Sox Sweep Dodgers posted by Joe Franciosa, Jr.

Well, at least one team Beat L.A.

Manny, welcome back buddy. I know plenty of fans cheered you, and plenty booed you. I just laughed at you, like I always laugh when I think about you playing left field with a water bottle in your back pocket. Or when you disappeared into the Monster because you apparently drank too much water and couldn't wait. Well, when nature calls... Anyway, I laughed when you slid for a fly ball, missed it, and proceeded to roll on the field until the ball was actually trapped underneath you. Normally I'd be mad at you for embarassing the Red Sox franchise with such ridiculous behavior... but it was part of your play style, and so really you just embarassed yourself, and I laughed. In fact, while remembering all your Manny being Manny moments, I laughed so hard that I had an epiphany of sorts. See, in Boston, we want to win. If we don't win, it better not be from lack of effort. Sacrifice your body. Leave it all on the field... all those cliches. Manny didn't believe in any of that. He worked hard at what he considered his craft, hitting the ball. Fielding the ball was not a priority. Running the bases was not necessarily his forte. No, Manny being Manny was Monster shot homeruns as much as it was RBI producing doubles. We cheered all that. We laughed at his antics. We booed his lack of hustle on the base path. If anything, Manny was the most complete and well-rounded character the Sox have ever sent to the plate. He had his strengths and his foils. Fans booed Manny because of how he left Boston. Why? He didn't want to be here any more. We sure as hell don't want players who don't want to be here. If anything, I'm glad he knew to leave when he did. Look at him now. Ortiz has more home runs, and he started the season batting around .200.

Game 7 Necessary... posted by Joe Franciosa, Jr.

So much for Prophecy. Now we've got a broken Perk and a game 7.  Well, here's game 6...  

Kobe Misses a 3

KG for 2

Kobe for 2

Rondo for 2

Bynum with the hook for 2

Ray for 2 with a tough jumper

Fisher flops and Perk is called for a foul. Least he doesn't get to shoot

Artest misses a 3, Bynum rebounds and misses a hook, ball out, Celtics Ball

Rondo misses a 3 at the end of the shot clock

Artest makes a 3, Lakers go up 1

Perk has his pass intercepted by Fish,

Fish with the Layup

KG misses a tough shot, deflects a pass at the other end and the C's end up with the ball.

Ray loses the ball to Fisher, who throws the ball out of bounds

Ray for 2 and 1!!! Makes it, Tie Score with 8:02 left in the first

Gasol misses an easy shot but gets the benefit of a bullshit foul on Ray Allen. Gasol misses the first but makes the second

RAY ALLEN FOR 3!!!

Kobe for 2 off the jumper

Perk is blocked by Gasol,

Kobe for 2

Rondo fouled by Fisher. Non shooting foul

Ray misses a 3

Kobe for 2...

Bad pass is stolen by Kobe, Gasol with a running layup..

Rondo misses another jumper (why is Rondo taking so many jump shots already?...) Perk is fouled hard on the rebound and is down. We better BREAK Bynum for that. C'mon Perk. Get up Perk. Perk is the Keystone of the Celtics defense. C'mmmmon Perk.

Oh that's not good. That's horrible.

Well, let's go Sheed

KG with the open J

Kobe for 3

KG for 2 off a nice pass to him in the lane

Baseball's a Bust in Chitown posted by richard Kagan

It is early May and already the warning signs are here.  No lead is safe in the 9th inning for the White Sox.  If the Cubs strings hits together, they might win a game.  The Cubs have the pitching that the Sox don't.  Meanwhile Paul Konerko is leading the majors in the early going with 13 homers.  And Alex Rios is living up to his contract, batting .320 and hitting for power. 

If only Beckham and Carlos Quinton would start to hit, the Sox might be a little more competitive.  But blowing a 7-5 lead in the 9th is not the answer.  The White Sox had the game in the bag vs. the Blue Jays the other day, but Bobby Jenks, who pitches like a daredevil on a tightrope, finally got hammered and gave up 4 runs in the top of the 9th.  That's a blown save and a loss.  You can say it is early.  But that is a tough loss period.

The Cubs flounder as if that is their nature.  It seems to be in the team's DNA.  They play well at home and look terrible on the road.  The Phillies play well at home and on the road.  Oh, they're World Champs. That is what good teams do, and the Cubs aren't what you would call a good team.  They show flashes.  That's what lightning does over Lake Michigan.

Maybe they can patch together a winning streak.  They have the pitching.  They have guys who can throw 7 innings. And, the bullpen with Carlos Zambrano, moonlighting there, is stronger.  I'm hoping for a 14 game homestand.  That would put them in the running.  Of course you have to win some games.

No pleasure in reporting horsemen cheating posted by Johnny Matheis

Kentucky is one of the most crooked in the country in most things, Horse racing included. You can't tell by "reports", because a truly corrupt system will not report abuses.

But we knew they would do it for the huge pick six carry over Thursday. And I watched, and found an obvious cheat.

Contrary to belief, it isn't the jockey who is to be watched. They try to stay aboard an animal and hold on for their health. It is the trainer who can "juice up" a horse. "Juicing up" may or may not involve illegal substances, but it involves having a horse ready or not. This is okay, as long as it is not blabbed to all the sports writers, trainers, and hoodlums who bet it down.

In the eighth race, which was the 4th leg of the pick six, CLASSIC EMILY was one that looked to route this group on paper. She figured to go off at 2-1. She already manhandled most of them, and the only real competition looked to be from PROUDLY IRISH, who should have been second choice around 4-1.

In fact, CLASSIC EMILY was probably a KEY horse to most pick six bettors who handicap without the inside dope.

THOMAS AMOSS trained SUN VALLEY STORM, who ran 9th to CLASSIC EMILY just two months ago. Did I say ninth out of nine? While CLASSIC EMILY won? Did I mention that it was the same distance of six furlongs? Did I mention that CLASSIC EMILY beat SUN VALLEY STORM by 19 1/4 lengths, which is roughly 4 seconds, in  six furlongs the difference between Graded Stakes $200,000 competition and horses who run for $3500 claimers?

Now the fact that SUN VALLEY STORM won the race wasn't the crooked part. There are upsets. What is crooked is when SUN VALLEY STORM goes off at 3-1, and CLASSIC EMILY goes off at 4-1.

Oaks and Derby posted by Johnny Matheis

When you work at Keeneland, it doesn't seem like it takes long til Derby arrives.

First, the Oaks day. I'm not keen on Oaks-Derby Doubles. Doubles and pick Threes are for those who rely on dumb luck. Since one juiced up hot tip can beat you out of any win, it involves more luck for pick threes and doubles, and more handicapping for trifectas and superfectas.

FRIDAY 04/30/2010

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH

PROGRAM NUMBER-NAME OF RUNNER-PROBABLE ODDS-COMMENTS

CHURCHILL RACE 2: MDN 1 MILE

4 KAREN ANN 3-1 Bred to improve each race, already has the times to conquer this filed

1 RIGAMARO 15-1 looks second best on paper

2 ISLAND BOUND 4-1 a contender here

6 OFFICERS GLORY 12-1 ran close to top pick at Keeneland

10 CROWN THE CAT 12-1 loks to run in the stretch at most levels, probably here, too

9 SHIRLEY SHE CAN 12-1 Zito the only asset as this one doesn't have good moves yet

5 RENDITION 15-1 Ran decent against lesser

3 ENGLISH GIRL 15-1 4 year old has good on the board percentage

7 AZURITE 15-1 Second on a fast strip

8 UP AND AWAY 15-1 probably wants cheaper

11 SMARTY'S DREAM 15-1 stable struggling overall despite decent Chruchill record

BEST BETS: WPS 4: Trifectas Box 1-2-4-6: Superfectas Box 1-2-4-6, wheel 4 with 1-2-6-10 with 1-2-6-10 with All: Wheel 1-4 with 1-2-4-6-9-10 with 1-2-4-6-9-10 with 1-2-4-6-9-10

CHURCHILL DOWNS RACE 5: CLM TURF 1 MILE

12 ABSOLUTELY CINDY 12-1 is always dangerous, and looks to sweep these

4 FOREST TRAIL 6-1 has sub par times, but Shug always dangerous 

Churchill opens posted by Johnny Matheis

And if we thought speed held at Keeneland, wait till they run on that hard surface at Churchill that hasn't seen too much rain the last month.

I feel guiting guilty, because I didn't give a lot of great tips over the Keeneland meet, yet still won big, patiently waiting for the big overlays. A huge payoff and exacta on Wednesday, along with an incredible payoff for the feature race on the final day, which involved the two top class runners (the winner running second in the same race last year miraculously went off at 7-1 against a lesser field) and the third place finisher at overlay odds after showing some of the best forward moves at Tampa. I boxed them in the trifecta and had them on top of the other 2 major contenders to hit the superfecta, and filled out the IRS forms for both.

Plus, the true to form racing at Hawthorne helped me, too,

 Now, we see Foley on opening day, and he does best on opening and closing day, so watch for him.

Here are some key races for Churchill 04/24/2010 Saturday

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH FOR EACH RACE

PROGRAM NUMBER-NAME OF RUNNER-PROBABLE ODDS-COMMENTS

RACE 3 CHURCHILL DOWNS MDN CLAIMING 1 MILE

1 NILA MAC 2-1 ran poorly in straight maidens, but those races are still good enough to take this easy

8 NIKKI DARLING 6-1 finds a soft spot for first time start, is well bred, and runs for a stable that does well with first timers

3 DECANTERING 4-1 has a good trainer, but needs to run faster, still looks third best here

4 SUSIE'S SURPRISE 6-1 is bred to run well as a 3 year old, and worked a full 6 furlongs.

Churchill opens posted by Johnny Matheis

And if we thought speed held at Keeneland, wait till they run on that hard surface at Churchill that hasn't seen too much rain the last month.

I feel guiting guilty, because I didn't give a lot of great tips over the Keeneland meet, yet still won big, patiently waiting for the big overlays. A huge payoff and exacta on Wednesday, along with an incredible payoff for the feature race on the final day, which involved the two top class runners (the winner running second in the same race last year miraculously went off at 7-1 against a lesser field) and the third place finisher at overlay odds after showing some of the best forward moves at Tampa. I boxed them in the trifecta and had them on top of the other 2 major contenders to hit the superfecta, and filled out the IRS forms for both.

Plus, the true to form racing at Hawthorne helped me, too,

 Now, we see Foley on opening day, and he does best on opening and closing day, so watch for him.

Here are some key races for Churchill 04/24/2010 Saturday

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH FOR EACH RACE

PROGRAM NUMBER-NAME OF RUNNER-PROBABLE ODDS-COMMENTS

RACE 3 CHURCHILL DOWNS MDN CLAIMING 1 MILE

1 NILA MAC 2-1 ran poorly in straight maidens, but those races are still good enough to take this easy

8 NIKKI DARLING 6-1 finds a soft spot for first time start, is well bred, and runs for a stable that does well with first timers

3 DECANTERING 4-1 has a good trainer, but needs to run faster, still looks third best here

4 SUSIE'S SURPRISE 6-1 is bred to run well as a 3 year old, and worked a full 6 furlongs.

Spot play for 04/17/2010 posted by Johnny Matheis

Now for the spot play for Saturday.

Keeneland has been running horribly off form and not paying  the prices for it. This means too much interaction between backside people against the public, so I have found greener pastures at other tracks. For instance, Friday at Gulfstream, the ninth race couldn't have run much truer to form, yet a dead heat for fourth produced two superfectas that paid over $100 for a ten cent bet (payoff odds of over 1000-1)

But it is Hawthorne's 9th race that looks the best, with the conditions usually helping the handicapper

9TH RACE HAWTHORNED 6 FURLONG CLAIMING NON WINNERS OF 3 LIFETIME RACES

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH:

PROGRAM NUMBER-NAME OF RUNNER-PROBABLE ODDS-COMMENTS

2 EARTHQUAKE LASS 7-2 but don't be afraid if it goes down to 5-2. Not only does she have the best moves and form, but she is dropping in class while showing speed, a great angle. This one is tough to beat.

11 JUST TAKE IT 20-1 has the most upside of the rest. She has the best forward moves, and is on a 4th race follwing a 4 month layoff, which could mean a peak performance. I'd pick her for the win if the trainer wasn't a miserable 0 of 9 for even hitting the board. Call this Nicolas Perez's last chance for redemption.

8 TRIX OF TRADE 6-1 is bred for speed on top and distance on the bottom. Majestic Light produces awkward big striding types, and this one has early foot and good moves, but looks just short of the top two. 

4 AFFECTION 12-1 has the best moves of the rest, but is used to much longer races. Still, this is a good one to key in third or fourth in exotics

Lanes End with solid Favorite: Louisiana Derby wide open posted by Johnny Matheis

There are many big races today, 03/27/2010, but most people will be looking at the two major Derby prep races.

Turfway has a solid favorite for the Lanes End, or as most people still call it, the Jim Beam. Fairgrounds will have about 5 horses byinf for favorite role in a wide open Louisiana Derby.

The fields don't look stellar, but this when they're most dangerous. More up and comers.

 TURFWAY PARK: RACE 9: GRADE 2 LANES END 1 1/8 MILE

Projected order of finish:

PROGRAM NUMBER-NAME OF RUNNER-PROBABLE ODDS-COMMENTS

1 CONNEMARA 4-5 looks to romp, and makes this a tough race to bet. He has 3 wins and a 2nd in 4 starts, including a Grade 3 win. He won a race at Turway to break his maiden. If he doesn't romp here, his Derby hopes could be dashed.

6 OUTLAW MAN 6-1 is trained by McPeek, and could be the one to upset. He ran a fairly close 4th in a Grade 3 in California.

10 VOW TO WAGER 20-1 is Dale Romans, who won by disqualification in the prep for this on a slow track, and is a definite threat here. This is one that the more I look at, the more I like, and will probably go with if he isn't bet under 9-1.

2 DOUBLES PARTNER 10-1 comes off an allowance win, and could pick up the pieces if Connemara falters. The top three really do look like the top three.

7 NORTHERN GIANT 20-1 has a good chance to improve for Lukas, and hitting the board looks very a good possibility.

4 KETTLE RIVER 30-1 could sneak into the trifecta, but a win is a long shot.

9 DEAN'S KITTEN 10-1 has way too many races to not be broken down or worn out, and needs to improve. 

NCAA Midwest Region posted by john howard

The NCAA Midwest region is by far the deepest when you consider how many teams could make it to the final four.

1--Kansas is still the best team in the country.  I'm pretty confident they will make the elite 8.  But, the sweet 16 game against either Maryland or Michigan St is the toughest that any #1 seed will face.

2--Ohio State has 2 future NBA players and you need that to get far in the tournament.  But, this is going to be a tough tough road to haul.

3--Georgetown has had some bad losses.  But they are playing so good right now.  A showdown with them and Ohio State is exciting. 

4--Tennessee has the next best shot because they are on the other side of the bracket from Kansas.  They have beaten the best this year, but can they do it 4 games in a row?   Maybe?

5--Maryland shared the ACC league champs. They are good.  But getting by Kansas will be tough. Too tough.

Michigan State is usually a good tournament team, but Houston is hot right now.  I still think the Spartans win. But, that's as far as it goes.

SD State has been picked as a spoiler.  I don't think Tennessee will let that happen.  Georgetown is just so good now, but Tennessee can compete with anyone.

Georgia Tech has a lot of talent. They are as talented as anyone. But, it's all running amok.  They are scary. Oklahoma State could have the best player in the nation. And, tournaments can make a player. That could happen to James Anderson.

If I had 16 votes to cast for who was going to the final four it would be as follows:

Spurrier vows to improve running game (AP)

Steve Spurrier hasn't gotten over the way last season ended and vows to improve in all areas this year, including South Carolina's last-place running game. The Gamecocks have been at the bottom in Southeastern Conference in rushing the past three years, although Spurrier says it's unfair to tag that failure all on his runners. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Agent: Seahawks, Okung working on deal (AP)

Good news for new coach Pete Carroll on the eve of his first season running the Seahawks: It sounds like Seattle may not have to endure late reporting by another first-round draft choice The agent for sixth-overall pick Russell Okung says he is working to ensure his client is on the field when Seahawks training camp begins Saturday. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Brown ready to get Texas running again (AP)

Mack Brown figures defenses are starting to catch up to the spread offense. He's noticed how much his defense has struggled against powerful, traditional running games in bowl games. And with a young quarterback replacing Colt McCoy, the Longhorns probably shouldn't throw as much as they have in recent years anyway. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Ravens DT Cody passes conditioning test (AP)

A day late and quite short of breath, rookie defensive tackle Terrence Cody passed his conditioning test Wednesday and formally launched his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens. Cody, a 350-pounder out of Alabama, twice failed the test Tuesday. The drill consists of running 25 yards, doubling back, resting for 70 seconds and repeating it twice. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

USC's Kiffin surprised by Titans lawsuit (AP)

Southern California coach Lane Kiffin says he was surprised by the lawsuit filed against him and USC by the Tennessee Titans after he hired away one of the NFL team's assistant coaches. Kiffin hired Kennedy Pola on Saturday to be offensive coordinator and running backs coach for the Trojans. Titans coach Jeff Fisher said he was upset by the fact that Kiffin didn't contact him before... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports