appears about the same as its local prep, the Azeri (G2), was on March 8. Which means reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna is unlikely to encounter much difficulty in Oaklawn's signature event for fillies and mares over 1 1/16 miles. Despite being well short of peak fitness, Thorpedo Anna won the Azeri by 3 1/2 lengths.