Rowe, Jackson Named Indoor Track & Field Athletes of the Year
FRISCO, Texas – Lamar’s Jordan Rowe and Northwestern State’s Natashia Jackson are the 2020 Southland Conference Indoor Track & Field Men’s and Women’s Athletes of the Year, respectively, the league announced Friday. In addition to the indoor superlative award winners, the first-, second- and third-team all-conference student-athletes were announced. Southland Conference Athletes of the Year are presented by Ready Nutrition.Rowe and Jackson were awarded Athlete of the Year honors after leading the men’s and women’s indoor championships as the event’s Most Valuable Performers (MVP). Rowe racked up 22 points and a pair of first-place finishes in the mile and (4:12.52) and 3,000-meter (8:26.46) events. Jackson compiled an astounding 27.5 points, while breaking meet records in the 200m and 400m races.Southeastern Louisiana’s Corey Mistretta led the Lions to the men’s team championship and was awarded the Southland Men’s Coach of the Year. Stephen F. Austin’s Phil Olson was once again named the Women’s Coach of the Year after guiding the Ladyjacks to their second-straight team title.Southland Conference indoor track & field superlatives are nominated and voted upon by the league’s head coaches. Voting for oneself or one’s own athletes is not permitted. All-Conference distinction is given to the first-, second- and third-place finishers in each championship event final.For athletes that achieved qualifying marks this season, the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships will be a two-day event hosted at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, N.M., March 12-14.The 2020 Southland Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be hosted by Abilene Christian May 15-17 in Abilene, Texas.Men’s Outstanding Running Events Performer – Jordan Rowe, Sr., Lamar Rowe stamped an impressive performance at the Southland indoor championships, leading the pack in both the mile and 3,000m races. The senior nabbed first team all-conference honors and has now won the mile and 3,000m events at the Southland Indoor Championships for two consecutive years.Men’s Outstanding Field Events Performer – Branson Ellis, So., Stephen F. AustinStephen F. Austin’s Branson Ellis captured a meet record in the pole vault event at the indoor championships this week, clearing the bar with an 18-05.25 (5.62m) mark on just his second jump. Ellis captured first-team honors with the jump and currently holds the Southland Indoor pole vault record with a 19-00.25 (5.80m).Men’s Freshman of the Year – Tyler Richardson, Fr., Abilene ChristianAbilene Christian’s Tyler Richardson took first place overall with a 56-01.75 (17.11m) toss in the shot put. The freshman took home the gold in the shot put with a personal-best mark in addition to a fifth-place finish in the weight throw (56-11.25/17.35m).Men’s Newcomer of the Year – Johnathon Sawyer, Jr., Southeastern LouisianaSawyer was electric for the newly crowned Lions, taking first place in the 200m (20.99) and 400m (46.23) events. His 400m time set a new Southland indoor meet record, giving the Lions two of their four gold medals for the event.Men’s Athlete of the Year – Jordan Rowe, Sr., LamarRowe also nabbed Athlete of the Year honors with his spectacular performance for the Cardinals. The senior has now won titles in each of his appearances at the Southland Indoor Track & Field Championships.Men’s Coach of the Year – Corey Mistretta, Southeastern LouisianaMistretta led the Lions to their first team championship since the 2014 indoor season. His team put up 99 points to lead the standings by a 12-point margin.Women’s Outstanding Running Events Performer – Natashia Jackson, Sr., Northwestern StateJackson rewrote the record books at the indoor championships, taking first place in the 200m (23.50), 400m (53.25) and 4x400m Relay events for the Lady Demons. The senior’s 400m title performance also set a Southland Conference indoor track record.Women’s Outstanding Field Events Performer – Jasmyn Steels, Sr., Northwestern StateSteels, the reigning NCAA indoor long jump national champion, claimed the Southland long jump title this past weekend with a 20-05.75 (6.24m) mark. The senior needed just three attempts to claim the gold and also added a silver medal in the triple jump event (41-05.25/12.63m).Women’s Freshman of the Year – Sierra Temple , Fr., Central ArkansasCentral Arkansas’ Sierra Temple burst onto the scene for the Bears, taking second place in the 200m event with a 24.00 mark. The freshman also registered a personal best 7.52 in the preliminary round of the 60m dash.Women’s Newcomer of the Year – Arina Kleshchukova, Jr., New OrleansArina Kleshchukova took home first place in the women’s 5,000m race with a time of 16:56.92, a personal record for the newcomer. She also took part in the 3,000m and distance medley relay events for the Privateers.Women’s Athlete of the Year – Natashia Jackson, Sr., Northwestern StateJackson was crowned the Athlete of the Year after an impressive overall showing for the Lady Demons at the indoor meet. The senior erupted with stellar anchor-leg performance in the 4x400m relay that pushed the NSU team to a first-place finish.Women’s Coach of the Year – Phil Olson, Stephen F. AustinOlson once again claimed the Women’s Coach of the Year honors after pushing the Ladyjacks to a team title. He has now won the award in each of the past two seasons.2020 Southland Conference Men’s Indoor Track & Field All-Conference Teams Pole Vault Kaylee Bizzell, SFA AnnMarie Broussard, NSU Mackenzie West, ACU Pole Vault Branson Ellis, SFA Hudson Hall, HBU Carter Scott, SFA Triple Jump Tylen Guidry, LU Chris Welch, HBU Quindarrius Thompson, NSU Shot Put Tyler Richardson, ACU Marco Arevalo, NSU Cobe Graham, SHSU 400m Natashia Jackson, NSU Imani Nave, SFA Hailey Alcorn, NICH Mile Jordan Rowe, LU Andrew Bosquez, SHSU Shea Foster, SLU 2020 Southland Conference Women’s Indoor Track & Field All-Conference Teams Pentathlon Kaitlin Smith, HBU Mathilde Coquillaud-Salom, SFA Parl Eelma, LU 5,000m Arina Kleshchukova, UNO Valentina Campos, AMCC Claire Crone, SFA Mile Kelsey Ramirez, SFA Alia Henderson, UIW Tamara Reeves, UCA 800m LaSean Davis, SFA Brianna Nolen, SFA Ivette Alcantar, UIW High Jump Slavko Stevic, SLU Jeremiah Gilliam, UIW Asani Hylton, SFA Event First Second Third Triple Jump Lauren Clarke, NSU Jasmyn Steels, NSU Malaiya Jedkins, MCN Event First Second Third Weight Throw Alanna Arvie, MCN Jemira Thomlinson, HBU Kristin McDuffie, NSU 800m Matthew Hernandez, UIW Christos Zachariou, HBU Alex Hanson, UCA 60m Hurdles Mathilde Coquillaud-Salo, SFA Janiel Moore, NSU Omo Oboh, NICH 400m Johnathon Sawyer, SLU James Benson II, SLU A.J. Bennett, SFA
60m Zachary Jewell, UCA Joshua Raphael, MCN Jo’Vaughn Martin, SHSU 60m Sierra Temple, UCA Taylor Tolen, ACU Lynelle Washington, NSU 4x400m ACU: A. Williams, R. Linton, B. Brownlow, J. Williams SFA: A. Callahan, D. Sankey, J. Garcia, A. Bennett SHSU: E. Woods, C. Brown, J. Austin, J. Smith 200m Jo’vaughn Martin, SHSU Zachary Jewell, UCA Johnathon Sawyer, SLU Heptathlon Colton Cohea, AMCC Scott Boon, HBU Riccardo Klotz, SLU Long Jump Markeit Steverson, NSU Zachary Johnson, SHSU Aaron Worrell, UNO Long Jump Jasmyn Steels, NSU Shaynea Redmond, SHSU Dreunna Washington, MCN 3,000m Jordan Rowe, LU Grant O’Callaghan, SLU Max Nores, UCA 200m Natashia Jackson, NSU Ajah Criner, UCA Imani Nave, SFA 5,000m Gideon Cheplak, MCN Matthew Arnold, LU Isaac Vargas, AMCC DMR SFA: L. Davis, D. Carr, N. Kabongo, K. Ramirez SLU: T. Stuntz, J. Patterson, L. Hutcheson, S. Daigle AMCC: A. Girard, A. Bustamante, Q. Johnson, V. Campos High Jump Lauren Clarke, NSU Nissi Kabongo, SFA Zoe Spinn, ACU DMR SLU: S. Foster, G. Coleman, A. Cordero, G. O’Callaghan LU: E. Peveto, C. Joseph, M. Arnold, J. Rowe MCN: A. Gilliam, T. Banks, L. Horgan, J. Croft 3,000m Kelsey Ramirez, SFA Gracie Hyde, UCA Valentina Campos, AMCC Weight Throw Trenton Bridges, SFA Jacob Mechler, ACU Vojislav Gvero, UNO Shot Put Annina Brandenburg, ACU Alanna Arvie, MCN Danielle Lorenz, UNO 60m Hurdles Darion Dunn, MCN Joshua Smith, SHSU Timor Barrett, AMCC 4x400m NSU: J. Moore, J. Fields, E. Wilson, N. Jackson SFA: I. Nave, C. Burch, M. Coquillaud-Salomon, N. Kabongo UIW: E. Sebastion, A. Brathwaite, R. Miles, D. Keys
FAVORED CONQUEST TSUNAMI COMPLETELY DOMINANT AS HE ROLLS GATE TO WIRE TO POST 4 ¼ LENGTH WIN UNDER VAN DYKE; TRAINED BY MILLER, HE GETS 6 ½ FURLONGS DOWN HILLSIDE TURF IN 1:11.02ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2019)–In a completely dominant performance, owner Gary Barber’s Conquest Tsunami made every pole a winning one as he cruised to a 4 ¼ length victory in Sunday’s $70,000 Clockers’ Corner Stakes under Drayden Van Dyke. Trained by Peter Miller, the 7-year-old Stormy Atlantic gelding got 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:11.02, which is just a quarter second off of the track record of 1:10.73.“My first time on him,” said Van Dyke. “Pete said to try and make the lead. I watched film and know that last time on the hill, Cistron (today’s runner-up)…went ding-dong with him on the lead and they went a little faster than I did today.“Today, I was able to get an easy lead, well not necessarily easy, but when he’s able to be alone he relaxes better, puts his ears up, and then he kicks on better.”Most recently third in the Grade II Palos Verdes Stakes going six furlongs on the main track Jan. 19, Conquest Tsunami, who is out of the El Corredor mare Classic Neel, was off as the 7-5 favorite as he returned to turf in a field of nine older horses and paid $4.80, $3.40 and $2.80.A winner of the Grade III Daytona Stakes over the course on Feb. 24 of last year, Conquest Tsunami now has three wins from five tries down the hill. With the winner’s share of $43,620, he now has earnings of $783,031 and an overall mark of 30-9-4-5.“His time was awfully fast!” said Miller. “He liked that one week turn around. He was doing so well, Gary Barber and I, we’re not afraid to do that with the right horse, right situation, and sound horse. If (the horse) has lots of energy and feels good, let’s go!”In a race that saw the one-two-three finishers run in that exact order throughout, Cistron held Eddie Haskell at bay by 1 ¼ lengths. Ridden by Tyler Baze, Cistron was off at 11-1 and paid $8.80 and $5.20.Eddie Haskell was never challenged for third money and held sway by two lengths over Secretary At War. Off at 5-1 with Kent Desormeaux up, “Eddie” paid $4.60 to show.Fractions on the race were 21.06, 42.65 and 1:04.90.
$495,164 VICTOR ESPINOZA TO RESUME RIDING ON MONDAY $237,205 4 20% Mike Smith53 $833,819 (Current Through Thursday, Feb. 14) 3rd 24% ITM% 12% 21 9 SELCOURT SET TO DEFEND TITLE IN SANTA MONICAJohn Sadler expects further progress from Selcourt in Saturday’s Grade II Santa Monica Stakes after the fleet mare finished second as the 3-10 favorite in the restricted Kalookan Queen Stakes on Jan. 13, her first race in more than two months.“The Santa Monica looks like a strong race but she’s doing really well,” the trainer said of the front-running daughter of Tiz Wonderful, who defeated Marley’s Freedom in winning last year’s Santa Monica wire-to-wire by 4 ½ lengths.“She had her comeback race (in the Kalookan Queen); she didn’t win, but she ran second, came out of it good, and looks like she’s moving forward, so hopefully she’s returning to her form of 2018.”Tyler Baze has ridden Selcourt in every one of her eight career races, but rides Escape Clause in the Santa Monica. Her jockey in the Santa Monica will be Joe Talamo.As for Horse of the Year runner-up Accelerate, retired to stud in Kentucky after finishing third in the $9 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 26, Sadler said the son of Lookin At Lucky is enjoying life as a stallion at Lane’s End, where he stands for $20,000.“He’s already got a full book of 170 mares,” Sadler said. “He’s doing great. When he first got there it was really cold, but he’s settled in nicely.”The field for the Santa Monica, race nine of 10 with a 12 noon first post time: Paradise Woods, Joel Rosario, 7-2; Selcourt, Joe Talamo, 3-1; Marley’s Freedom, Drayden Van Dyke, 2-1; Dream Tree, Mike Smith, 4-1; Mopotism, Mario Gutierrez, 12-1; Escape Clause, Tyler Baze, 6-1; and Amuse, Rafael Bejarano, 12-1.VICTOR ESPINOZA BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN MONDAYVictor Espinoza is scheduled to resume his career after an absence of almost seven months when he rides Gallantly Streaming for trainer John Sadler on Monday.The 46-year-old Hall of Fame member suffered a fractured vertebra in his neck and a shoulder and arm stinger in a training mishap at Del Mar last July 22.“It’s been a long time coming and it feels like forever,” said his agent, Brian Beach, who also represents Victor’s nephew, top apprentice Assael Espinoza. “It wasn’t like we were looking for a particular race or a particular horse (for his comeback).“The right opportunity came along and hopefully we can build from here.”A three-time Kentucky Derby winner, Espinoza’s popularity went mainstream after winning the Triple Crown on American Pharoah in 2015, prior to a near miss on two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome in 2014.Those achievements ultimately led to network TV appearances on the David Letterman Show and Dancing With The Stars, but now it’s back to Victor’s primary vocation, riding horses.SWEET PREAKNESS DEAL FOR EL CAMINO REAL DERBY WINNERIt’s a longshot and light years away in racing time, but Keith Desormeaux hopes he gets another chance to win the Preakness Stakes starting tomorrow when Knight’s Cross runs in the $100,000 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields.For the first time, Golden Gate’s premier race for three-year-olds will provide the winner with an automatic, all expenses paid berth to the middle jewel of the Triple Crown on May 18 at Pimlico Race Course (in order to qualify, the winner must be Triple Crown-nominated).“Winning a race like the Preakness is what we all work for,” said Desormeaux, who captured the classic in 2016 with Exaggerator. “Right now, my three-year-olds are still developing and hopefully one can make it to a race like the Kentucky Derby or Preakness.”Golden Gate Fields and Pimlico are both owned by The Stronach Group, North America’s largest owner of race tracks which also include Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita Park and Laurel Park.POPULAR STRONACH 5 GUARANTEES $100,000 POOL TODAYThe Stronach 5, which continues to grow in popularity with an industry-low 12-percent takeout, will have a $100,000 guaranteed pool today as the national wager plays hosts to races from Laurel Park, Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields.The Stronach 5 kicks off at 1:10 p.m. PT with the first of two races at Gulfstream. After stops at Santa Anita and Laurel, the final sequence will take place 2:45 p.m. PT at Golden Gate Fields.There were 43 winning tickets last week on The Stronach 5, each returning $4,075.30.Past performances for the Stronach 5 here.Friday’s Stronach 5 sequence:Leg One – Gulfstream, race 8 – (8 entries, six furlongs) 4:10 ET, 1:10 PTLeg Two -Laurel, race 9 – (9 entries, seven furlongs) 4:35 ET, 1:35 PTLeg Three -Santa Anita, race 4 – (7 entries, 5 ½ furlongs) 5 ET, 2 PTLeg Four – Gulfstream, race 11 – (13 entries, 5 ½ furlongs) 5:42 ET, 2:42 PTLeg Five – Golden Gate, race 5 – (10 entries, one mile) 5:45 ET, 2:45 PTFor the Stronach 5, if a change in racing surface is made after the wagering closes, each selection on any ticket will be considered a winning selection. If a betting interest is scratched, that selection will be substituted with the favorite in the win pool when wagering closes.LATEST CONTENT FROM XBTV:My Gal Toots works 3 furlongs (Periban)Eoin Harty talks Royal Insider in Saturday’s El Camino Real at GGFDoug O’Neill Discusses His Runners in Saturday’s El Camino Real at GGFBob Baffert Talks Kingly in Saturday’s El Camino Real at GGFJeff Bonde Talks King of Speed in Saturday’s El Camino Real at GGFGame Winner (Outside) & Dr.Dorr working 5 furlongs (Baffert)-2/13/2019Flor de la Mar in company with Qahira working 5 furlongs (Baffert)-2/13/2019Chasing Yesterday works 6 furlongs (Baffert)-2/13/2019Brill works 5 furlongs (Hollendorfer)-2/13/2019Royal Insider (Outside) & Union Station (Possible El Camino Real Derby)-Harty-2/10/2019Kingly (Outside) & Green Fleet (Both Triple Crown Nominated)-Baffert-2/10/2019Roadster works 5 furlongs(Triple Crown Nominated)-Baffert-2/10/2019 $423,596 8 $783,461 20 16 10 6 9 22% STRONACH 5 TODAY GUARANTEES POOL OF $100,000 26 Doug O’Neill114 18% 56% $808,028 7 20 $134,578 3 15% $879,999 18 Peter Miller78 19 16% 49% $592,240 4 22% 3 4 10 9% 2nd 66% 42% Rafael Bejarano107 5 THIS MONDAY IS PRESIDENTS’ DAY AND DOLLAR DAY 9 16 16% 16% Geovanni Franco129 12 9 57% 16 40% $1,014,965 7 15% 2 19 9% 13 9 Agapito Delgadillo43 32% 15 17 1st $288,405 $786,679 Assael Espinoza80 $403,159 1st 11 14% FINISH LINES: Agapito Delgadillo and his son, Jose, have ridden against each other in a race before, but on Saturday they will compete in an added money event for the first time. Agapito has been named on Lady Suebee for John Sadler and Jose on Painting Corners for Peter Miller in the $70,000 Wishing Well Stakes . . . Jose Leonmakes his Santa Anita riding debut in today’s eighth race aboard 8-1 morning line chance I’ll Wrap It Up. The 20-year-old native of Puerto Rico represented by agent Joe Griffinhas 12 wins, 10 at Turf Paradise and two at Mountaineer Park in West Virginia . . . Jerry Hollendorfer trainee Gold Arrow, Jon White‘s 8-5 morning line favorite in today’s first race, is a half-sister to Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Battle of Midway . . . Platinum Equity, ridden by Ruben Fuentes for trainer Andrew Lerner, became the first three-time winner at the meet this year when he won yesterday’s third race. The filly Apache Princess also won three races at the meet but started her string last year, winning on Dec. 30 for Keith Desormeaux. It was the third win in a row for Lerner and Fuentes with Platinum Equity . . . Monday, Presidents’ Day, will be Dollar Day, with beer and soda available for a buck apiece and hot dogs for $2 . . . This weekend, Santa Anita celebrates Lunar New Year, hosting a Santa Anita first, a Chinese cultural event featuring food and drink, on-site vendors, live lion dancers and musical acts, plus, one lucky fan will win $500 on Santa Anita’s Money Tree. General admission is just $5 . . . The percentage of winning favorites on both dirt and turf this meet are very similar: on dirt, 31.69 (58 of 183), on turf, 30.23 (26 of 86) and overall, 31.23 (84 of 269) . . . Talk about a blanket finish: in last Saturday’s San Marcos Stakes, the 13 runners were separated by less than 11 lengths at the end of a mile and a quarter on turf . . . Apprentice jockey J.C. Diaz Jr.has been suspended three days (Feb. 22, 23, 24) for causing interference aboard Swirling in Sunday’s fifth race . . . Error of omission: Santa Anita-based Diego Sanchezrides Knight’s Cross in tomorrow’s El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields. $363,615 45% 42% 40% 11 Jeff Mullins36 10 56% 14 $1,132,294 8 43% 14% 44% 19% $876,435 28 40% 24% Bob Baffert52 12 $689,074 17 Kent Desormeaux64 12 1 16% 12 15 30% Mark Glatt44 $902,447 7 Tiago Pereira100 19 58% 9 6 Joel Rosario147 ITM% 16% 54% $238,544 Win% $944,191 14 11 $760,436 30 Steve Knapp32 31% JockeyMts $1,704,100 38% 7 17% 33% 13 5 9 7 18 11 5 50% 48% 17 59% 3rd Tyler Baze148 $745,391 42% TrainerMts 11 Richard Mandella30 40% 60% 30 8 12 $301,483 44% 18% 46% $809,538 45% Ruben Fuentes65 7 2nd TRAINER SEEKS ANOTHER RUN AT THE PREAKNESS 12 6 6 Richard Baltas76 $2,057,192 8 42% Win% 8 55% Aaron Gryder37 9 J. Keith Desormeaux41 13% 27 9 William E. Morey44 14% 9 19% SPEEDY SELCOURT SET FOR SALTY SANTA MONICA Drayden Van Dyke94 Simon Callaghan25 45% $176,909 8 6 18% $166,614 Heriberto Figueroa134 10 18% 16 8 27 Flavien Prat134 16 Money Won 21 3 $664,082 23% Peter Eurton33 $257,758 7 6 5 Vladimir Cerin32 21% 9 6 48% Jerry Hollendorfer68 4 5 17% Joseph Talamo97 15% 5 14 $447,393 Philip D’Amato64 John Sadler55 19% 2 Money Won SANTA ANITA STATISTICS 1 5 $300,132 17 Edwin Maldonado45
D’AMATO’S TINY TINA LOOMS LARGE IN SUNDAY’S GRADE III, $100,000 ASTRA STAKES FOR FILLIES & MARES AT 1 ½ MILES ON TURF ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 16, 2020)–Fresh off a heartbreaking nose defeat over the course, trainer Phil D’Amato’s Tiny Tina heads a field of seven older fillies and mares going the marathon distance of a mile and one half on turf in Sunday’s Grade III, $100,000 Astra Stakes at Santa Anita.The Richard Baltas-trained Lostintranzlation, who tired after setting the early pace in the Grade III Red Carpet at Del Mar, will get the first time services of Joel Rosario and rates second billing.Richard Mandella’s long fused Siberian Iris, idle since fourth going a mile and one quarter on turf in the Grade I Rodeo Drive Stakes here Sept. 28, will be ridden back by Rafael Bejarano and she would benefit from a fast early pace on Sunday.TINY TINAOwner: A. Venneri Racing, Inc. & Anthony FanticolaTrainer: Phil D’AmatoA 5-year-old mare by Paddy O’Prado who was bred in-part in Kentucky by Alex Venneri, Tiny Tina took a stutter-step leaving the gate in the Grade III Robert J. Frankel Stakes but was comfortably in hand while last at the rail heading into the Club House turn, rallied three-deep turning for home under Javier Castellano and made the lead well inside the sixteenth pole, but her stablemate Mirth re-rallied to her inside and denied “Tiny” the victory at 1 1/8 miles on turf. A respectable fifth two starts back in Del Mar’s Grade III Red Carpet Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf, Tiny Tina, who like the rest of the field is trying a mile and one half for the first time, should be very tough if her closing kick is as effective at the Astra distance.LOSTINTRANZLATIONOwner: Aaron Hesz, Denis Hendrickson & Jerry McClanahanTrainer: Richard BaltasA 6-year-old California-bred mare by Lucky Pulpit, Lostintranzlation showed the way to mid-way on the far turn in the Red Carpet at Del Mar prior to tiring to finish seventh, beaten 10 ¼ lengths at odds of 3-1 over a turf rated as “good.” With her connections hoping for firm footing on Sunday, her front-running style could prove more effective with leading man Rosario taking over.SIBERIAN IRISOwner: Calumet FarmTrainer: Richard MandellaFourth, beaten 6 ¾ lengths by multiple graded stakes winning Mirth in the Grade I, 1 ¼ mile turf Rodeo Drive Stakes here on Sept. 28, Irish-bred Siberian Iris rallied from far back to win the CTT/TOC Stakes two starts back at 1 3/8 miles on turf Aug. 16 at Del Mar and would obviously benefit from a hot pace in the Astra. Although she’s won only three of her 18 starts, Siberian Iris, a 6-year-old mare, is the leading money earner in the field with $234,727.THE GRADE III ASTRA STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDERRace 6 of 8 Approximate post time 3 p.m. PTLostintranzlation–Joel Rosario–120Tiny Tina–Flavien Prat–120Blue Diva–Abel Cedillo–122Trust Fund Kitty–Assael Espinoza–120Siberian Iris–Rafael Bejarano–122Ms Peintour–Brice Blanc–120Heathers Grey–Aaron Gryder–120First post time for an eight-race card on Sunday is at 12:30 p.m., with admission gates opening at 10:30 a.m. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.
HONOR A.P. BREEZES FOR SANTA ANITA DERBY TRUE VALOUR SEEKS TRUE TRIP IN SHOEMAKER WONG HAS FILLY RIGHT FOR GRADE I GAMELY
TRUE VALOUR DUE FOR BETTER LUCK IN SHOEMAKERIf it weren’t for bad luck in his last four races, True Valour would have had no luck at all.The Irish-bred turf miler trained by Simon Callaghan for Qatar Racing Limited was 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Mile last Nov. 2, steadying past the eighth pole; eighth in the Grade II Joe Hernandez on Jan. 1 after bobbling at the start and going three wide; third in the Grade III Thunder Road on Feb. 8 after steadying early and waiting for room at the quarter pole; and fourth, beaten only a length, in the Grade I Frank E. Kilroe Mile March 7, again bobbling at the start.Next up: Monday’s Memorial Day headliner, the Grade I Shoemaker Mile.“He’s been unlucky, he likes being covered up and having something to run at,” Callaghan said of the six-year-old full horse, who has two graded stakes wins at Santa Anita, the Thunder Road and the City of Hope Mile, both in 2019.“One day he’ll win a big one again.”There couldn’t be one much bigger than the Shoemaker, the first Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In’ Challenge Race in the United States this year, which entitles the nominated winner automatic entry into the 2020 TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland on Nov. 7.The race is named for Bill Shoemaker, who remains the gold standard among jockeys 17 years after his death. In a career of nearly four decades. “The Shoe” won 8,833 races, a number that still resonates today.His first victory came aboard his third mount, Shafter V., a $3,000 claiming filly at Golden Gate Fields April 29, 1949. The last horse he rode was Patchy Groundfog who finished fourth at Santa Anita on Feb. 3, 1990.As good with people as he was on horses, Shoemaker died at the age of 72 on Oct. 12, 2003.True Valour worked five furlongs May 17 in 1:03. “That was his last breeze before the race; he’s ready,” said Callaghan, who also has the ultra-consistent Miss Hot Legs entered Monday in the Grade II Monrovia Stakes at 5 ½ furlongs on turf.“She always seems to run her race,” Callaghan said of the four-year-old chestnut daughter of Verrazano, who has a 2-5-1 record from nine starts. Second by a half-length in the restricted Wishing Well last out, Miss Hot Legs seeks her first stakes win in the Monrovia.The field for the Shoemaker Mile, race nine of 11 with a 12:30 p.m. first post time: Without Parole, Irad Ortiz Jr., 4-1; True Valour, Jose Valdivia Jr., 20-1; Next Shares, John Velazquez, 12-1; Voodoo Song, Mike Smith,12-1; War of Will, Flavien Prat, 4-1; Blitzkrieg, Drayden Van Dyke, 20-1; Majestic Eagle, Jorge Velez, 20-1; Raging Bull, Joel Rosario, 7-2; March to the Arch, Victor Espinoza, 6-1; Neptune’s Storm, Umberto Rispoli, 15-1; and River Boyne, Abel Cedillo, 4-1.The field for the Monrovia, race five: Stealthediamonds, Agapito Delgadillo, 5-1; Oleksandra, Joel Rosario, 3-1; Ginger Nut, Umberto Rispoli, 15-1; Surrender Now, Drayden Van Dyke, 10-1; Miss Hot Legs, John Velazquez, 10-1; Into Mystic, Abel Cedillo, 10-1; Jolie Olimpica, Mike Smith, 8-5; and Just Grazed Me, Flavien Prat, 5-1.VERSATILE KEEPER OFTHE STARS SET FOR GRADE I GAMELYJonathan Wong has made a noteworthy impact on California racing in a relatively short period of time.He began his career as a groom at 16, working for Art (California Chrome) Sherman and Lonnie (early Lava Man) Arterburn. Currently Wong is the runaway training leader at Golden Gate Fields, ahead of runner-up Isidro Tamaya by twice as many wins, 65-32, with more than twice as much in purse earnings, $976,526 to $460,780.A 31-year-old native of San Francisco, Wong went on his own as a trainer in late 2014. He hopes to continue on the road to gold and glory with upstart Keeper Ofthe Stars in Monday’s Grade I, $300,000 Gamely Stakes for fillies and mares, three and up, at a mile and an eighth on turf.A four-year-old gray daughter of Midnight Lute owned by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, Keeper Ofthe Stars registered a major upset last out going a mile on Feb. 22, closing resolutely despite being three wide to capture the Grade II Buena Vista Stakes at 36-1 under Abel Cedillo, who rides her for the seventh time in her last eight races on Monday.“She’s training really well,” Wong said by phone from his Bay Area base. Kristin Mulhall will saddle Keeper Ofthe Stars in the Gamely. “The filly is very versatile,” Wong added. “Whatever comes up she can handle.“Abel knows her well so he doesn’t need much in the way of instructions, just play the break. If she gets an easy lead, let her go. If not, just be outside and stay close like he did in the Buena Vista.”The Gamely, race 11: Etoile, Joel Rosario, 5-2; Ollie’s Candy, Drayden Van Dyke, 4-1; Lady Prancealot, John Velazquez, 6-1; Giza Goddess, Victor Espinoza, 20-1; Mucho Unusual, Umberto Rispoli, 8-1; Simply Breathless, Jorge Velez, 8-1; Beautiful Lover, Irad Ortiz Jr., 5-1; Tiny Tina, Mike Smith, 15-1; Siberian Iris, Jose Valdivia Jr., 15-1; Bodhicitta, Flavien Prat, 12-1; and Keeper Ofthe Stars, Abel Cedillo, 8-1.HONOR A.P. IN BULLET WORK FOR SANTA ANITA DERBYHonor A.P. had his penultimate major workout in advance of the Grade I Santa Anita Derby on June 6, going five furlongs Friday in a bullet 59.20 under regular rider Mike Smith.“It was a good breeze,” trainer John Shirreffs said of the move, fastest of 28 at the distance, the average time of which was 1:01.38.Honor A.P., a three-year-old Honor Code ridgling, was second to undefeated Authentic in the Grade II San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on March 7, beaten 2 ¼ lengths.The two are expected to meet again in the Santa Anita Derby, which will be decided at a mile and an eighth.FINISH LINES: Drayden Van Dyke has been suspended five days (May 29, 30, 31 and June 5 and 6) for causing interference at the start and entering the stretch on Fighting Mad in Sunday’s eighth race.LATEST CONTENT FROM XBTV:WORKOUTS:Storm the Court (inside) and Absolute Unit (Eurton) 5-23-20Thousand Words (Baffert) 5-23-20Oh Pretty Woman (Mullins) 5-23-20Babael (Ellis) 5-23-20Higher Power (Outside) (Sadler) 5-22-20Novella (Bonde) 5-22-20Parsimony (O’Neill) 5-22-20Toinette (Drysdale) 5-22-20Honor A. P. (Outside) and Mobou (Shirreffs) 5-22-20War of Will (Casse) 5-21-20McKinzie (Baffert) 5-21-20March to the Arch (Casse) 5-21-20Raging Bull (Brown) 5-21-20
FORMER Tottenham star Mido is proving he is continuing to go from strength to strength… quite literally.The ex-Premier League striker set new goals last year after being ridiculed for piling on the pounds following an image posted on social media.3 The former striker is piling on the muscle3 Mido is spending his time in lockdown working outThe 37-year-old ballooned following his retirement in 2013 before losing his fat in a year alongside trainer Aly Mazhar.Speaking to the Guardian, he tipped the scales at 150kg (23.6 stone) “and couldn’t walk 30 yards.”But now he is continuing his remarkable body transformation by taking to Instagram to show off his progress.Mido posted a clip of himself lifting weights in his garden alongside a picture of his broad shoulders.Alongside the image, he posted the caption: “Work hard play hard.”After losing the pounds, trainer Mazhar hit back at his critics by writing: “Hitting rock bottom after being recognised as an Egyptian football star and starting your coaching career, getting through surgery, changing your lifestyle and deciding to fully commit to it.”Set your goal, have a plan, follow it and results will just be a matter of time.”Most importantly BELIEVE in yourself, get the right support system around you and don’t listen to all the negative crap around us every single day.”That’s will power and full dedication right there. This is the MIDO we all know. Hats off.”3 Mido ballooned following his retirement in 2013most read in footballTHROUGH ITRobbie Keane reveals Claudine’s father was ’50-50′ in coronavirus battleTOP SELLERGavin Whelan has gone from League of Ireland to David Beckham’s InstagramPicturedAN EYEFULMeet Playboy model and football agent Anamaria Prodan bidding to buy her own clubI SAW ROORodallega saw Rooney ‘drinking like madman’ & Gerrard ‘on bar dancing shirtless’ExclusiveRIYAD RAIDMan City’s Riyad Mahrez has three luxury watches stolen in £500,000 raidNEXT STEPJonny Hayes set to move to English Championship having been let go by CelticREF RELEASEDChampions League ref Vincic released by cops after arrest in prostitution raidKEANE DEALEx Man United youth ace David Jones says Roy Keane negotiated a contract for himNICE RONCristiano Ronaldo goes on family bike ride with partner Georgina Rodriguez & kidsREF RAIDChampions League ref Vincic ‘arrested in raid into drugs and prostitution ring’Mido moved to Spurs on loan in January 2005 and later signed on a permanent contract.He bagged 20 goals in 63 games before moving to Middlesbrough in 2007 and later moving to Wigan in January 2009.Mido’s last involvement in football was as manager of Egyptian side Misr Lel Makkasa.Mido shows off new ripped body in workout after incredibly shedding 8st in a year
Wood, who is also chairman of the Rugby League International Federation, has served on the RFL board since 2001.”I am extremely honoured and privileged to have served as chief executive of the Rugby Football League,” said Wood.”I am an unashamed rugby league fan and can think of no greater honour than to be asked to fulfil the role of CEO for the Rugby Football League.”However, leadership presents many tests, and the greatest of these is to recognise when it is time to step out and this is the right moment to do so.”I would like to place on record my unreserved thanks to the many excellent colleagues, the clubs and all those that I have worked with throughout the last 16 years and wish them the best of luck for the future.”Chief operating officer Ralph Rimmer will act as interim chief executive while the RFL searches for Wood’s successor.RFL chairman Brian Barwick said: “Nigel has been a superb administrator, innovator and advocate for the sport of rugby league in this country.”His range of achievements in the sport speak for themselves and he has brought a genuine love of the game to his work over many years.”His time at the helm of the Rugby Football League will always be looked upon warmly and with great respect.”
Gagai, who was eligible for both teams, represented the Indigenous All Stars between 2015-17 but has chosen to represent another side of his family heritage in the revamped fixture.Fan voting for the two sides that will take part in the Harvey Norman All Stars clash opened on Tuesday, with the NRL asking fans to have their say before coaches take that advice on board and select the two teams that will play for the Arthur Beetson Trophy.Fans are allowed one submission for each team, voting for pre-selected players by their respective position. Voting closes on January 30, with the fans’ teams to be announced the following day. Official team announcements will be made on February 1.NRL Senior Manager of Indigenous Strategy Mark Deweerd said voting is a great way for fans to be involved.”The All Stars event is as much about the community as it is about the game itself,” Deweerd said.”The chance for fans to have an input into the selection of the teams is the only opportunity across the game that allows fans to vote for who they want to see play.”As the teams will spend the week engaging with the local community, it would be great to see both the Victorian community and the broader population get behind the game, to not only celebrate a great game of football showcasing wonderful talent, but enjoy the cultural experience it has to offer as well.”
Clement, 44, has been assistant manager at Bayern Munich to Carlo Ancelotti, with whom he also worked at Chelsea, Paris St Germain and Real Madrid.In his only managerial job, however, the Englishman lasted less than a year at Championship (second tier) Derby County, who sacked him last February.Swansea were reported to have interviewed him before appointing Bradley in October.The American was dismissed just before Christmas, having won only two of his 11 games since taking over from Francesco Guidolin.”Paul has not only worked with some of Europe’s biggest football clubs, but also the very best players in the world,” Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins told the club website (www.swanseacity.net).”There is no doubt in my mind that Paul can not only help us regain that footballing belief, but also restore some much needed pride back into the football club.”Everyone connected to the club is fully behind the appointment and we see this a typical Swansea City choice,” Jenkins added.”It looks a good fit to get us back on track and provide one of the best young coaches in Europe with the chance to develop his own career and become a leading coach in his own right.”Clement will be joined at the Liberty Stadium by Nigel Gibbs as assistant coach and Karl Halabi as head of physical performance. Both arrive from Tottenham Hotspur.Swansea have struggled all season after selling leading scorer Andre Ayew to West Ham United and Captain Ashley Williams to Everton.Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth was their fourth successive loss, leaving them bottom of the table and four points from safety.Clement will attend Tuesday’s match at Crystal Palace, who are three places above them, but first-team coach Alan Curtis will be in charge.Photo: PHOTOSPORT New Swansea boss Paul Clement.
The world number one, Rafa Nadal, has sealed this Saturday the pass of Spain to the final of the ATP Cup, the competition that is gathering in the Australian country to 24 countries, after beating Álex de Miñaur (4-6, 7-5, 6-1) and that Roberto Bautista overwhelmed Nick Kyrgios (6-1, 6-4) at the premiere of the semifinals against Australia, and Novak Djokovic’s Serbia will be the rival for the title.As it happened on Friday in the duel against David Goffin of the quarterfinal against Belgium, in which his opponent subjected him by displaying his extensive repertoire of blows (6-4, 7-6 (3)), the Balearic began hesitantly , and number 18 of the ATP ranking did not miss the opportunity to hit first.Thus, he began the clash with a ‘break’ that he confirmed next to get 2-0, and that marked the first round. Although he had the opportunity to seal another break in the ninth game, De Miñaur waited for the next one to take the partial and force Nadal to react.The equality of the second set, in which blank games were exchanged and both players exhibited their firmness in the service, was only broken in the twelfth and final game, in which Manacor made the ocean run to close, with a right and the rest, his victory in the quarter and the third party dispute. The Spaniard overwhelms Kyrgios and the Balearic traces before De MiñaurDjokovic’s Serbia will be the rival for the title Image: Reuters
It was the mood that the Balearic needed, which since then grew and gave no option to the tennis player of Hispanic-Uruguayan origin. Soon he put the 4-0 and only a double foul allowed De Miñaur to avoid the rapid ‘death’. Another break and confirmation with his service led Nadal to win the match and Spain to the final.In the great duel of fighting for the title they will meet Serbia, which had no problems to beat Canada, Davis Cup finalist, in the other semifinal (3-0). In this way, those of Francis Roig will have the opportunity to join another success to the achievement of the Davis Cup in the Finals of Madrid.Baptist opens with triumph against Kyrgios Previously, Bautista had given Spain the first point after beating Nick Kyrgios (6-1, 6-4). In the Ken Rosewall Arena of Sydney Olympic Park, the Castellon, number ten in the world, began as an exhalation in the duel of numbers two; not once did he have to face ‘break’ balls against him during the first set, which he soon got on track and pocketed in less than half an hour.A setback of the ocean that remained on the net allowed Bautista to rise 5-0 to the scoreboard, after twice breaking the service of ATP 29. Kyrgios stopped the bleeding in the sixth game, but Bautista gave no choice and closed the partial service.The balance took hold of the first games of the second round, until the Spaniard again broke the serve of his rival to put the 3-2, confirmed later in a service in which the Castellón had to defend himself from the only ball of shock breakage.In the ninth game, Kyrgios survived two match balls, but the wound was already deadly; already with his serve, Bautista ended the contest in the first of his two opportunities to sign, in an hour and 21 minutes, his fifth victory in the ATP Cup.Serbia and Djokovic wait in the final World No. 2 Novak Djokovic won the Russian Daniil Medvedev (5th), in three sets (6-1, 5-7, 6-4) on Saturday in Sydney, thus getting a second point for Serbia and the pass to the final of the ATP Cup.His compatriot Dusan Lajovic (34th) won the first single before Karen Khachanov (17th) in two sleeves (7-5, 7-6 (7/1)). Serbia qualified even before the doubles.In the final on Sunday, Djokovic and his countrymen will face Nick Kyrgios’ Australia or Rafael Nadal’s Spain, world number 1, who play the other semifinal of the tournament on Saturday.