Pros: Hansen was three-for-three last year, including his win by a head over Union Rags in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. That race has proven to be a key race, as nine of the 13 starters have won graded stakes at age 3. Hansen’s consistently earned Brisnet speed figures in the 100s or high 90s and he’s never finished worse than second in six lifetime starts.
Cons: Hansen still shows immaturity in some of his races. He couldn’t overcome a bad start and finished second, beaten five lengths by Algorithms, in the Holy Bull Stakes. In the Blue Grass Stakes, he darted to the lead and set fast early fractions that he couldn’t maintain which allowed a closer like Dullahan to gobble him up. He looks like the type that’s just going to go out there and run his race the way he wants to do it. If it’s good enough that day, he wins; if it’s not, he loses.
Fun Fact: Hansen likes to roll around and play in a sand pit after his workouts. He looks like a dog as he paws at the sand, crouches down, and then rolls on his back kicking up the sand. He then jumps up and shakes it off before striking a regal pose.
Analysis: Hansen can win this race if he can sit back and let someone else go to the lead at the start. I really don’t know that he’ll do that. He seems like a headstrong colt that wants things his way. I’ll make a game-time decision on how or if I’ll bet him. I have him in the first Derby Future Wager pool at 26-1, so I might just let that be my Hansen bet.
Photo: Louisville Magazine/Nicholas Karem
