Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 101 of 1503)

      Animal Kingdom wins 2011 Kentucky Derby

      May 7, 2011 /
      Jockey John Velazquez gestures while aboard Animal Kingdom after winning the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 7, 2011. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT HORSE RACING)

      Jockey John Velazquez wasn’t even supposed to mount Animal Kingdom on Saturday.

      A day after losing his ride when Uncle Mo was scratched due to a gastrointestinal problem, Velazquez rode Animal Kingdom to victory at the 2011 Kentucky Derby. It was Velazquez’s first career win at the first leg of the Triple Crown, which makes this day even more special for the jockey from Carolina, Puerto Rico.

      Animal Kingdom was a long-shot coming into this week at 30/1. His odds didn’t wavier much, as bettors focused on the favorite Dialed In, the Calvin Borel-mounted Twice The Appeal, and Pants On Fire (who was ridden by 23-year-old Rosie Napravnik, who was hoping to become the first-ever female to win the Kentucky Derby).

      But in the end, Dialed In finished a disappointing eighth after spending much of the race in the rear. Borel never got Twice The Appeal moving either, because the combo finished 10th and Pants On Fire came in ninth.

      A $2 wager on Animal Kingdom paid $43.80 to win, $19.60 to place and $13.00 to show. Nehro finished second and paid $8.80 to place and $6.40 to show, while Mucho Macho Man paid out $7.00 on a $2 wager to show.

      A $2 Exacta on Animal Kingdom and Nehro paid out $329.80, while a $2 Trifecta of Animal Kingdom, Nehro and Mucho Macho man paid out $3,952.40. Finally, a winning $2 superfecta of Animal Kingdom, Nehro, Mucho Macho Man and Shackleford (who lead for most of the race) paid $48,126.00.

      The track announced that 164,858 people attended the race, which set a new attendance record for the Kentucky Derby. It surpassed the previous record crowd of 163,628 set back in 1974.

      External Sports, horse racing

      2011 Kentucky Derby Predictions

      May 7, 2011 /
      Exercise rider Nate Quinonez gallops Kentucky Derby hopeful Twice The Appeal on the track during early morning workouts at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 5, 2011. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT HORSE RACING)

      Listen, I don’t mean to brag but I’m going to anyway.

      I was good last year predicting the Triple Crown – I mean, real good.

      I had Paddy O’prado to place in the Kentucky Derby (he finished third) and Super Saver (the winner) listed as one of the horses to “keep your eye on.” In the Preakness, I hit Lookin’ At Lucky for the win and nailed First Dude to finish in the money, which is noteworthy since he was a 20/1 long shot to open. Finally, in the Belmont, I predicted the top three (Drosselmeyer, Fly Down, First Dude) to finish in the money, although not in the correct order.

      So basically what I’m saying is that if you don’t take my picks today and wager the deed to your house, your wife and/or your dog, that’s just dumb. LET IT RIDE!!!

      I’m kidding – I’m not that arrogant, although I did mange to find some luck last year in my predictions so we’ll see how I fare this year. On second thought, you may want to avoid these three…

      Win: Twice The Appeal (+1000)
      Like I’m going to pass on taking Calvin Borel at Churchill Downs…when he’ll be coming out of the No. 3 post position. Ha! No way. Twice The Appeal has won three of his last four races, with his latest victory coming at the Sunland Derby on March 27. He does seem a little too good to be true, but I have faith in more Borel magic happening today.

      Place: Archacharch (+1200)
      Why isn’t this horse receiving more love? He drew the rail on Wednesday and his odds went from +900 to +1200. Granted, the rail hasn’t produced a winner since 1988 (Winning Colors) but it still has the most victories (12) in Kentucky Derby history. It’s a prime spot and for a horse that is coming off a victory at the Arkansas Derby to be listed at +1200, this feels like a nice value. If it weren’t for Calvin Borel’s magic at Churchill Downs, I would probably peg Archarcharch to win.

      Show: Dialed In (+500)
      Dialed In has been the favorite all week, even though his odds continue to drop. He was listed at +350 on Monday, +300 on Tuesday, and +250 on Wednesday when the post positions were drawn. Now he’s +500, which seems like a great value to me. He won the Florida Derby in his last outing on April 3 and also took first in the Holly Bull earlier this year. The only problem is that he doesn’t have much career experience, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he won the roses on Saturday. He’s a nice-looking horse.

      External Sports, horse racing

      Chargers to pursue Panthers’ WR Steve Smith?

      May 7, 2011 /
      Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (L) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Josh Wilson during an NFL football game in Charlotte, North Carolina November 21, 2010. REUTERS/Chris Keane (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Chargers are “monitoring” the Steve Smith situation in Carolina.

      The Chargers’ interest, according to people with knowledge of the situation, can be characterized as monitoring and wait-and-see. That is comparable to how they went about signing free agent safety Bob Sanders in March, letting other teams woo Sanders before making an offer to a player who wanted to be a Charger.

      Teams are not allowed to conduct player business during the ongoing NFL lockout. But the Panthers were known to be shopping Smith prior to the league’s shutdown on March 11.

      The Chargers landing Smith could be a product of his wanting to play in a good offense, close to his Lynwood, Calif., birthplace coupled with the team’s need for a top-flight receiver.

      Smith has already cleaned out his locker in Carolina, put his house on the market and has let the Panthers know that he would like to be traded to the Chargers, Raiders or Ravens. No word yet on if he plans to burn the words “Trade Me Now” into the grass at Bank of America Stadium, but there are rumors that that is his next step.

      Smith would be a nice addition to San Diego’s offense and he would certainly appreciate working with Philip Rivers, who actually resembles a professional quarterback (unlike the puss that the Panthers have been trotting onto the field over the last couple of years). He would also benefit from playing opposite Vincent Jackson and not worrying about facing constant double-teams because he’s the only playmaker in the offense.

      I’m sure I’ll revisit this story once the owners and players stop fighting over fans money.

      External Sports, NFL

      Redskins the front-runners for Vince Young?

      May 6, 2011 /
      Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young (10) passes against the San Diego Chargers during their NFL football game in San Diego, California October 31, 2010. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      The South Florida South-Sentinel hears that Washington is the front-runners for Vince Young’s services this offseason and Redskins beat writer Rich Tandler has also heard the same thing.

      I’ve concluded Vince Young would be a good option IF the price is right (FREE….once Tennessee cuts him). But that’s ONLY if he’s mentally right, and motivated. Young’s the quarterback that presents the greatest risk, but if you factor in his QB efficiency when healthy last year, and win-loss record, he’s also the young quarterback who presents the most reward.

      Two years ago I banged the drum for the Dolphins to sign Michael Vick and got stoned, so go ahead and throw them….But before you do look up Young’s career stats and win-loss record. I’m hearing the Redskins are the front-runner for his services, so it’ll be interesting to see if the Dolphins get in the game.

      Young supporters can (and probably will) throw his win-loss record at me all they want – I still wouldn’t touch him if it cost me draft picks and $8.5 million next year in order to acquire him from Tennessee. (Not to mention a $4.25 million roster bonus that he’s due this offseason as soon as the lockout lifts.) Sorry, but he’s just not worth it – especially when you consider that Tennessee is going to part with him at some point no matter what.

      It would be a different story if/when he’s released. That’s when you take a flier on a guy with Young’s talent. Obviously he has the skill to play in the league or else he wouldn’t have had the success that he’s found to this point. But it’s clear to anyone who isn’t sucking down glasses of Vince Young Kool-Aid that this guy has some major maturity issues.

      Granted, if you don’t trade for him, you take the risk that he signs with someone else. But in my eyes, he’s just not worth the compensation that a team would have to part with in order to acquire him via trade. Most of the quarterback-needy teams addressed the position in last week’s draft, save for the Skins, Seahawks, Cardinals and Dolphins. Considering Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb could/should also become available once the lockout lifts, I like my chances of acquiring Young if I’m Washington. Therefore, I’m waiting until he’s released before I make my move.

      External Sports, NFL

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