Month: October 2019

Home / Month: October 2019

WASHINGTON — 

Abu Bakr Baghdadi, the shadowy leader of the Islamic State group who presided over its global jihad and became arguably the world’s most wanted man, is believed dead after being targeted by a U.S. military raid in Syria.

A U.S. official said late Saturday that Baghdadi was targeted in Syria’s Idlib province. The official said confirmation that the Islamic State chief was killed in an explosion is pending. No other details were available.

President Trump teased a major announcement, tweeting Saturday night that “Something very big has just happened!” A White House spokesman, Hogan Gidley, would say only that the president would be making a “major statement” at 9 a.m. EDT Sunday.

The strike came amid concerns that a recent American pullback from northeastern Syria could infuse new strength into the militant group, which had lost vast stretches of territory it had once controlled.

Baghdadi led Islamic State, which is also known as ISIS, for the last five years, presiding over its ascendancy as it cultivated a reputation for beheadings and attracted hundreds of thousands of followers to a sprawling and self-styled caliphate in Iraq and Syria. He remained among the few Islamic State commanders still at large despite multiple claims in recent years about his death and even as his so-called caliphate dramatically shrank, with many supporters who joined the cause either imprisoned or jailed.


Click Here: Cheap France Rugby Jersey

The first anniversary of the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history was being marked around the world Sunday with community service projects, music and an online remembrance.

The shooting on Oct. 27, 2018, killed 11 and wounded seven at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood. A steady stream of people visited the site on Sunday. Lining a fence outside the closed Tree of Life building were 11 flowerpots, each bearing the name of one of those killed. People also piled bouquets and crocheted hearts at the site and hung signs on the fence saying the city was “stronger than hate” and calling diversity its strength.

“Today we remember those we lost and come together as a commonwealth to stand united as neighbors,” said a Twitter message from Gov. Tom Wolf, who is scheduled to attend a memorial service in Pittsburgh on Sunday evening.

Pittsburgh’s sports teams joined other organizations in remembering the victims. Steelers President Art Rooney II said fans will be asked at Monday night’s game to stand for a moment of silence for the victims and their families. The Pittsburgh Penguins said, “Hatred and discrimination have no place in Pittsburgh or anywhere else,” and the Pittsburgh Pirates said the memory of the victims “will always be a reminder that hatred has no place in our world.”

Click Here: Cheap France Rugby Jersey

The synagogue’s three congregations now worship at two nearby synagogues. Last week, Tree of Life leaders unveiled their vision for the damaged building: a rebuilt space for places of worship; memorial, education and social events; classrooms; and exhibitions.

The Sunday commemoration’s theme is “Remember. Repair. Together.” It includes a private Jewish service, studying the portion of the Torah that was to be read when the shooting happened, opportunities to do community service, and a public memorial service.

Several hundred people had registered to volunteer at community organizations on Sunday. In Germany, the Clarion Quartet, composed of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians, was to perform at a special event in Berlin.

Thousands were expected to participate in Sunday’s remembrance through Pause With Pittsburgh, a virtual memorial event created by the Jewish Federations of North America.

Authorities charged Robert Bowers, 47, a truck driver from Baldwin, Penn., in the massacre. Investigators say he used an AR-15 rifle and other weapons, and posted criticism of an immigrant aid society on social media before the attack, claiming the Jewish charity “likes to bring invaders that kill our people.”

Federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.


England are in need of extra depth in attack and the 20-year-old attacker is the ideal man to step in and chip in with goals, the midfielder says

Marcus Rashford will continue to grow into a key member of the England team, Jordan Henderson says.

The 20-year-old attacker scored the third goal of his international career as he gave England an early lead against Spain in their UEFA Nations League game at Wembley. 

The Manchester United player returned to the starting XI after Jamie Vardy announced his retirement from the Three Lions, while Raheem Sterling pulled out through injury.

But Rashford proved to manager Gareth Southgate that he can add extra firepower to his side despite their 2-1 defeat.

“We all know how talented Marcus is,” Henderson told Sky Sports.

“His was a great finish. He had another one or two chances that maybe he would have liked to have scored but I thought he looked sharp.

“He was lively and he’s always a threat on the counter-attack. He’s a fantastic young player so he just needs to keep learning, keep improving. He’s a big part of our team.

“We have got plenty of other good strikers like Rashford. [Danny Welbeck] came on and he’s been doing fantastically well in training, so hopefully it gives them an opportunity now.”

Although England lost their first game since finishing fourth at the World Cup in the summer, they have a chance to bounce back on Tuesday when they face Switzerland, and Liverpool star Henderson is not worried about the future.

“We still feel confident, but we still feel like we are learning. You want to play against the best teams and the best players to learn from the experiences,” he said.

“It is very powerful to go out when the atmosphere is brilliant so we have to keep putting performances in to keep that spirit there. We have to keep working hard.

“There’s still a long way to where we want to get to, but there are still positives to take even though we are disappointed with the final result.”

Click Here: Rugby league Jerseys

Martin O’Neill’s side, who are desperate for a win to rescue their poor form, travel to Poland for an international friendly

Republic of Ireland travel to Poland for an international friendly on Tuesday evening at the Stadion Miejski Wroclaw.

The two sides last played each other in Euro 2016 qualification, with the most recent fixture seeing Poland defeat Ireland 2-1. 

Ireland’s first UEFA Nation’s League game against Wales ended in 4-1 thrashing, with their only goal coming from Millwall’s Shaun Williams. Meanwhile, Poland’s trip to Italy ended in a 1-1 draw. 

Game Poland vs Republic of Ireland
Date Tuesday, September 11
Time 7:45pm BST / 2:45pm ET


In the United States (US) the game will available to stream live online using ESPN+.

US TV channel Online stream
N/A ESPN+

The game can be watched live on television in the United Kingdom (UK) via Sky Sports Mix or can be streamed live online using Sky Go.

UK TV channel Online stream
Sky Sports Mix Sky Go


Position Poland squad
Goalkeepers Szczesny, Skorupski, Fabianski
Defenders Pietrzak, Reca, Kaminski, Bednarek, Rybus, Kedziora, Glik, Bereszynski, Dzwigala
Midfielders Goralski, Krychowiak, Klich, Blaszczykowski, Makuszewski, Zielinski, Szymanski, Kurzawa, Frankowski, Kadzior, Romanczuk
Forwards Milik, Lewandowski, Piatek

Captain Robert Lewandowki starts on the bench and will earn his 100th senior cap for the country if he is subbed in. 

Poland’s starting XI: Szczesny, Kedziora, Glik, Kaminski, Reca, Blaszczykowski, Krychowiak, Linetty, Kurzawa, Milik, Piatek

Position Ireland squad
Goalkeepers Randolph, McDermott, Doyle
Defenders Ward, Coleman, Duffy, Clark, Christie, Keogh, Long, Doherty, Egan, Stevens
Midfielders Hendrick, Meyler, O’Dowda, Hourihane, Judge, Horgan, Williams
Forwards Walters, Burke, O’Brien, Robinson

A number of players are absent from Martin O’Neill’s squad including captain Seamus Coleman who has returned back to Everton with a foot injury.

Other players absent from tonight’s game include Robbie Brady, Shane Long, James McClean and Alan Browne, who have all been ruled out with injuries.

Ireland’s starting XI: Randolph, Christie, Keogh, Egan, Long, Stevens, Hendrick, Williams, O’Dowda, Robinson, O’Brien



Home side Poland are considered 4/7 favourites to win by bet365, while Ireland’s chances of winning are rated 6/1. A draw between the teams is priced at 3/1. 



Ireland travel to Poland to take part in a friendly following on from both sides Nations League games, ending in a defeat for the Boys in Green and a draw for the Eagles 

Despite the 4-1 defeat to Wales, Ireland’s full-back Enda Stevens believes that they will be able to bounce back from the loss,

“Thursday was obviously disappointing. Heads were down,” Stevens told reporters after the game on Thursday.

“It was an all-round tough night. Every time they went forward they seemed to score and it’s a tough ask to come back from 3-0 down at half-time but we’ve got to get over it as quickly as possible.”

Polish forward Lewandowski could earn his 100th senior cap for the national team if playing tonight but manager Jerzy Brzeczek has warned the squad not to start celebrating too soon. 

“Even thinking that you can win against Ireland without full engagement could be a huge mistake,” Brzeczek said ahead of tonight’s game. 

“We have huge respect and we know that 90 minutes of a very good game will decide who is going to leave the pitch as a winner.”

Poland are the favourites to win tonight and will be keen to win after a disappointing World Cup where they finished bottom of their group. 

Click Here: cheap true religion jeans

The midfielder has played only once for Germany in 18 months and has struggled for form since 2014’s World Cup triumph.

Lothar Matthaus has advised Mario Gotze to seek a move away from Borussia Dortmund in order to resuscitate his career.

Gotze’s form has stalled since he scored the winning goal for Germany in the 2014 World Cup final, and he was not selected in Joachim Low’s squad for the defence of their title in Russia in the summer.

He re-signed for Dortmund 2016, three years after leaving to join Bayern Munich in the wake of Jurgen Klopp’s side’s run to the Champions League final in 2013, but he has failed to recapture the form that once made him one of Europe’s most sought-after midfield players.

Click Here: Germany Football Shop

And Germany’s record international cap-holder thinks another move will now be necessary if Gotze is to re-start his career.

“His form, which he had before the 2014 World Cup and included his winning goal in the final, is behind him,” Matthaus told Sky Sports in Germany.

“For him, you would have to invent a system at Borussia Dortmund that does not exist right now.

“He has since been with two clubs and played under several coaches – so it is not on the coach.”

Gotze spent several months on the sidelines in 2017 due to a metabolic disorder, but he returned to the side to rack up 16 appearances as the team finished third in the Bundesliga.

Despite criticism amongst fans and the German press, he made 114 appearances for Bayern across three seasons, scoring 36 goals, but has appeared only once for Germany in the last 18 months and now faces a struggle to regain his place in the national team, despite their poor showing at the Russia World Cup.

“Mario is missing the quality and the right position at the moment,” said Matthaus. “He does not have the defensive qualities as an eight, and [Dortmund coach] Lucien Favre does not have a nine and a half as he once explained.”

Dortmund have made an unbeaten start to the new Bundesliga season, with Gotze yet to feature.

 

The Dutchman is set to be back in familiar surroundings with Lyon on Wednesday, but has done little to endear himself to the Etihad Stadium faithful

Memphis Depay has teased Manchester City ahead of a Champions League trip to the Etihad Stadium with Lyon, with the former United star claiming “the city is still red”.

The Netherlands international spent 18 months at Old Trafford between the summer of 2015 and January 2017.

He struggled to make his mark in the Premier League and was allowed to head for France by Jose Mourinho.

Depay has, however, made no secret of where his allegiances lie as he prepares to head back to England on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old forward, who has rebuilt his career at Lyon, told reporters: “It is something special coming back to Manchester.

“The city is still red!”

United have seen City secure local bragging rights in recent years, with the Premier League title secured in record-breaking fashion last season.

Depay, though, still feels that the Red Devils are heading in the right direction under Mourinho.

He was given few opportunities to prove that he could form part of that project, having been signed by countryman Louis van Gaal, but accepts that he faced fierce competition for plans.

He said: “It would be easy for me to say Van Gaal gave me no freedom. Once you lose connection with the coach it gets difficult. United have a lot of attacking players. That is what they stand for.”

He added on a frustrating stint at Old Trafford and the progress he has made since taking on a new challenge: “Everybody can see that. I can feel it myself. I have become more mature.

“When I came back, I felt like a different person. Everyone knows the history between me and Man United wasn’t successful. I didn’t want it like that.”

Depay managed just seven goals in 53 appearances for United.

He already has 28 in 70 outings for Lyon, with 22 of those recorded during a productive 2017-18 campaign.

His account has been opened in the current campaign and he will be hoping for more when returning to a Champions League stage against City.

Click Here: Fjallraven Kanken Art Spring Landscape Backpacks

With 15 goals in 18 games the striker has enjoyed great fortunes against Los Che, and he will hope that run continues on Wednesday at Mestalla

The Champions League and Cristiano Ronaldo are reunited on Wednesday, and so too are the inconic goalscorer and one particular club who must have hoped they had seen the back of the Juventus star this summer. 

Having lifted the European trophy in four of the last five seasons, Cristiano is now aiming for a sixth after completing a €112 million (£100m/$130m) move from Real Madrid in the off-season. 

As well as trophies, the Portuguese forward also holds the record for most goals scored in the Champions League, an incredible 120 strikes over the course of his career with Manchester United and Madrid that puts him well clear of nearest rival Lionel Messi, the Argentine now standing on 106 after a sparkling hat-trick against PSV on Tuesday. 

Both players have rewritten the history books when it comes to prowess in front of the net, setting milestones that may prove impossible to beat even when the pair eventually hang up their boots. 

And along the way they have left many supporters cursing their existence, as they have made life hell for them season after goal-happy season. 

Unfortunately for Valencia, their Ronaldo-related misery could well continue on Wednesday, as the Champions League draw set up a clash with Ronaldo’s new club in the very first game of Group H. 

The striker boasts an enviable record against Los Che, who have consistently been one of his more long-suffering victims over the years in Spain. 

He has found the Valencia net no less than 15 times in 18 games, a strike-rate of 0.83 goals a game. 

It is fellow La Liga side Sevilla nevertheless who hold the dubious distinction of being Ronaldo’s favourite opponents, shipping an incredible 27 to the forward at a rate of one and a half goals a game. 

Getafe, Atletico Madrid and Celta follow in the rankings, as do Barcelona, who have conceded 18 to Cristiano over years of Clasico clashes – a rate that, while impressive, is some way behind Messi’s tally of 26 against Madrid.

At the other end of the spectrum, Benfica are the only side to have kept Ronaldo away from the goal during five games or more. 

Chelsea have also fared well, conceding just once in 1217 minutes against Portugal’s captain. 

Will Valencia fare better against their old nemesis following his move to Serie A? Or will there be a sense of deja vu around the Mestalla on Wednesday as Ronaldo batters his way to even more goals against Los Che?

Click Here: Cheap France Rugby Jersey

NEW YORK — 

Three judges on a federal appeals panel appeared inclined Wednesday to reject arguments that President Trump’s tax returns can’t be given to a state grand jury, with Trump’s lawyers suggesting that local authorities should even let the president get away with shooting someone.

Chief Judge Robert A. Katzmann of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals told lawyers at the conclusion of nearly an hour of arguments that the panel believed the attorneys “may be seeing each other again in Washington.”

The U.S. Supreme Court will probably have the last word on whether Trump can shield himself from Manhattan Dist. Atty. Cyrus R. Vance Jr.’s efforts to explore the president’s financial records since 2011, including his tax returns.

The most colorful exchange of the hearing occurred when Judge Denny Chin confronted Trump attorney William S. Consovoy over whether he thought local authorities could go after Trump if he shot somebody on Fifth Avenue.

“Nothing could be done? That’s your position?” Chin asked.

“That’s correct. Yes,” Consovoy answered, saying that the president would have to be impeached first.

The exchange was a reference to a claim made by Trump when he was campaigning for president in January 2016 and said support for his campaign would not waver even if he shot somebody in the middle of Fifth Avenue.

Vance, a Democrat, is conducting a wide-ranging probe that includes payments made to buy the silence of two women who claim they had affairs with the president before the 2016 presidential election.

The payments were made to porn star Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, a onetime Playboy centerfold.

Trump appealed after a lower-court judge tossed out his challenge to Vance’s subpoena of his financial records from his longtime accountant.

Trump’s lawyers say the Constitution prohibits states from subjecting the U.S. president to criminal process while he’s in office.

Vance’s attorney, Carey R. Dunne, told the 2nd Circuit that no one is above the law and the president does not enjoy the blanket immunity he claims.

Both sides have agreed that no tax records will be demanded until court appeals are finished.

In court papers, Vance has said he’s seeking financial and tax records of entities and individuals, including Trump, who engaged in business transactions in Manhattan.

Trump’s lawyers wrote in court papers that the request is unusual and requires more specific information.


Click Here: liverpool mens jersey

HOUSTON — 

Adam Eaton raced around the bases when he smashed the ball over the right-field wall, without an inkling of desire to admire the home run, slowing down only when he reached home plate and began his walk to the dance floor along the third base line. He stepped into the Washington Nationals’ ecstatic dugout with choreography prepared.

He took off his helmet, bent down and backed it up through the path his teammates, clapping to a rhythm, created for him. When he reached the end, he took a seat on the bench next to Howie Kendrick for the celebration’s finale. They shifted their trucks’ gears three times and added the sounds for the revved-upengines. It’s a bit they’ve done since the All-Star break. It didn’t go quite right on baseball’s biggest stage.

“I missed third gear on my truck,” Eaton said. “I short-shifted and came out of the clutch a little early.”

It was a window into the loose bunch the Nationals have become. They dance to celebrate home runs. They wear bright sunglasses at games, even if they’re played at night or inside domed ballparks, and they enjoy group hugs. They have fun and the good time was never better than Wednesday night when they routed the Houston Astros 12-3 to take a two-games-to-none lead in the World Series.

On May 24, they woke up 19-31 with the third-worst record in the National League. They will wake up Oct. 24 with an eight-game winning streak and two victories from claiming the first World Series title in franchise history.

“We’ve defied the odds,” Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon said.

While the Nationals’ rise has been slow and steady, the Astros have found that life can come fast too. On Saturday, they were celebrating Jose Altuve’s walk-off home run to beat the New York Yankees and claim the American League pennant. They were cast as overwhelming favorites to win their second championship in three years. They were confident — and with 107 wins in the regular season they had a reason to be.

Four days later, the Astros are in disarray. Off the field, they have encountered vicious backlash for a front-office executive’s behavior toward female reporters and their dismissive response to the allegations. On it, the have lost two games with their two best pitchers — Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander — on the mound. They must win at least two of the next three in Washington to ensure they will play at Minute Maid Park again in 2019. Game 3 is Friday.

“Clearly the Nats have outplayed us, bottom line,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said.

The night started with Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred addressing a central figure in these playoffs: the baseball.

All regular season long, MLB faced questions about the baseballs used because they were flying farther than ever.

Then, suddenly, the baseballs seemed to have changed once the calendar flipped to October. Sure home runs the previous six months regularly became routine fly balls. Players and team officials have asserted the balls were changed.

Manfred challenged the consensus. He maintained that the sample size is too small and unreliable. He emphasized the balls are not different from the ones used during the regular season, though he added the league’s investigation into the matter will conclude some time after the World Series and before the end of the year.

“I can tell you one thing for absolute certain, just like every other year, the balls that were used in this postseason were selected from lots that were used during the regular season,” Manfred said. “There was no difference in those baseballs.”

The balls’ characteristics have not mattered to the Nationals. They have continued their torrid run through October, winning games in every which way to propel themselves to the precipice of a championship.

For six innings Wednesday, Verlander and Stephen Strasburg were locked in a duel. Both gave up two runs on hits from the teams’ All-Star third basemen in the first inning. Rendon supplied the Nationals’ production with a two-run double. Alex Bregman smashed a two-run home run to snap a three-for-22 skid.

The pitchers didn’t surrender another run over the next five innings. Strasburg escaped a jam with two runners on base by striking out Robinson Chirinos on his 113th pitch to conclude his night. Verlander outlasted Strasburg but immediately encountered tumult in the seventh inning, which the Nationals began with a boom before vanquishing the Astros with a flurry of soft contact.

Kurt Suzuki led off the inning by clubbing a high fastball from Verlander over the wall to give the Nationals a 3-2 lead. Verlander then issued a walk to Victor Robles on his 107th and final pitch.

“That was the at-bat of the game,” Eaton said. “It kept the line moving.”

The Astros slowly fell apart from there. Ryan Pressly relieved Verlander and walked Trea Turner. Eaton dropped a sacrifice bunt and Rendon flied out to bring the Astros within an out from closing the inning. They wouldn’t secure it until the Nationals scored four more runs without hitting a ball hard in play.

Juan Soto was intentionally walked and the Nationals tallied three consecutive softly hit singles to bust the game open. When the inning finally ended, after Suzuki grounded out in his second plate appearance, the Nationals had netted six runs.

So the Astros were already buried when Eaton swatted his home run, but the Nationals’ fun doesn’t stop. They’ve ridden the wave for five months, and they’re two wins away from the biggest celebration yet.


Racing! Breeders’ Cup pre-entries are in

October 24, 2019 | News | No Comments

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as we look at some of the Santa Anita cards and shake our head.

On Wednesday, 188 horses were entered into the Breeders’ Cup next weekend at Santa Anita. There were 47 from overseas. The total purses are slightly more than $30 million. Let’s get right to the entries. And, remember, there are those who made the field and those who are on a waiting list. Horses can be entered in more than one race.

We went with the official name of the trainer, not the more casual reference we normally use. One thing to notice is how much better the turf races filled than the dirt ones.

Friday races

$1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint (2-year-olds, 5 furlongs on turf).

Making the field (horse, trainer)

A’Ali (IRE), Simon Crisford

Al Raya (GB), Simon Crisford

Another Miracle, Gary Contessa

Band Practice (IRE), Archie Watson

Cambria, Wesley A. Ward

Chimney Rock, Michael J. Maker

Dr Simpson (FR), Tom Dascombe

Dream Shot (IRE), James Tate

Fair Maiden, Eoin G. Harty

Four Wheel Drive, Wesley A. Ward

Kimari, Wesley A. Ward

King Neptune, Aidan P. O’Brien

Not currently in field (listed in order of possible entrance based on selection committee)

13. Alligator Alley (GB), Joseph O’Brien

14. Encoder, John W. Sadler

15. Miss J McKay, Cathal A. Lynch

16. Freewheeler, Todd A. Pletcher

17. Bulletproof One, Peter Miller

18. Air Force Jet (GB), Joseph O’Brien

19. Embolden, Michael Stidham

20. Pistoletto, Aidan P. O’Brien

21. Jack and Noah (FR), Mark E. Casse

22. Fore Left, Doug F. O’Neill

23. Karak, Wesley A. Ward

24, Leucothea, Peter Miller

25. Axiomo, Mikhail Yanakov

26. Full Flat, Hideyuki Mori

Embolden has second preference in the Juvenile Turf

Encoder has second preference in the Juvenile Turf

Fair Maiden has first preference in the Juvenile Fillies Turf

Full Flat has second preference in the Juvenile

King Neptune has second preference in the Juvenile

$1 million Juvenile Turf (2 year-olds colts and geldings, one mile on turf)

American Theorem, George Papaprodromou

Andesite, Brad Cox

Arizona, Aidan P. O’Brien

Decorated Invader, Christophe Clement

Encoder, John W. Sadler

Fort Myers, Aidan P. O’Brien

Graceful Kitten, Amador Merei Sanchez

Hit the Road, Dan Blacker

Our Country, George Weaver

Peace Achieved, Mark E. Casse

Royal Dornoch (IRE), Aidan P. O’Brien

Structor, Chad C. Brown

Vitalogy, Brendan P. Walsh

War Beast, Doug F. O’Neill

Not currently in field

15. Billy Batts, Peter Miller

16. Gear Jockey, George R. Arnold II

17. Proven Strategies, Mark E. Casse

18. Embolden, Michael Stidham

19. Deviant, Danny Pish

20. New World Tapestry, Aidan P. O’Brien

21. Anneau d’Or, Blaine Wright

American Theorem has first preference in the Juvenile

Anneau d’Or has second preference in the Juvenile

Billy Batts has second preference in the Juvenile

Embolden has first preference in the Juvenile Turf Sprint

Encoder has first preference in the Juvenile Turf Sprint

$2 million Juvenile Fillies (fillies 2-years-old, 1 1/16 miles)

Bast, Bob Baffert

British, Idiom Brad

Comical, Doug F. O’Neill

Donna Veloce, Simon Callaghan

Etoile, Aidan P. O’Brien

K P Dreamin, Jeff Mullins

Lazy Daisy, Doug F. O’Neill

Perfect Alibi, Mark E. Casse

Two Sixty, Mark E. Casse

Wicked Whisper, Steven M. Asmussen

Etoile has first preference in the Juvenile Fillies Turf

$1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf (fillies 2-years-old, one mile on turf)

Abscond, Eddie Kenneally

Albigna (IRE), Mrs. John Harrington

Alms, Michael Stidham

Crystalle, John C. Kimmel

Daahyeh (GB), Roger Varian

Etoile, Aidan P. O’Brien

Fair Maiden, Eoin G. Harty

Living In The Past (IRE), Karl Burke

Selflessly, Chad C. Brown

Shadn (IRE), Andrew M. Balding

Sharing, H. Graham Motion

Sweet Melania, Todd A. Pletcher

Tango (IRE), Aidan P. O’Brien

Walk In Marrakesh (IRE), Ignacio Correas

Not currently in field

15. Precious Moments (IRE), Aidan P. O’Brien

16. Croughavouke (IRE), Jeff Mullins

17. Princesa Caroline, Chad C. Brown

18. Unforgetable, Joseph O’Brien

19. Applecross (IRE), Richard Baltas

Etoile has second preference in the Juvenile Fillies

Fair Maiden has second preference in the Juvenile Turf Sprint

$2 million Juvenile (colts and geldings 2-years-old, 1 1/16 miles)

American Theorem, George Papaprodromou

Anneau d’Or, Blaine Wright

Billy Batts, Peter Miller

Dennis’ Moment, Dale L. Romans

Eight Rings, Bob Baffert

Full Flat, Aidan P. O’Brien

Maxfield, Brendan P. Walsh

Scabbard, Eddie Kenneally

Shoplifted, Steven M. Asmussen

Storm the Court, Peter A. Eurton

Wrecking Crew, Peter Miller

American Theorem has second preference in the Juvenile Turf

Anneau d’Or has first preference in the Juvenile Turf

Billy Batts has first preference in the Juvenile Turf

Full Flat has first preference in the Juvenile Turf Sprint

King Neptune has first preference in the Juvenile Turf Sprint

Saturday’s races

$1 million Filly & Mare Sprint (fillies and mares 3 and up, 7 furlongs)

Bellafina, Simon Callaghan

Come Dancing, Carlos Martin

Covfefe, Brad Cox

Danuska’s My Girl, Dan Ward

Dawn the Destroyer, Kiaran P. McLaughlin

Heavenhasmynikki, Robert B. Hess Jr.

Lady Ninja, Richard Baltas

Mo See Cal, Peter Miller

Secret Spice, Richard Baltas

Selcourt, John W. Sadler

Serengeti Empress, Thomas M. Amoss

Spiced Perfection, Peter Miller

Mo See Cal has first preference in the Distaff

Secret Spice has first preference in the Distaff

Serengeti Empress has first preference in the Distaff

$1 million Turf Sprint (3 and up, 5 furlongs on turf)

Belvoir Bay (GB), Peter Miller

Eddie Haskell, Mark Glatt

Fairyland (IRE), Aidan P. O’Brien

Imprimis, Joseph F. Orseno

Legends of War, Doug F. O’Neill

Leinster, George R. Arnold II

Om, Peter Miller

Pure Sensation, Christophe Clement

So Perfect, Aidan P. O’Brien

Stormy Liberal, Peter Miller

Stubbins, Doug F. O’Neill

Totally Boss, George R. Arnold II

Not currently in field

13. Final Frontier, Thomas Albertrani

14. Shekky Shebaz, Jason Servis

15. Girls Know Best, Eddie Kenneally

16. Double Touch (GB), John W. Sadler

Om has second preference in the Mile

$1 million Dirt Mile (3 and up, 1 mile)

Blue Chipper. Kim Yung Kwan

Catalina Cruiser, John W. Sadler

Coal Front, Todd A. Pletcher

Diamond Oops, Patrick L. Biancone

Firenze Fire, Jason Servis

Giant Expectations, Peter A. Eurton

Hog Creek Hustle, Vickie L. Foley

Improbable, Bob Baffert

Mr. Money, W. Bret Calhoun

Omaha Beach, Richard E. Mandella

Spun to Run, Juan Carlos Guerrero

Whitmore, Ron Moquett

Not currently in field

13. Snapper Sinclair, Steven M. Asmussen

14. Trais Fluors (GB), Ken Condon

15. Ambassadorial, Jane Chapple-Hyam

Catalina Cruiser has first preference in the Sprint

Diamond Oops has first preference in the Sprint

Firenze Fire has first preference in the Sprint

Hog Creek Hustle has first preference in the Sprint

Snapper Sinclair has second preference in the Mile

Trais Fluors (GB) has first preference in the Mile

Whitmore has first preference in the Sprint

$2 million Filly & Mare Turf (fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 ¼ miles on turf)

Billesdon Brook (GB), Richard Hannon

Castle Lady (IRE), Henri Alex Pantall

Fanny Logan (IRE), John H.M. Gosden

Fleeting (IRE), Aidan P. O’Brien

Iridessa (IRE), Joseph O’Brien

Just Wonderful, Aidan P. O’Brien

Magical (IRE), Aidan P. O’Brien

Mirth, Philip D’Amato

Mrs. Sippy, H. Graham Motion

Sistercharlie (IRE), Chad C. Brown

Thais (FR), Chad C. Brown

Vasilika, Dan Ward

Villa Marina (GB), Carlos Laffon-Parias

Iridessa (IRE) has first preference in the Mile

Just Wonderful has second preference in the Mile

Magical (IRE) has first preference in the Turf

Mrs. Sippy has second preference in the Turf

$2 million Sprint (3 and up, 6 furlongs)

Catalina Cruiser, John W. Sadler

Diamond Oops, Patrick L. Biancone

Engage, Steven M. Asmussen

Firenze Fire, Jason Servis

Hog Creek Hustle, Vickie L. Foley

Imperial Hint, Luis Carvajal Jr.

Landeskog, Doug F. O’Neill

Matera Sky, Hideyuki Mori

Mitole, Steven M. Asmussen

Shancelot, Jorge Navarro

Whitmore, Ron Moquett

Catalina Cruiser has second preference in the Dirt Mile

Diamond Oops has second preference in the Dirt Mile

Firenze Fire has second preference in the Dirt Mile

Hog Creek Hustle has second preference in the Dirt Mile

Whitmore has second preference in the Dirt Mile

$2 million Mile (3 and up, 1 mile on turf)

Bolo, Carla Gaines

Bowies Hero, Philip D’Amato

Bricks and Mortar, Chad C. Brown

Circus Maximus (IRE), Aidan P. O’Brien

El Tormenta, Gail Cox

Got Stormy, Mark E. Casse

Hey Gaman (GB), James Tate

Iridessa (IRE), Joseph O’Brien

Just Wonderful, Aidan P. O’Brien

Line of Duty (IRE), Charlie Appleby

Lord Glitters (FR), David O’Meara

Space Traveller (GB), Richard A. Fahey

True Valour (IRE), Simon Callaghan

Uni (GB), Chad C. Brown

Not currently in field

15. Suedois (FR), David O’Meara

16. Trais Fluors (GB), Ken Condon

17. Lucullan, Kiaran P. McLaughlin

18. Without Parole (GB), Chad C. Brown

19. Caribou Club, Thomas F. Proctor

20. Next Shares, Richard Baltas

21. Om, Peter Miller

22. Snapper Sinclair, Steven M. Asmussen

Bricks and Mortar has first preference in the Turf

Iridessa (IRE) has second preference in the Filly & Mare Turf

Just Wonderful has first preference in the Filly & Mare Turf

Om has first preference in the Turf Sprint

Snapper Sinclair has first preference in the Dirt Mile

Trais Fluors (GB) has second preference in the Dirt Mile

$2 million Distaff (fillies and mares 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles)

Blue Prize (ARG), Ignacio Correas

Dunbar Road, Chad C. Brown

Elate, William I. Mott

La Force (GER), Patrick Gallagher

Midnight Bisou, Steven M. Asmussen

Mo See Cal, Peter Miller

Ollie’s Candy, John W. Sadler

Paradise Woods, John A. Shirreffs

Secret Spice, Richard Baltas

Serengeti Empress, Thomas M. Amoss

Street Band, J. Larry Jones

Wow Cat (CHI), Chad C. Brown

Elate has first preference in the Classic

Mo See Cal has second preference in the Filly & Mare Sprint

Secret Spice has second preference in the Filly & Mare Sprint

Serengeti Empress has second preference in the Filly & Mare Sprint

$4 million Turf (3 and up, 1 ½ miles on turf)

Acclimate, Philip D’Amato

Alounak (FR), Waldemar Hickst

Anthony Van Dyck (IRE), Aidan P. O’Brien

Arklow, Brad Cox

Bandua, Jack Sisterson

Bricks and Mortar, Chad C. Brown

Channel Cat, Todd A. Pletcher

Channel Maker, William I. Mott

Magical (IRE), Aidan P. O’Brien

Mount Everest (IRE), Aidan P. O’Brien

Mrs. Sippy, Andrew Stone

Old Persian (GB), Charlie Appleby

United, Richard E. Mandella

Zulu Alpha, Michael J. Maker

Bricks and Mortar has second preference in the Mile

Magical (IRE) has second preference in the Filly & Mare Turf

Mrs. Sippy has first preference in the Filly & Mare Turf

$6 million Classic (3 and up, 1 ¼ miles)

Code of Honor, Claude R. McGaughey III

Elate, William I. Mott

Higher Power, John W. Sadler

Math Wizard, Saffie Joseph Jr.

McKinzie, Bob Baffert

Mongolian Groom, Enebish Ganbat

Owendale, Brad Cox

Seeking the Soul, Dallas Stewart

Vino Rosso, Todd A. Pletcher

War of Will, Mark E. Casse

Yoshida (JPN), William I. Mott

Elate has second preference in the Distaff

Santa Anita preview

The week (or is it weak?) gets started with an eight-race card starting at 1 p.m. Seven of the eight races are claimers and the remaining race is the feature, an allowance/optional claimer for horses going 5 ½ furlong on the turf. The rail is at 30 feet.

The favorite, at 8-5, is Boa Nova for trainer Anna Meah and jockey Edwin Maldonado. He is two-for-eight this year and is coming off a seventh in the Eddie D. Stakes. This company should be a bit easier. His previous two races were wins at the allowance and claiming levels.

The second favorite is Blackout at 9-5. He goes for Peter Miller and Abel Cedillo. He is winless in seven starts this year but finished in his last two races, both allowance/optional claimers.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 5, 6, 6, 8, 7, 7, 5, 8.

Ciaran Thornton’s SA pick of the day

RACE ONE: No. 1 Black Storm (5-1)

Black Storm, in a card with value hard to find, at 5-1 looks nice off two straight wins. Seeking the third win in a row we see yet another new jockey, this time Reuben Fuentes. Trainer Lloyd Wicker is one for three winner last race. We see a couple of sharp workouts for Thursday’s race and they raise the horse in class. This is a small stable looking to get paid on the claim and the purse money. First time routing so we may get a better value than 5-1 even though I believe the distance is fine for this horse. Look at the last few race replays—this horse tracks and powers late and loves to pass other horses and fights to win. Tough to train this, they either have it or they don’t. This horse has it.

Sunday’s result: Reds Sacred Appeal tracked third into the first turn then dropped far behind before making a late move to run third.

Ciaran Thornton is the handicapper for Californiapick4.com, which offers daily full card picks, longshots of the day, best bets of the day.

Golden Gate weekend preview

Here’s our weekly look at the best racing going on at Golden Gate Fields. As with the last meeting, we’re delighted to have race caller and all-around good guy Matt Dinerman as our host for previews and other musings. So, take it away, Matt.

“The first of nine stakes races in the fall meet goes as Saturday’s seventh race: the $75,000 Pike Place Dancer Stakes for 2-year-old fillies going a mile on the turf. A field of six will go around 3:45 p.m.

“Among the leading contenders is Shanghai Keely, coming off a two-month break. The daughter of Shanghai Bobby won her career debut at Pleasanton by 6 3/4 lengths before running fourth in the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar.

“Also expecting to get support is The Adrie Factor, who takes on winners for the first time. Trained by leading trainer Jonathan Wong, the daughter of War Front stallion The Factor raced over grass on Sept. 28 and broke her maiden by open lengths. Wong also saddles No Cover Charge, who has won two sprint races.

“Wise Rachel is a daughter of 2007 Breeders Cup turf winner English Channel, so she has the pedigree to be effective routing on grass. The California-bred filly broke her maiden at Pleasanton in her first start before hitting the board in the CTBA Stakes at Del Mar.

“Southern California invaders Convoluted and Colombian Gold round out the Pike Place Dancer field. Convoluted, whose lone try on turf resulted in an off the board finish against stakes company at Del Mar, was then second sprinting in the Phone Chatter Stakes at Los Alamitos. Colombian Gold is a maiden who hasn’t hit the board in three career starts.

“In other news, well regarded Golden Gate Fields 2-year-old Anneau D’Or, whose long career race resulted in an eight-length romp routing on turf last month, was pre-entered in both the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and Breeders Cup Juvenile on dirt for trainer Blaine Wright and owner Peter Redekop.

The Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf is sixth on the “also eligible” list and is unlikely to see six defections to draw into the race. The Breeders Cup Juvenile did not oversubscribe and Anneau D’Or is in the field. Wright indicated Wednesday morning that he wasn’t sure if Anneau D’Or would run in the Juvenile.

“We probably have less than a 10% chance of getting into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, but if we were somehow able to draw into the race, then we would like to run,” Wright said. “We are already in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on dirt and, although not 100% certain as to what we are going to do, at the moment we are leaning towards passing on that race. We can reroute him to another race if we need to.”

“Also noteworthy: Southern California jockey Brayan Pena has relocated to Northern California and will be riding full time at Golden Gate Fields starting this Friday. Agent Brent Harmon will be handling Pena’s book.

“Lastly, in Leg D of the Stronach 5 wager—race three at Golden Gate on Friday—has 12 allowance starters going six furlongs. I really like No. 5 Passionate Reward, first off the claim for Isidro Tamayo, who wins at 30% first-off-the-claim. In fact, I like him enough to single him in Stronach 5 ticket.”

Final thought

If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter you can click here and sign up. Remember, it’s free, and all we need is your email, nothing more. Tell your friends, or even people you don’t like that much.

Any thoughts, you can reach me at [email protected]. You can also feed my ego by following me on Twitter @jcherwa.

Now, the star of the show, Thursday’s entries.

Santa Anita Entries for Thursday, October 24.

Santa Anita, Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California. 16th day of a 23-day meet.

FIRST RACE.

1 Mile. Purse: $30,000. Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $35,000.

PP Horse Jockey Wt Trainer M-L Claim $
1 Black Storm Ruben Fuentes 125 Lloyd C. Wicker 5-1 35,000
2 According to Buddy Eswan Flores 125 Hector O. Palma 6-1 35,000
3 I Can Do This Abel Cedillo 125 Mark Glatt 9-5 35,000
4 Jamminwithbrandon Joseph Talamo 125 Vladimir Cerin 7-5 35,000
5 Royal Insider Flavien Prat 122 Jack Carava 4-1 35,000

SECOND RACE.

6 Furlongs. Purse: $21,000. Maiden Claiming. Fillies. 2 year olds. Claiming Price $30,000.

PP Horse Jockey Wt Trainer M-L Claim $
1 Trouville Flavien Prat 122 Leonard Powell 7-2 30,000
2 Billy’sgotasingle J.C. Diaz, Jr. 117 Vladimir Cerin 6-1 30,000
3 Lady Sunset Ruben Fuentes 122 Victor L. Garcia 6-5 30,000
4 Kuda Huraa Mario Gutierrez 122 George Papaprodromou 4-1 30,000
5 Don’t Stop Lookin Jorge Velez 117 Art Sherman 12-1 30,000
6 Too Much Heaven Efrain Hernandez 122 J. Eric Kruljac 4-1 30,000

THIRD RACE.

1 Mile Turf. Purse: $40,000. Claiming. Fillies. 3 year olds. Claiming Price $50,000.

PP Horse Jockey Wt Trainer M-L Claim $
1 Sophie Antoinette J.C. Diaz, Jr. 117 David E. Hofmans 5-2 50,000
2 Super Bunny Norberto Arroyo, Jr. 122 Peter Miller 5-1 50,000
3 Italia Aaron Gryder 122 Mike Puype 5-1 50,000
4 Khairiya Geovanni Franco 124 Philip D’Amato 2-1 50,000
5 Velvet Queen Flavien Prat 122 Richard Baltas 7-5 50,000
6 So Gucci Evin Roman 122 Doug F. O’Neill 3-1 50,000

FOURTH RACE.

6 Furlongs. Purse: $17,000. Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $10,000.

PP Horse Jockey Wt Trainer M-L Claim $
1 Autumn Day Heriberto Figueroa 125 Steven Miyadi 4-1 10,000
2 Fast Cotton Agapito Delgadillo 125 Doug F. O’Neill 12-1 10,000
3 Burn Me Twice Tiago Pereira 123 William Spawr 8-1 10,000
4 Puriano Joseph Talamo 123 George Papaprodromou 6-1 10,000
5 Boy Howdy Abel Cedillo 123 Jack Carava 5-1 10,000
6 Desert General Jorge Velez 118 Jonathan Wong 3-1 10,000
7 Royal Seeker J.C. Diaz, Jr. 118 Marcelo Polanco 12-1 10,000
8 Short of Ez Flavien Prat 123 Mike Puype 5-2 10,000

FIFTH RACE.

5½ Furlongs Turf. Purse: $29,000. Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $25,000.

PP Horse Jockey Wt Trainer M-L Claim $
1 Owning Brice Blanc 120 Javier Jose Sierra 15-1
2 Italiano Abel Cedillo 125 Andrew Lerner 5-2 25,000
3 Conquest Cobra Assael Espinoza 123 Mark Glatt 5-1 25,000
4 Awesome Heights Jorge Velez 120 Genaro Vallejo 2-1 25,000
5 Satrapa J.C. Diaz, Jr. 118 Mark Glatt 10-1 25,000
6 Grab the Munny Ruben Fuentes 120 John W. Sadler 8-1 25,000
7 Getaloadofthis Flavien Prat 125 John W. Sadler 3-1 25,000

SIXTH RACE.

5½ Furlongs. Purse: $17,000. Maiden Claiming. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $20,000.

PP Horse Jockey Wt Trainer M-L Claim $
1 Pasito Donnie Meche 122 J. Eric Kruljac 6-1 20,000
2 Dairy Kid Henry Lopez 112 Robert J. Lucas 10-1 20,000
3 Sybil’s Kitty Agapito Delgadillo 122 Richard Baltas 7-2 20,000
4 Point Received Edgar Payeras 122 Ruben Gomez 50-1 20,000
5 My S V R Aaron Gryder 122 Andrew Lerner 5-1 20,000
6 Colonel Power Tyler Baze 125 John W. Sadler 6-5 20,000
7 Quite a Starlett Geovanni Franco 122 Gary Stute 4-1 20,000

SEVENTH RACE.

5½ Furlongs Turf. Purse: $53,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $62,500.

PP Horse Jockey Wt Trainer M-L Claim $
1 Boa Nova Edwin Maldonado 122 Anna Meah 8-5
2 Ultimate Bango Ruben Fuentes 125 Blake R. Heap 4-1
3 Shades of Victory Eswan Flores 125 Reed Saldana 20-1
4 Blackout Abel Cedillo 125 Peter Miller 9-5 62,500
5 Stop the Violence Jorge Velez 118 Peter Miller 5-2 62,500

EIGHTH RACE.

1 Mile. Purse: $15,000. Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $12,500.

PP Horse Jockey Wt Trainer M-L Claim $
1 Dr. Bagley Flavien Prat 122 Jeff Mullins 4-1 12,500
2 Chieftain’s Lad Martin Garcia 125 Candelario Villamar 30-1 12,500
3 Irish Ballad Tiago Pereira 125 Ruben Gomez 12-1 12,500
4 Lake Show Eswan Flores 122 Robert A. Bean 50-1 12,500
5 Gryffindor Edgar Payeras 125 Richard Rosales 5-1 12,500
6 Big Impression Evin Roman 122 Rafael Becerra 4-1 12,500
7 Dawood Agapito Delgadillo 125 Richard Baltas 5-2 12,500
8 Big Barrel Jorge Velez 120 Leonard Powell 2-1 12,500

Click Here: liverpool mens jersey