Sports Jokes

by joker - 2001-07-26 ( culture / humor / jokes / sports ) [html version]

Baseball

An Irishman moves to the USA and finally attends his first baseball game. The first batter approached the batters box, took a few swings and then hit a double. Everyone was on their feet screaming "Run, Run." The next batter hit a single and the Irishman listened as the crowd again cheered "RUN, RUN." The Irishman enjoyed the game and began screaming with the fans.

The fifth batter came up and four balls went by. The umpire called a walk and the batter started his slow trot to first base. The Irishman stood up and screamed, "R-R-Run ye bastard, run!" The people around him began laughing.

Embarrassed, the Irishman sat back down. A friendly fan noted the man's embarrassment, leaned over and explained, "He can't run. He's got four balls."

The Irishman stood up and screamed, "Walk with pride, lad ... walk with pride."

Partners

A young avid golfer found himself with a few hours to spare one afternoon. He figured if he hurried and played very fast, he could get in 9 holes before he had to head home. Just as he was about to tee off an old gentleman shuffled onto the tee and asked if he could accompany the young man as he was golfing alone. Not being able to say no, he allowed the old gentleman to join him.

To his surprise the old man played fairly quickly. He didn't hit the ball far, but plodded along consistently and didn't waste much time.

Finally, they reached the 9th fairway and the young man found himself with a tough shot. There was a large pine tree right in front of his ball -- and directly between his ball and the green.

After several minutes of debating how to hit the shot the old man finally said, "You know, when I was your age I'd hit the ball right over that tree."

With that challenge placed before him, the youngster swung hard, hit the ball up, right smack into the top of the tree trunk and it thudded back on the ground not a foot from where it had originally lay.

The old man offered one more comment, "Of course, when I was your age that pine tree was only 3 feet tall."

Bosnian soldier

Coach Bobby Ross had put together the perfect Lions team. The only thing he was missing was a good quarterback. He had scouted all the colleges, and even the high schools, but he couldn't find a ringer quarterback who could ensure a Super Bowl win.

Then one night, while watching CNN, he saw a war-zone scene in Bosnia.

In one corner of the background, he spotted a young Bosnian soldier with a truly incredible arm. He threw a hand grenade straight into a 15th-story window 200 yards away -- ka-boom! He threw another hand grenade into a group of 10 soldiers 100 yards away -- ka-blooey! Then a car passed, going 90 mph -- bullseye!

"I've got to get this guy!" Ross said to himself. "He has the perfect arm!"

So, he brings him to the States and teaches him the great game of football, and the Lions go on to win the Super Bowl for the first time in history.

The young Bosnian is lionized as the Great Hero of football, and when Ross asks him what he wants, all the young man wants to do is to call his mother.

"Mom," he says into the phone, "I just won the Super Bowl."

"I don't want to talk to you," the old woman says. "You deserted us. You are not my son."

"I don't think you understand, Mother!" the young man pleads. "I just won the greatest sporting event in the world. I'm here among thousands of my adoring fans."

"No, let me tell you," the mother retorts. "At this very moment, there are gunshots all around us. The neighborhood is a pile of rubble. Your two brothers were beaten within an inch of their lives last week, and this week your sister was raped in broad daylight."

The old lady pauses, and then tearfully says "...I'll never forgive you for making us move to Detroit."

Super Bowl

A guy named Joe receives a free ticket to the Super Bowl from his company. Unfortunately, when Joe arrives at the stadium, he realizes the seat is in the last row in the corner of the stadium, he's closer to the Goodyear Blimp than the field. About halfway through the first quarter, Joe sees through his binoculars an empty seat 10 rows off the field right on the 50 yard line. He decides to take a chance and makes his way through the stadium and around the security guards to the empty seat.

As he sits down, Joe asks the gentleman sitting next to him, "Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?"

The man says "No."

Now, very excited to be in such a great seat for the game, Joe again inquires of the man next to him, "This is incredible! Who in their right mind would have a seat like this at the Super Bowl and not use it?!"

The man replies, "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. I was supposed to come with my wife, but she passed away. This is the first Super Bowl we haven't been together at since we got married in 1967."

"Well, that's really sad," said Joe, "but still, you couldn't find anyone to take the seat? A friend or close relative?"

"No," the man replies, "They're all at the funeral."

Skiing in Utah

Even if you aren't a skier, you'll be able to appreciate the humor of the slopes as written in this account by a New Orleans' paper.

A friend just got back from a holiday ski trip to Utah with the kind of story that warms the cockles of anybody's heart. Conditions were perfect. 12 below, no feeling in the toes, basic numbness all over, "tell me when we're having fun" kind of day.

One of the women in the group complained to her husband that she was in dire need of a restroom. He told her not to worry, that he was sure there was relief waiting at the top of the lift in the form of a powder room for female skiers in distress. He was wrong, of course, and the pain did not go away.

If you've ever had nature hit its panic button in you, then you know that a temperature of 12 below zero doesn't help matters. So, with time running out, the woman weighed her options.

Her husband, picking up on the intensity of the pain, suggested that since she was wearing an all-white ski outfit, she should go off in the woods. No one would even notice, he assured her. The white will provide more than adequate camouflage. So she headed for the tree line, began disrobing and proceeded to do her thing. If you've ever parked on the side of a slope, then you know there is a right way and wrong way to set up your skis so you don't move. Yup, you got it. She had them positioned the wrong way.

Steep slopes are not forgiving, even during embarrassing moments. Without warning, the woman found herself skiing backward, out-of-control, racing through the trees, somehow missing all of them, and into another slope. Her derriere and the reverse side were still bare, her pants down around her knees, and she was picking up speed all the while.

She continued on backwards, totally out-of-control, creating an unusualvista for the other skiers. The woman skied, if you define that verb loosely, back under the lift and finally collided violently with a pylon. The bad news was that she broke her arm and was unable to pull up her ski pants. At long last her husband arrived, put an end to her nudie show, then went to the base of the mountain and summoned the ski patrol, who transported her to a hospital.

In the emergency room she was regrouping when a man with an obviously broken leg was put in the bed next to hers.

"So. How'd you break your leg?" she asked, making small talk.

"It was the darndest thing you ever saw," he said. "I was riding up this ski lift, and suddenly I couldn't believe my eyes. There was this crazy woman skiing backward out-of-control down the mountain with her bare bottom hanging out of her clothes and pants down around her knees."

"I leaned over to get a better look and I guess I didn't realizehow far I'd moved. I fell out of the lift."

"So, how'd you break your arm?"

Golf Accident

Two women were playing golf one sunny Saturday afternoon. The first of the twosome teed off and watched in horror as her ball headed directly toward a foursome of men standing on the tee box on the next fairway.

Sure enough, the ball hit one of the men He immediately clasped his hands over his crotch and fell to the ground in agony.

The woman rushed over to the man and began to apologize. "Please allow me to help," she begged. "I'm a professional physiotherapist and I can quickly relieve your pain."

"No, I'll be okay, just give me a minute," he said, as he rolled on the ground in the fetal position, still clasping his hands over his crotch.

The woman persisted, and insisted she could help, so the man finally agreed.

She gently took his hands away from his crotch and laid them at his side. Then, she loosened his pants and began to gently massage his privates.

"Does that feel better?" she asked.

"It feels great," he said, "but my thumb still hurts like a bitch."

Golf

Toward the end of the golf course, Fred had hit his ball into the woods.

Harry, his prrtner laughed and poked fun, but then somehow managed to hit his ball into the woods, just a few yards beyond.

Instead of just continuing the game, he took his club and thrashed every single buttercup in that patch looking for his ball.

All of a sudden, in a flash and puff of smoke, a little old woman appeared. she said, "I'm Mother Nature! Do you know how long it took me to make those buttercups? Just for that, you won't have any butter for your popcorn for the rest of your life...better still; you won't have any butter for your toast for the rest of your life...as a matter of fact, you won't have any butter for anything for the rest of your life!" Then POOF!.she was gone.

After Fred got hold of himself, he hollers for his friend, "Harry, Harry, where are you?

Harry yells, "I'm over here in the pussy willows."

Fred screams back... "DON'T SWING!!! FOR GOD'S SAKE, DON'T SWING!!

Golfing couple

A man walks into an emergency room with a golf club wrapped tightly around his throat. Naturally the doctor asks him what happened. "Well, let me explain," said the man. "I was having a quiet round of golf with my wife when she sliced her ball into a field of cows. We went to look for it and while I was rooting around, I noticed one of the cows had something white at its rear end. I walked over and lifted up the tail and sure enough, there was my wife's golf ball...stuck in the middle of the cow's butt. That's when I made the fatal mistake."

"What did you do?" asks the doctor.

"Well. I lifted the tail and yelled to my wife, "Hey honey, this looks like yours!"

Good sportsmanship

At one point during a Little League game, the coach called one of his 7 year-old baseball players aside and asked, "Do you understand what cooperation is, son? And what a team is?"

The little boy nodded in the affirmative.

"Do you understand that what matters is whether we win or lose together as a team?"

The little boy nodded yes.

"So," the coach continued, "I'm sure you know, when an out is called, you shouldn't argue, curse, attack the umpire, and call him a pecker-head. Do you understand all that?"

Again the little boy nodded.

He continued, "And when I take you out of the game so another boy gets a chance to play, it's not good sportsmanship to call your coach a dumb a**hole, is it?"

Again the little boy nodded.

"Good," said the coach. "Now go over there and explain all that to your mother!"

Athletic quotes

"I'm going to graduate on time, no matter how long it takes." -- Senior basketball player at the University of Pittsburgh

"Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein." -- Football commentator and former player Joe Theismann 1996

"You guys line up alphabetically by height. You guys pair up in groups of three, then line up in a circle." -- Bill Peterson, a Florida State football coach

Clemson recruit Ray Forsythe, who was ineligible as a freshman because of academic requirements: "I play football. I'm not trying to be a professor. The tests don't seem to make sense to me, measuring your brain on stuff I haven't been through in school."

Boxing promoter Dan Duva on Mike Tyson hooking up again with promoter Don King: "Why would anyone expect him to come out smarter? He went to prison for three years, not Princeton."

Stu Grimson, Chicago Blackhawks left wing, explaining why he keeps a color photo of himself above his locker: "That's so when I forget how to spell my name, I can still find my #%@# clothes."

Shaquille O'Neal on whether he had visited the Parthenon during his visit to Greece: "I can't really remember the names of the clubs that we went to."

Shaquille O'Neal, on his lack of championships: "I've won at every level, except college and pro."

Lou Duva, Veteran boxing trainer, on the Spartan training regime of heavyweight Drew Golota: "He's a guy who gets up at six o'clock in the morning regardless of what time it is."

1981 -- Tommy Lasorda , Dodger manager, when asked what terms Mexican-born pitching sensation Fernando Valenzuela might settle for in his upcoming contract negotiations: "He wants Texas back."

1966 -- Darrell Royal, Texas football coach, asked if the abnormal number of Longhorn injuries that season resulted from poor physical conditioning: "One player was lost because he broke his nose. How do you go about getting a nose in condition for football?"

1981 -- Mike McCormack, coach of the hapless Baltimore Colts after the team's co-captain, offensive guard Robert Pratt, pulled a hamstring running onto the field for the coin toss against St. Louis: "I'm going to send the injured reserve players out for the toss next time."

1991 -- Steve Spurrier, Florida football coach, telling Gator fans that a fire at Auburn's football dorm had destroyed 20 books: "But the real tragedy was that 15 hadn't been colored yet."

1986 -- Jim Finks, New Orleans Saints G.M., when asked after a loss what he thought of the refs: "I'm not allowed to comment on lousy officiating."

1991 -- Alan Kulwicki, stock car racer, on racing Saturday nights as opposed to Sunday afternoons: "It's basically the same, just darker."

1996 -- Lincoln Kennedy, Oakland Raiders tackle, on his decision not to vote: "I was going to write myself in, but I was afraid I'd get shot."

1991 -- Jim Colletto, Purdue football coach and former assistant at Arizona State and Ohio State, on his 11-year-old son's reaction after he took the job with the Boilermakers: "He said: 'Gosh, Dad, that means we're not going to any more bowl games."

1998 -- David Weeda, New York City Marathon Participant, explaining to friends why he was the toughest runner in the entire field: "I was the only runner who, during training, still smoked, dipped and drank up until the night before the race. Damn I'm tough."

1986 -- LaVell Edwards, BYU football coach and one of 14 children: "They can't fire me because my family buys too many tickets."

1991 -- Frank Layden, Utah Jazz president, on a former player: "I told him, 'Son, what is it with you? Is it ignorance or apathy?' He said, 'Coach, I don't know and I don't care."

1991 -- Torrin Polk, University of Houston receiver, on his coach, John Jenkins: "He treats us like men. He lets us wear earrings."

1987 -- Shelby Metcalf, basketball coach at Texas A&M, recounting what he told a player who received four F's and one D: "Son, looks to me like you're spending too much time on one subject."

1992 -- Pat Williams, Orlando Magic general manager, on his team's 7-27 record: "We can't win at home. We can't win on the road. As general manager, I just can't figure out where else to play."

1982 -- Chuck Nevitt , North Carolina State basketball player, explaining to Coach Jim Valvano why he appeared nervous at practice: "My sister's expecting a baby, and I don't know if I'm going to be an uncle or an aunt."

Chicago Cubs outfielder Andre Dawson on being a role model: "I wan' all dem kids to do what I do, to look up to me. I wan' all the kids to copulate me."

New Orleans Saint RB George Rogers when asked about the upcoming season: "I want to rush for 1,000 or 1,500 yards, whichever comes first."

And, upon hearing Joe Jacobi of the 'Skins say: "I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl, " Matt Millen of the Raiders said: "To win, I'd run over Joe's Mom, too."

Top 10 Caddy comments

# 10 Golfer: "Think I'm going to drown myself in the lake."

Caddy: "Think you can keep your head down that long?"

# 9 Golfer: "I'd move heaven and earth to break 100 on this course."

Caddy: "Try heaven, you've already moved most of the earth."

# 8 Golfer: "Do you think my game is improving?"

Caddy: "Yes sir, you miss the ball much closer now."

# 7 Golfer: "Do you think I can get there with a 5 iron?"

Caddy: "Eventually."

# 6 Golfer: "You've got to be the worst caddy in the world."

Caddy: "I don't think so sir. That would be too much of a coincidence."

# 5 Golfer: "Please stop checking your watch all the time. It's too much of a distraction."

Caddy: "It's not a watch -- it's a compass."

# 4 Golfer: "How do you like my game?"

Caddy: "Very good sir, but personally, I prefer golf."

# 3 Golfer: "Do you think it's a sin to play on Sunday?"

Caddy: "The way you play, sir, it's a sin on any day."

# 2 Golfer: "This is the worst course I've ever played on."

Caddy: "This isn't the golf course. We left that an hour ago."

AND the #1 best caddy comment -- -

Golfer: "That can't be my ball, it's too old."

Caddy: "It's been a long time since we teed off, sir."

Cycling in Iowa

by steve - 2005-05-11 ( culture / sports / cycling ) [html version]

It's over, for me, anyway. I rode two days in and that was enough. As I expected, it was nice to ride with 10,000 other cyclists and the party-like attitude of the riders and the people in the towns was really nice. The problem was that it took place in Iowa. I was glad that when I rode, it was overcast, had head winds, and occasional rains. Otherwise it would have been hot, muggy, and unbearable.

Nothing ever dried off or cooled down. Sure it was nice to be able to wake up at 4 am and have it only 70 degrees for packing up camp and heading out on the road by 5 am in the dark, but that meant it would end up about 90 degrees and be so humid that no clothes ever dried off. Then I decided to ride sort of slow to see what festivities were along the way in the towns to not arrive at the end destination in the middle of the day. The end towns had booths for food and bike equipment as well as some other activities, but I was too busy trying to leave to really see it all.

I was lucky that somebody else decided to quit the ride and that they were heading through Des Moines, so they could drop me off there. Then I took a bus to Osceola, IA, where I took the train back home.

"There's no place like home," said Dorothy!

Here I am in Kingsley, 30 miles from the start on the first official day but my second day of cycling, and further on where fresh ice cream was made and served. (Click/tap image at top for full-size version.)

Sports Page

by bill - 2008-01-09 ( culture / sports ) [html version]

Soccer

• Bleacher Report -- Soccer
• ESPNFC
• FIFA
• Football.com
• Goal.com
• MLS Soccer
• Soccer News
• Sporting News -- Soccer
• US Soccer.com
• US Soccer Players

• Breeders Cup
• Horse Racing on Yahoo
• Belmont Stakes
• Preakness Stakes
• Kentucky Derby
  • DRF: Derby Watch
  • First Saturday in May movie

• MLB
• NBA
• NFL
• NHL

Kentucky Derby (2008)

by admin - 2008-05-01 ( culture / sports / horse-racing / triple-crown ) [html version]

Here's a list of possible starters for next week's Kentucky Derby: Derby 2008.

The experts are divided between Big Brown, Colonel John and Pyro as their picks. You can see their picks on that page, above. You can also see all the horses' recent race results. Pyro was the overwhelming favorite until he finished 10th in the Blue Grass last time out, behind Monba. I like Big Brown because he has such a long stride, he blew past everyone and won the Florida Derby last time out. Of course, the same can be said of Colonel John, who won the Santa Anita Derby. Florida Derby winners just seem to do better in the Kentucky Derby for some reason.

Make Your Own Sports Drink

by admin - 2010-04-02 ( life / health / food ) [html version]

... for a fraction of the cost. This is the one thing that kills our food budget, but we keep buying it because my back muscles seem to need the electrolytes to keep from spasming.

At least, that's what I've convinced myself of. I've been battling back problems since 1996, and this is just part of the routine I've settled into.

Anyway, I've finally decided to make my own. Basically, it boils down to water, sugar, Kool-Aid, juice and salt. Here's a link to more detailed recipes: food.com/search/gatorade or here: food.com/recipe/homemade-gatorade-93652

Giants Win

by bill - 2010-11-05 ( culture / sports ) [html version]

For the first time in my lifetime, the S.F. Giants have won the World Series!

And they did it on my birthday!

Adding to my joy was seeing George W. Bush in the background, clearly unhappy.

Zenyatta Lost

by bill - 2010-11-12 ( culture / sports / horse-racing ) [html version]

Zenyatta lost by half a head!

This is the Breeder's Cup Classic I'm talking about.

I thought she was hurt or something the way she ran dead last, 20 lengths behind.

Then she came out of nowhere and would have won with two more strides, but it was too late.

It figures the horse who beat her is named Blame.

Fox Shoots Hunter in Belarus

by admin - 2011-01-20 ( culture / sports / hunting ) [html version]

Hooray for the fox!

"A wounded fox shot its would-be killer in Belarus by pulling the trigger on the hunter's gun as the pair scuffled after the man tried to finish the animal off with the butt of the rifle ..."

Read, listen or watch the rest here: Fox "shoots hunter" in Belarus

Events at Mpact Sports

by admin - 2011-03-08 ( culture / sports ) [html version]

For those in middle Tennessee: Events at Mpact.

Elizabeth used to go here for gymnastics.

They are a great bunch of people.

Kentucky Oaks & Derby (2011)

by admin - 2011-03-17 ( culture / sports / horse-racing / triple-crown ) [html version]

Kentucky Oaks & Derby (2011)

Time to start watching the races leading up to the Kentucky Derby so I have a clue who to bet on on Derby Day, May 7th.

2011 Kentucky Oaks & Derby May 6 and 7, 2011 Tickets, Events, News.

Brisnet Top 10 Kentucky Derby Contenders (2011)

by admin - 2011-05-03 ( culture / sports / horse-racing / triple-crown ) [html version]

Brisnet Top 10 Kentucky Derby Contenders

Here's the current year's: Kentuckyderby.com/horses/leaderboard

Surfer Catches Biggest Wave, Ever, Off Portugal

by admin - 2012-05-17 ( culture / sports ) [html version]

Surfer catches 'biggest wave ever' off PortugalSurfer catches 'biggest wave ever' off Portugal (video)

Kentucky Oaks & Derby (2013)

by admin - 2013-03-27 ( culture / sports / horse-racing / triple-crown ) [html version]

2013 Kentucky Oaks & Derby May 3 and 4, 2013 Tickets, Events, News.

Time to start watching the Derby "prep" races so you can at least make an educated guess/bet on Derby Day!

Road to the Triple Crown (2013)

by bill - 2013-04-04 ( culture / sports / horse-racing / triple-crown ) [html version]

The Triple Crown 2013 -- ESPN.

I always try and follow these preludes to the Kentucky Derby so that I have at least an educated guess on Derby Day.

Kentucky Derby-related Pages (2013)

by admin - 2013-05-01 ( culture / sports / horse-racing / triple-crown ) [html version]

Where to keep up or catch up on the upcoming Derby:

• espn.go.com/horse-racing/triplecrown2013/
• Kentuckyderby.com/horses
• hrtv.com/2013-Kentucky-derby/
• bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/triple-crown
• and possibly tvg.com/

Derby Results (2013)

by admin - 2013-05-10 ( culture / sports / horse-racing / triple-crown ) [html version]

Florida Derby winner Orb won today's Kentucky Derby in "the slop." But you've probably already heard/read about it. My pick, Revolutionary, finished 3rd. That was better than my picks have done in other years. It's a good thing I didn't places any bets ... as usual. Gambling almost never works for me. When I play the lottery -- not often -- I am amazed at how "not even close!" my numbers are.

Golden Soul was second. Normandy Invasion looked like a winner at the top of the stretch, but faded to fourth. Rosie Napravnik's horse Mylute, finished fifth.

That's it for my sports report. Watch/read your local news for a real report.

Travers Stakes (2013)

by bill - 2013-08-29 ( culture / sports / horse-racing ) [html version]

Several big name horses in it this year:

• Verrazano, Haskell winner
• Palace Malice, Belmont and Jim Dandy winner
• Orb, Kentucky Derby winner

And here's a listing of ALL the races at Saratoga.

The Travers is Race 12.

Good Start

by bill - 2013-09-14 ( culture / sports / football ) [html version]

The NFL got off to a good start today (2013-09-10), the first real games of the season. Both of my teams, the Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers, won! The Titans were a surprise over the Steelers. The Niners won "as expected" even though they were playing the Packers. Normally, I'd be rooting for the Packers, but not against either of the above teams.

I'm going to assume from all of this -- mark my words! -- the Titans will play the 49ers in the Super Bowl... someday!

UPDATE: And it almost happened in 2020 (2019 season). The Titans lost in the AFC championship game, just one game away from the Super Bowl, which the 49ers lost to the Chiefs after leading most of the game.

Mucho Macho Man Grooves to His Song

by admin - 2013-11-13 ( culture / sports / horse-racing ) [html version]

Breeder's Cup Classic winner Mucho Macho Man grooves to his song. It was apparently removed (probably due to copyright issues), but here's the horse winning that race, and the Village People singing that song, anyway!

Hollywood Park, What a Run It Had

by admin - 2013-12-27 ( culture / sports / horse-racing ) [html version]

Today (December 22, 2013) is the last day of racing at Hollywood Park before it's torn down. It's sad, but that part of town has been "the 'hood" for several decades now, so it's no surprise no one wanted to go there.

I worked there once, briefly, with the harness horses. It was back in the 80's, and it was not during a race meet, but just a place to stable the horses between meets.

from Hollywood Park: What a run it had!

"Once there was a very special racetrack, a bold, proud, brassy sporting palace of lakes, flowers, and an exotic species known as the goose girl, conjured up by movie moguls, frequented by celebrities, beloved by the masses. It was the place to see or be seen, whether you were a celebrity, a political figure, an industry titan, horse owner, or racing fan."

California Chrome, a Horse of a Uniting Color

by admin - 2014-06-10 ( culture / sports / horse-racing ) [html version]

Here's hoping he wins! The race is tomorrow, Saturday, late afternoon Eastern time, usually on NBC.

They have a 77-year-old trainer who thought his big-time days were over, and a jockey who grew up afraid of horses.

They pulled California Chrome's name out of Coburn's cowboy hat. If not for the luck of the draw the horse could have been named Seabisquick.

California Chrome a horse of a uniting color

World Cup 2014

by bill - 2014-06-18 ( culture / sports / soccer ) [html version]

I love World Cup soccer ("football/futbol" to most of the world), so life is good now with all the games on. I'm ticked at ABC/ESPN for limiting all USA games to ESPN, which I can't see because we don't subscribe to cable TV. Of course, they do that to force people like me to subscribe, which I won't do. If I could get just a one-month subscription, I might do that, but I don't think that's available. Guess I'll be going to a restaurant or bar for those games.

Right now, it's Colombia vs. Greece on ABC. I don't care who wins, so long as it's a good game. I hate how so many of these players are diving drama queens, acting like they've been shot or punched, falling to the ground in "agony," when the replay shows that they weren't even touched. [in foreign accent, choose one], "His shoelace grazed my shin! I cannot bear the pain!"

But otherwise, I love the game, and these games in particular. Go USA #USMNT #1N1T on Monday against the team that's become their arch-rival, Ghana!

UPDATE: I'm able to watch England vs. Italy on ESPN3/WATCHESPN, so I'm hoping I can do the same when the US team plays.

Parents Code of Ethics

by bill - 2014-08-06 ( culture / humor / sports ) [html version]

Signing my daughter up for softball, I had to laugh at this (stripped down) Parents Code of Ethics:

• I will encourage good sportsmanship
• I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my child ahead of my personal desire to win.
• I will remember that the game is for the youth -- not adults.

I guess they got sick of parents yelling and screaming and getting into fights!

UPDATE: I ended up being fairly obnoxious, myself, out there on the sidelines. You really do get caught up in it when it's your kid on the field.

American Racehorse, Cigar, Dies at Age 24

by admin - 2014-10-13 ( culture / sports / horse-racing ) [html version]

Sad news. He was one of the greats. We saw him in retirement at Kentucky Horse Park several years ago.

"The two-time United States horse of the year won 16 consecutive races during 1995 and 96, including the inaugural Dubai World Cup. Cigar eventually retired in 1996 after earning his owners $9,999,815, a record at the time -- he had been suffering with arthritis for the last six months. Directors at the Kentucky horse park said they were "heartbroken to lose this great horse."

Pictures from the above-mentioned trip

~ ~

Read, listen or watch the rest here: Cigar, American racehorse, dies at age of 24.

The Road to the Kentucky Derby (2015)

by admin - 2015-05-02 ( culture / sports / horse-racing / triple-crown ) [html version]

The 20 three-year-olds to make the starting gate in the Kentucky Derby are determined by the Road to the Kentucky Derby, a series [of] races leading up to the Derby where contenders can earn points. Follow the leaderboard to see who will make the starting gate on the first Saturday in May.

Source: The Road to the Kentucky Derby

It's that time of year again!

I'm picking Carpe Diem, but I'm usually wrong.

American Pharoah Vs. Secretariat, Who Would Win?

by bill - 2015-06-15 ( culture / sports / horse-racing ) [html version]

Interesting!

The 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah ran the sixth-fastest Belmont Stakes ever, but if he was racing against Secretariat's record time in 1973, he would have been a distant second. Watch the two races side-by-side.

Source: American Pharoah vs. Secretariat: Who Would Win?

No More Penalty Shootouts

by bill - 2015-07-09 ( culture / sports / soccer ) [html version]

I'm a huge soccer fan, but absolutely hate penalty shootouts. That is no way to decide a game. The winning team needs to be determined by playing the game, not through penalty kicks.

That's like deciding an American football game by having five or six players from each team line up and kick field goals at the end of the game, or deciding a basketball game through a predetermined number of free throws by each team at the very end. It's just stupid. Yes, there's drama and suspense in a penalty shootout, but it's a stupid kind of drama. It detracts from an otherwise "beautiful game."

The way to solve this is through a couple of key changes with the offsides and substitution rules. There should be no more offsides except inside the 18 yard line (penalty box). That should help produce more goals during the game. To help the goalie, there will be no one other than the goalie allowed in the goal box except on corner kicks.

Got that? No offsides except inside the 18 yard line. No one but the goalie inside the goal box (6 yard box) except on corner kicks. For a diagram of a soccer field, click here.

If it's still tied (a draw) at the end of regulation time, unlimited substitutions will be allowed in extra time, like hockey does throughout the game. They will play the game forever, like every other sport does, until someone ends up on top.

For fun, even the coaches can play if necessary to fill up a team (side). These changes will create a lot more scoring, as well as obviate the need for the dreaded penalty shootout.

You're welcome. And, apparently, Stefan Frei agrees with me.

"Even if penalties did help him win a title last year, Frei said he's never been much of a fan of ending matches with a shootout, even if he did understand the reason for them on Tuesday. "I think it's one of the most horrible ways to end a team sport," he said. "I said that even when I was at the other end against Toronto. Somebody is going to have to be the one that misses and then that's not what football for me is really about, but the spectacle for the fans I guess."

I hate diving, too, but that's a whole 'nother story! :)

My English Premier League Team

by bill - 2017-01-14 ( culture / sports / soccer ) [html version]

Trying to decide which English Premier League team I should consider "my team." Very important. Leaning toward either Liverpool FC (because I always liked the Beatles) or Plymouth Argyle Football Club (because my first car was a Plymouth, and I always liked the idea of Argyle socks but was never brave enough to wear them). Anyway, these two are playing right now on FS1 as I type this.

Going out for coffee (in the icy weather). I hope to have made my decision by the time I return. Wish me luck!

UPDATE: Turns out, Plymouth Argyle never were a Premier League team, just a British team in one of the lower-level leagues. I don't know what they were even doing playing each other. [League Cup?] Anyway, I chose Liverpool, and now (2019) they'll be in their second consecutive UEFA Champions League final.

UPDATE: Even though Liverpool is doing great this season (2019-20) again, I just can't get behind them for some reason. So, I have decided to choose the Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) as my team. For one, my daughter loves wolves. Secondly, the coach and several players are Portuguese, and I am half Portuguese. So, Wolves, it is.

The Rainbow Ends in Sacramento

by bill - 2019-02-15 ( culture / photography / humor / sports ) [html version]

The rainbow really does end in Sacramento! My nephew Milan has captured proof. :) This was taken at their minor league team, Sacramento Rivercats, stadium where Milan works.

Speaking of Sacramento, here's a list of famous people from there (because we know you were wondering):

• William Arthur Holmes (not famous, actually)
• Chris Hayes (co-writer with Huey Lewis)
• More here
• Several more here
• Everyone else

Derby this Saturday

by admin - 2019-05-05 ( culture / sports / horse-racing / triple-crown ) [html version]

Here are my picks for Saturday's Kentucky Derby: WIN -- Cutting Humor (because I have that); PLACE -- Country House (because I want that); and SHOW -- War of Will (because I'm going through that with our daughter).

USMNT Fan-Preferred Roster

by bill - 2019-11-25 ( culture / sports / soccer ) [html version]

Who do you want playing right now for the US Men's national soccer team (assuming everyone's available) for a hypothetical must-win game?

VOTE HERE

I like this lineup, here.

NFL Conference Championship Games

by admin - 2020-01-20 ( culture / sports / football ) [html version]

For the first time ever, I actually like all four of the teams left on "the road to the Super Bowl": Titans v. Chiefs -- Sunday at 3:05 PM EST; and, Packers v. 49ers -- Sunday at 6:40 PM EST. The Titans are my current team (since I live near Nashville); I have always liked the Chiefs and Packers, for some reason; and the 49ers used to be my team when I lived in California.

Kentucky Derby Postponed

by admin - 2020-03-31 ( culture / sports / horse-racing / triple-crown ) [html version]

This is a first, as far as we know. No, we didn't research it. We don't do a lot of research here. :) Anyway...

"The 146th Kentucky Derby will be rescheduled from May 2, 2020 to September 5, 2020."

Read, listen or watch the rest here kentuckyderby.com

Belmont Stakes to Be Run First in Triple Crown this Year

by admin - 2020-06-25 ( culture / sports / horse-racing / triple-crown ) [html version]

"Horse racing fans will not be denied the Triple Crown this year, even though the order of races will be different. Instead of having the Kentucky Derby, which will take place on Sept. 5, kick off the Triple Crown schedule, the series will begin on Saturday with the 2020 Belmont Stakes. This year's race is shorter than usual, as it will be 1-1/8 miles in length as opposed to the traditional 1-1/2. The 2020 Belmont Stakes post time at Belmont Park is scheduled for 5:42 p.m. ET."

Read, listen or watch the rest here: BelmontStakes.com. These are the entrants. Still more here.

Kentucky Derby (2020)

by admin - 2020-08-10 ( culture / sports / horse-racing / triple-crown ) [html version]

"Thousand Words" upset Honor A. P. in the Shared Belief Stakes on Saturday at Del Mar and got a Beyer Speed Figure of 104, all of which prompted Marty McGee of Daily Racing Form to cut his odds to 12-1 from last week's 50-1 on his line for the Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5. "Art Collector," scheduled to run Sunday in the Ellis Park Derby, is now the second choice on McGee's line at 5-1, behind the acknowledged favorite, "Tiz the Law," who starts Saturday in the Travers at Saratoga. "Tiz the Law" is currently 2-1 on McGee's Derby line. Two horses who will face him on Saturday -- "Shivaree" and "South Bend" -- are the two newcomers to this week's Derby Watch top 20 list, which has had trouble filling out the bottom slots in recent weeks. McGee has both at 50-1."

Read, listen or watch the rest here: drf.com/news/kentucky-derby-whos-hot-whos-not-aug-5-2020

Harness Racing Legend, Billy Direct

by bill - 2020-10-11 ( culture / sports / horse-racing / harness-racing ) [html version]

[Updated: 2020-12-05 09:23:21]

I just learned that a harness racing legend, Billy Direct, was born near where I live. I just thought that was pretty cool. See Billy Direct. It says his time was "1:44" but in fact it was 1:55.

I don't know if it's a typo on that website or the marker itself, but I emailed the Tennessee Historical Commission notifying them of the correct time (just in case). I won't hold my breath. :)

The world record, even today, is "only" 1:46.

Here's a YouTube video about Billy Direct.

UPDATE: It is a typo on the web page. I finally stopped along the side of the road and read the sign. They have the correct time on there.

More info on him and his famous father/sire here and here

ANOTHER UPDATE: And now I have spotted another one in Spring Hill!. This one, Star Pointer, was born in 1898 and was the first harness horse to break the two-minute mile barrier. I had no idea this was such a hotbed of harness racing talent early in the 20th Century.

Breeders Cup 2020

by admin - 2020-11-12 ( culture / sports / horse-racing / breeders-cup ) [html version]

The Breeders Cup is happening today! And yesterday, but we missed that. Today is the big day, anyway. I am really looking forward to the Classic, the final race. Some big names.

Read, listen or watch the rest here: breederscup.com

The complete order of finish and payoff was:

1. Authentic $10.40 $5.40 $4.20
2. Improbable $4.80 $3.20
3. Global Campaign $8.80
4. Tacitus
5. Maximum Security
6. Tiz the Law
7. Title Ready
8. By My Standards
9. Tom's d'Etat
10. Higher Power

Now It (NFL) Gets Good

by bill - 2021-01-09 ( culture / sports ) [html version]

[Updated: 2021-01-12 03:21:27]

The post-season is better than the regular season in any sport, and the NFL is no different. Check out this page and you will see the match-ups for this coming weekend (Jan. 9/10, 2021).

I predict two out of three home teams (Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks) will win on Saturday, and the same on Sunday.

Washington is the home team only because they "won" this year's worst division in football, and did it with a losing record. It makes me laugh to read that the NY Giants are complaining about not qualifying. When you have a losing record, you have no business in the playoffs in the first place!

The Bears will never beat the Saints in New Orleans (probably have never this century). I hope the Browns can beat the Steelers (a team I have never liked) for the second week in a row, but doubt they can. And, I hope my Titans can beat the Ravens but expect them to blow it somehow and let the Ravens get even for their surprise loss in Baltimore last season.

UPDATE: And now I see the Titans game is on ESPN, a channel I don't get. Oh well, they always lose when I watch, anyway. Maybe this is a good thing. :)

Bike Trail Coast-To-Coast Across America

by admin - 2021-01-11 ( culture / sports / cycling ) [html version]

[Updated: 2021-01-12 11:30:50]

"More than 80 miles of the Great American Rail-Trail are in development right now across 10 states from Washington, D.C., to Washington state, adding roughly 50 miles to more than 2,000 miles of pre-existing trails across 12 states. The project, which bridges about 95 gaps between more than 145 trails, promises a multi-use cross-country trail that stretches more than 3,700 miles."

Read, listen or watch the rest here: bike-trail-coast-to-coast-across-america

UPDATE: Here is the original/source website: railstotrails.org

"Picture yourself... pedaling across the entire country on a safe, seamless and scenic pathway -- or walking a local trail that connects along historic routes. Imagine the incomparable experience of exploring America's heritage by trail -- its potential, its beauty and bounty, its people and places. Consider the economic opportunities and the benefits for communities along the route of a multiuse trail that stretches more than 3,700 miles between Washington and Washington. Learn more about the vision of the Great American Rail-Trail."

Now, this is a True Sports Hero

by admin - 2021-04-16 ( culture / sports / baseball / hero ) [html version]

"A line drive foul ball hits a four year old boy in the head at Fenway. Jim Rice, realizing in a flash that it would take EMTs too long to arrive and cut through the crowd, sprang from the dugout and scooped up the boy. He laid the boy gently on the dugout floor, where the Red Sox medical team began to treat him..."

Kentucky Derby 2021

by admin - 2021-05-06 ( culture / sports / horse-racing / triple-crown ) [html version]

[Updated: 2021-05-15 15:37:35]

Well, the First Saturday in May has come and gone, and all I can say is I am glad I could not get the online betting to work. I would have lost it all. I never let myself get out of control, but did have a $100 allowance.

Online gambling has never been legal in Tennessee until late last year (October, 2020?), so I thought I might do a little wagering. But, no. The internet gods had other plans.

Anyway, an unknown little horse by the name of Medina Spirit won the race... barely holding off the late charge of Mandaloun, Hot Rod Charlie and the favorite, Essential Quality, at the wire. Great finish!

Medina Spirit's trainer, however, is not unknown. It was none other than Bob Baffert, who is now the all-time champ of Kentucky Derby wins with 7, surpassing the late great Ben Jones from a couple of generations ago.Click here for a real article on the subject.

UPDATE: HOLD ALL TICKETS! Apparently, Medina Spirit failed the after-race drug test. Baffert has been suspended by Churchill Downs and the horse might be removed as winner, with everyone else moving up one place. Mandaloun would be declared the winner. I hope for Mandaloun's sake his owner was already planning on running in The Preakness, the next leg of the Triple Crown.

Minnesota Vikings fan still, Doug?

by bill - 2021-09-21 ( culture / sports / politics ) [html version]

I still watch international soccer, but have to turn it off when I see that no fans are allowed into the stands; or, worse, when they have fake crowd noise. That one kills me. So fake, both of which were worst in England. But I think that was only last year. All of the 'leisure' industries (sports, entertainment, travel) seem to be the worst enablers/enforcers of this worldwide farce. I guess it's because they're so completely at the mercy of various government regulations and hand-outs, so they have to play along?

Sent: Monday, September 20, 2021 12:23 AM

Not a fan whatsoever of any sports team. It's been 18 months since I turned on the TV.

Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2021 9:01 PM

I'll watch out of curiosity.

Super rich people don't mind playing God if they get the chance. After all, they have nothing more to aspire to. So if they can get some result they think it smart by stoking fires here and there, it's all justified in their warped thinking. Don't know if that's what some owner was doing, but they probably think they will be part of the elite who will run the world once the great reset comes into being.

Hateful NFL Owner Donates to Antifa

Kentucky Derby 2022

by bill - 2022-05-07 ( culture / sports / horse-racing / triple-crown ) [html version]

Who You Got-

The First Saturday in May is this weekend. Place your bets! I like 3, 12, 13, 6, in that order, but will probably hedge my bets (no pun intended) and play that as a four-way exacta box so it doesn't matter which order they finish.

Post - Horse - Trainer - Jockey - Morning Line Odds

All-Black Climbing Team Makes History Reaching Top of Everest, Inspiring Diverse Adventurers

by bill - 2022-05-28 ( education / news / sports ) [html version]

That's great, but who cares what color they are?

"This month, seven members of an all-Black mountain climbing team summited Mount Everest, helped along by eight Sherpa guides. Even though hundreds line up to climb Everest every year, only ten Black people have surmounted the highest peak on Earth before, including only one Black..."

Read, listen or watch the rest here

ChatGPT Answer to Question About Kentucky Derby

by admin - 2023-05-02 ( culture / sports / horse-racing / tech ) [html version]

Me: "Who is the most likely winner of the upcoming Kentucky Derby?"

ChatGPT: "At this time, it is difficult to predict the most likely winner of the upcoming Kentucky Derby as the race has not yet taken place."

You don't say! Thanks for nothing! It can predict stocks but not horses?

Why Is the U.S. Women's Soccer Team Hated?

by admin - 2023-08-15 ( culture / sports / soccer / women ) [html version]

For me, it's because they have no class or sportsmenship.

"According to many, the team's players have distinguished themselves as prima donnas who feel entitled..."

Read, listen or watch the rest here

The Kentucky Derby: A Gateway to Immortality

by Copilot - 2024-04-23 ( culture / sports / horse-racing ) [html version]

Prompted and edited by Bill

The Kentucky Derby, often referred to as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports," is not just a race; it's a tradition steeped in history. Since its inception in 1875, the Derby has become the first jewel in the coveted Triple Crown of horse racing, a feat achieved by only a select few of the finest thoroughbreds.

The Run for the Roses, as it's affectionately known due to the lush blanket of 554 red roses awarded to the winner, is the youngest of the Triple Crown races. It's a spectacle of fashion, mint juleps, and the thunderous roar of the crowds at Churchill Downs, but most importantly, it's a test of speed, endurance, and the unyielding spirit of the competing horses.

Among the pantheon of champions, there are those who have not only claimed victory at the Kentucky Derby but have gone on to etch their names in the annals of history by winning the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, securing the elusive Triple Crown. These equine legends include the likes of Justify, who, in 2018, battled through the fog and a muddy track to triumph, becoming the 13th Triple Crown winner and only the second to achieve this without a prior race as a two-year-old.

The journey to Triple Crown glory is arduous and rare. Since Sir Barton first captured the title in 1919, only a dozen others have followed. The 1970s saw three champions -- Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed -- each with their own unique story of triumph. Secretariat's record-breaking performance in 1973 remains the standard by which all others are measured, his blazing speed over the Belmont Park dirt still unmatched.

The 21st century welcomed two more Triple Crown winners after a 37-year drought: American Pharoah in 2015, ending the longing of horse racing enthusiasts, and, as mentioned, Justify in 2018. Both horses, trained by the legendary Bob Baffert, reminded the world of the excitement and awe that the Triple Crown inspires.

As we approach the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, we reflect on the rich history and the horses that have become more than just champions--they've become legends. The Derby is not just the first step towards the Triple Crown; it's a celebration of the spirit of horse racing, a testament to the bond between jockey and steed, and a moment where legends are born and immortality is just a furlong away.

For those who have witnessed the triumphs of these magnificent creatures, the Kentucky Derby is a reminder that greatness is within reach, and every year brings the promise of a new champion to capture our hearts. Who will be the next to join the ranks of these immortal champions? The answer awaits at the hallowed grounds of Churchill Downs.

Here are some notable contenders and their odds for this year's renewal on May 4:

• Fierceness: The future book favorite, with odds at 3-1, after dominating the Florida Derby by a staggering 13½ lengths.
• Sierra Leone: The Blue Grass Stakes champion, not far behind, with odds at 7-2.
• Catching Freedom: Winner of the Louisiana Derby, priced at 8-1.
• Forever Young: A Japanese invader with odds at 10-1.
• Dornoch: Hero of the Fountain of Youth Stakes, rounding out the top five choices in the 20-horse 2024 Kentucky Derby field.

Anything can happen on the first Saturday in May!

Reigning Champions of Major U.S. Sports

by admin - 2024-06-27 ( culture / sports / winners ) [html version]

... as of June 23, 2025

Kentucky Derby		MLB		MLS		NBA		NFL		NHL
Sovereignty		L.A. Dodgers		L.A. Galaxy		Oklahoma Thunder		Philadelphia Eagles		Florida Panthers

Current Standings in Major U.S. Sports Leagues

All-in-One List · Kentucky Derby and Breeders Cup Classic Winners

EU vax passports

by steve - 2024-09-15 ( education / research ) [html version]

.

On Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 01:30:43 PM PDT, someone wrote:

https://www.bitchute.com/video/FT2QAShfIMcf But this isn't limited to Europe. Check out what new York State is planning. By the way, Trump is all on board for digital ID in the name of honest voting. Once that's implemented, a flip of the switch will lock you out of your bank grocery store, etc. For the people who are still so blind not to see this agenda, I pity you. I haven't looked at the video yet but NY has proved they're INSANE. January 1, 2025 the psychopaths who want to rule the world will require travellers show their vaccine passport. Until these monsters are ripped out of power, I have no plans to leave this country.

2024 Breeders Cup a Week Away

by bill - 2024-10-26 ( culture / sports / horse-racing / breeders-cup ) [html version]

Just one more week until this year's Breeders' Cup, this time at Del Mar. They rotate its location every year. Last year it was at Santa Anita, but has also been held at Keeneland, Churchill Downs, even Monmouth, Belmont, Lone Star, Aqueduct and Canada's Woodbine. I'm sure they'd like to spread it out to even more venues, but racetracks are limited by their respective states as to when they can be open.

The inaugural event was in 1984 at Hollywood Park, near Los Angeles, which no longer exists. The track, that is!

Anyway, I love this. Horse racing is one of my favorite sports -- ever since helping my sister as a kid as an assistant groom with the harness horses -- though I've never had much luck gambling. Still, I always set aside a token amount I can afford to lose, just to make it more interesting.

Speaking of which, I've settled on TwinSpires as my go-to betting app. Again, not because I've had much luck, but it's the most user-friendly. I've used NYRA Bets and DRF Bets, too.

Here's a list of all recent Breeders' Cup Classic and Kentucky Derby Winners. And, here is last year's winner at Santa Anita, White Abarrio.

Yankees Aaron Judge and Dodgers Shohei Ohtani win MLB MVP awards

by admin - 2024-11-22 ( education / news / sports ) [html version]

"Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge were named MVP of the National League and American League, respectively, MLB announced Thursday...."

Read, listen or watch the rest here

Kentucky Derby 2025 is Today

by bill - 2025-05-03 ( culture / sports / horse-racing ) [html version]

The Kentucky Derby is today! I know I'm excited. Are you excited?!

I like the following horses (jockey, trainer) in the following order: 8 Journalism (Umberto Rispoli, Mike McCarthy); 21 Baeza (Flavien Prat, John Shirreffs); 18 Sovereignty (Junior Alvarado, Bill Mott); 7 Luxor Cafe (Joao Moreira, Noriyuki Hori).

Here's the complete list of entries (minus numbers 4 (Rodriguez) and 10 (Grande), who scratched, plus 21 (Baeza) who will now be running): All entries in post position order.

Here's last year's photo finish , and Rich Strike (80-1 longshot) winning it in 2022 and completely ruining my superfecta (first four finishers) .

The 2025 Belmont Stakes: Journalism vs. Sovereignty in a Thrilling Rematch

by Copilot - 2025-06-04 ( culture / sports / horse-racing / triple-crown ) [html version]

Prompted and edited by Bill

Horse racing fans are in for a spectacular showdown this Saturday as Journalism, Sovereignty, and Baeza face off once again in the 157th running of the Belmont Stakes. With the Kentucky Derby winner (Sovereignty) and Preakness Stakes champion (Journalism) both in the field, the race promises fierce competition and a battle for supremacy in the final jewel of the Triple Crown.

The Contenders, Their Trainers, and Jockeys

Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, has proven his resilience, bouncing back from a second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby to claim victory in the Preakness Stakes. McCarthy, based primarily in California, has a reputation for preparing horses to peak at the right moment, and Journalism's strong finish at Pimlico suggests he's ready for another big run. Rispoli, an Italian-born jockey, has made a name for himself in the U.S. with his tactical riding and ability to navigate tight finishes.

Sovereignty, under the guidance of Bill Mott, secured a thrilling Kentucky Derby victory but skipped the Preakness Stakes to focus on the Belmont. Mott, a Hall of Fame trainer based in New York and Kentucky, is known for his patient approach, ensuring his horses are well-rested and primed for major races. Sovereignty will be ridden by Junior Alvarado, a Venezuelan jockey who has been a dominant force in New York racing and recently secured his first Triple Crown race victory aboard Sovereignty in the Derby.

Baeza, trained by John Shirreffs and ridden by Flavien Prat, has been a consistent performer, finishing third in the Kentucky Derby and second in the Santa Anita Derby. Shirreffs, a veteran trainer based in California, has a knack for developing late-blooming horses, and Baeza could be poised for a breakout performance. Prat, a French jockey, has won multiple Triple Crown races and is known for his ability to time his finishes perfectly.

The Belmont Is at Saratoga Again

For the second consecutive year, the Belmont Stakes will be held at Saratoga Race Course instead of its traditional home at Belmont Park. Ongoing renovations at Belmont Park have made it necessary to shift the race to Saratoga Springs, New York. While Belmont typically hosts the longest race of the Triple Crown at 1-½ miles (12 furlongs), Saratoga's track dimensions have altered the distance to 1-1/4 miles (10 furlongs), matching the Kentucky Derby.

The shorter distance could favor horses with strong early speed, potentially benefiting Journalism, who has shown an ability to close fast in shorter races. Meanwhile, Sovereignty, who skipped the Preakness to stay fresh, may have the stamina advantage.

The Stakes Are High

With $2 million in prize money on the line and eight horses competing, the 2025 Belmont Stakes is shaping up to be an electrifying event. Will Journalism continue his winning streak? Can Sovereignty reclaim his dominance? Or will Baeza surprise everyone with a late charge?

Horse racing fans won't want to miss this epic rematch this Saturday.

See also: Derby and Breeders Cup winners of the past and/or All horse racing-related articles.

All-in-One List of Sports Results

by admin - 2025-07-19 ( culture / sports / winners / list ) [html version]

Year/Season, Event, Winner, Runner-Up, Result/Time

2025, Kentucky Derby, SovereigntySovereignty (Junior Alvarado), JournalismJournalism, 2:02.31

2025, Royal Ascot Gold Cup, Trawlerman (William Buick), Illinois, 4:15.02

2025, UEFA Champions League, Paris Saint-GermainParis Saint-Germain, Inter MilanInter Milan, 5–0

2025, Preakness Stakes, JournalismJournalism (Umberto Rispoli), Gosger, 1:54.88

2025, Stanley Cup, Florida PanthersFlorida Panthers, Edmonton OilersEdmonton Oilers, 4–2

2025, US Open (Golf, Men), JJ SpaunJJ Spaun, Robert MacIntyre, 1-stroke

2025, NBA Finals, Oklahoma City ThunderOklahoma City Thunder, Indiana PacersIndiana Pacers, 4-3

2025, Belmont Stakes, SovereigntySovereignty (Junior Alvarado), JournalismJournalism, 2:00.69

2025, French Open (Tennis, Women), Coco GauffCoco Gauff, Aryna SabalenkaAryna Sabalenka, 6–7(5–7), 6–2, 6–4

2025, Wimbledon (Tennis, Men), Jannik Sinner, Carlos AlcarazCarlos Alcaraz, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4

2025, Club World Cup, ChelseaChelsea, Paris Saint-GermainParis Saint-Germain, 3-0

2025, Wimbledon (Tennis, Women), Iga SwiatekIga Swiatek, Amanda Anisimova, 6-0, 6-0

The History of Kentucky Downs

by Copilot - 2025-09-05 ( culture / sports / horse-racing ) [html version]

Prompted and edited by Bill

Nestled in the rolling hills of Franklin, Kentucky -- just a stone's throw from the Tennessee state line -- Kentucky Downs is one of the most distinctive horse racing venues in North America. Its story begins not with thoroughbreds, but with pistols.

The land on which Kentucky Downs sits was once known as the Sandford Duncan farm, infamous in the 1800s as a dueling site. Because dueling was illegal in Tennessee but permitted in Kentucky, this sliver of land became a magnet for settling scores. Even Sam Houston, the famed statesman, reportedly took part in a duel here. Though the last known duel occurred in 1827, the legacy lingered. When the racetrack opened in 1990, it was fittingly named Dueling Grounds Race Course.

The original track was designed for steeplechase racing, and its inaugural meet featured the $750,000 Dueling Grounds International Hurdle -- still the richest steeplechase purse in American history. But the venture was turbulent. Financial mismanagement, legal battles, and missed racing meets plagued its early years. By 1997, the track was sold at auction to a consortium including Turfway Park and Churchill Downs. The new owners renamed it Kentucky Downs, hoping to shed the stigma of its troubled past.

What makes Kentucky Downs truly unique is its European-style turf course. Unlike the standard oval dirt tracks common in the U.S., Kentucky Downs features an irregular kidney-shaped layout with undulating terrain -- rises, dips, and turns that challenge both horse and rider. It's exclusively turf, and flat racing eventually replaced steeplechase as the primary draw, though steeplechase events have made periodic returns.

In the early 2000s, the track began to find its footing. The introduction of the Kentucky Cup Turf Festival, including the Grade III Kentucky Cup Turf, helped elevate its profile. But the real turning point came in 2007, when Nashville businessman Ray Reid and racetrack veteran Corey Johnsen acquired majority ownership. Their vision was bold: transform Kentucky Downs into a premier racing destination while supporting local economic development and Kentucky's breeding industry.

Under their leadership, the track flourished. Purses ballooned, with average daily payouts reaching over $1.5 million. Stakes races like the Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup and the Ladies Turf Stakes became marquee events. The meet, held annually in September, is now one of the richest in the country relative to its short duration.

Today, Kentucky Downs is more than a racetrack. It's a symbol of resilience and reinvention -- a place where history, geography, and sport converge. From its dueling past to its turf racing present, it stands as a testament to the idea that even the most unconventional paths can lead to greatness.

Whether you're a racing purist or a casual fan, Kentucky Downs offers something rare: a track that honors tradition while embracing innovation. And in the world of horse racing, that's a winning combination.

This year's Mint Millions (G3T) has drawn a deep and turf-savvy field. Here are the top contenders based on recent form, course affinity, and trainer intent:

Leading Contenders

Lagynos

Trainer: Steve Asmussen; Jockey: Jose Ortiz; Credentials: Just crushed the Tapit Stakes on opening day with a course-record time. Asmussen is wheeling him back quickly, confident in his affinity for the undulating Kentucky Downs turf.

Goliad

Trainer: Richard Mandella; Jockey: Flavien Prat; Credentials: Won the Mint Millions last year and the Sticker Mule Overnight Handicap. Loves firm ground and this course, though recent form has dipped.

Brilliant Berti

Trainer: Cherie DeVaux; Credentials: Won the Gun Runner Stakes at Kentucky Downs and the Wise Dan Stakes (G2T) this summer. Comes in with sharper form than Goliad.

Spirit of St Louis; Trainer: Not listed; Credentials: Dual Grade 1 winner in 2025. Looking to rebound from a couple of lackluster efforts at Saratoga.

Cairo and Point Lynes both bring European turf experience, which could be a tactical edge on Kentucky Downs' unique layout. Lagynos and Brilliant Berti seem most aligned with firm-ground performance and recent velocity.