Best of Hanson: 2022 Anthology
An annual tradition for me in this space is to provide a compilation of what I deem were the more interesting features (mostly of an historical bent) that I’ve written during the course of the […]
Racing History
Politely: Often second best, but always first class
They say one should never settle for second best. For the filly Politely, that would prove unavoidable from birth in one respect. In another, it was simply the way things shook out at the height […]
Carry that weight: Notable achievements in American handicaps
While handicaps have become passé in America during the past half-century, in England (and elsewhere) they generally form the backbone of day-to-day racing. Although the most important races are all run under weight-for-age conditions, many […]
A tribute to Lester Piggott
In our collaborative tribute to the late Lester Piggott, Vance Hanson highlights the great jockey’s forays to North America, and Kellie Reilly commemorates several of his brightest European stars. […]
A eulogy for Broodmare of the Year Leslie’s Lady
Broodmare of the Year Leslie’s Lady passed away Monday at the age of 26. Yet the doyenne of Fred Mitchell’s Clarkland Farm will live long in pedigrees. […]
Brisnet at 50: Horse racing’s journey to digital
Broadbent’s solution would become the first of many innovations which revolutionized in the horse industry, and birthed a company still going strong after half a century. […]
Challedon: Maryland’s first Horse of the Year
When the 2021 Eclipse Awards are announced later this month, it’s widely assumed Knicks Go will walk off with Horse of the Year honors, becoming only the third Maryland-bred to do so. Most racing fans […]
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. […]
Asmussen’s North American win record: Celebrating his brightest stars
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen surpassed the late Dale Baird’s all-time North American win record at Saratoga on Saturday, by sending out the long-anticipated number 9,446 – juvenile Stellar Tap. […]
Scully: 10 memorable Whitney winners
One of the most recognizable races for older horses, Saturday’s Whitney S. (G1) at Saratoga will showcase a dynamite field featuring Grade 1 winners Knicks Go, Maxfield, Silver State, and Swiss Skydiver. Here are 10 […]