Juvenal “Juve” Quintana was never really into politics until he learned about Bernie Sanders’ first presidential campaign.

In 2016, Quintana heard the Vermont senator’s talk of providing everyone with health insurance and thought that would help Latinos in his hometown of Modesto, but he didn’t think they were getting the message from Spanish-language media. So Quintana, the lead singer of Grupo La Meta, wrote a ballad: “El Quemazón,” or “The Bern.”

“He’s the man with a vision to better this country,” the corrido begins, in Spanish. “Bernie Sanders is his name. Now you’re going to feel his burn.” Quintana’s song has had hundreds of thousands of views since then, and the message still stands, he said in an interview.

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“Bernie’s talking about the same exact things that I wrote about in 2016,” said Quintana, 30. “I’m 100% for Bernie. I feel like he’s the candidate who will listen.”

Young Latinos like Quintana were strong supporters of Sanders in 2016, and the candidate is reaching out to them again in hopes they can help him capture primaries nationwide, and particularly California’s March 3 Democratic contest. Sanders is headed to predominantly Latino East L.A. on Saturday for a rally at Woodrow Wilson Senior High School, and thousands are expected to attend.

The Sanders campaign debuted its first California office in East L.A. and opened another in the Central Valley, an area overlooked in past campaigns but where Democratic candidates this year are looking to capitalize on increasing diversity. Sanders had planned tours at colleges in Fresno and Bakersfield, but had to cancel after he suffered a heart attack; he stopped in Fresno on Friday. Outreach to Latinos has been integrated into the campaign since the start, for instance in the form of senior Latino staff and bilingual ads, said Chuck Rocha, a senior advisor with the campaign.

“There’s lots of Latinos in California, there’s lots of working-class young people, and working-class voters and lots of folks who have a history of standing up against power,” said Rocha. “Bernie Sanders is their candidate, and all we have to do is give them the tools to be reminded of when to vote and where he stands on the issues and they will show up.”

Nationwide, Latino voters are expected to be the largest minority voting bloc in 2020, surpassing black voters for the first time. But campaigns have failed to mobilize their full potential: Voter turnout for Latinos falls behind black voter turnout. And Latino voters in the U.S. skew young: Of the estimated 32 million eligible to cast ballots, 43% are 18 to 34, according to the research firm Latino Decisions. The average age of Latinos in the U.S. is 30.

Sanders polls well with Latino voters. Nationally, 34% of likely Democratic Latino voters under 30 supported him, compared with 11% for former Vice President Joe Biden, a November youth poll by the Institute of Politics at Harvard found, according to its polling director, John Della Volpe. And in a California poll released Wednesday by the Latino Community Foundation, 31% of Latino registered voters surveyed said they planned to vote for Sanders, compared with 22% for Biden and 11% for Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

And Latinos are donating to Sanders’ campaign at a rate far higher than to his opponents, according to an analysis of ActBlue donations by marketing firm Plus Three, which used census data to identify Latino surnames. Sanders raised more than $4.7 million from Latinos nationwide in the first six months of the year, millions more than the next candidates. Los Angeles was the top city for fundraising from Latinos, and California the top state, according to the analysis.

Some of Sanders’ local support stems from his previous run. At 19, Estefany Castañeda became a volunteer organizer in Lennox for the 2016 California primary. She knocked on doors for Sanders, which exposed her to the needs of her community, she said. So in 2018, Castañeda challenged an incumbent for a seat on the Centinela Valley Union High School District board, and won.

Castañeda, now 23, said Sanders, whom she calls el viejito bueno, “the good old man,” has a track record of supporting minorities. Even her older family members who voted for Hillary Clinton over Sanders in 2016 are taking him seriously, she said.

“This time around now, my cousins thankfully saw the light of day, and now they actively do discuss Sanders as a possibility,” she said. “The more that you get to know the Bernie campaign, the more that it checks off the majority, if not all, the issues that Latino families are facing in California.”

For Stacy Tapia, 27, those issues are healthcare costs, housing and immigration. Tapia lives at home with her family in Panorama City and helps her mother, who works as a housekeeper, make rent. A “Bernie” sign is displayed in a window of the home.

Tapia said she voted for Sanders in the 2016 primary, and this August went to his housing town hall in Northridge.

Sanders, she said, speaks to the issues that concern her family: “If you’re an immigrant, if you’re struggling with healthcare costs, there’s just something that he provides.”

California’s high-profile farmworkers union endorsed Sen. Kamala Harris for president on Saturday, soon after her rival Sen. Bernie Sanders won the support of the national nurses labor group and Los Angeles teachers.

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The endorsements coincide with this weekend’s California Democratic Party gathering in Long Beach, where Harris, Sanders and 10 other primary contenders are courting activists and party leaders.

For Harris, the United Farm Workers’ backing gives a symbolic boost to her flagging campaign. The union rose to national prominence under its founder, Cesar Chavez, who led national grape boycotts in the 1960s. Its membership has dwindled in recent decades to about 8,700 workers.

“She has been a leader in equal treatment and protection,” said Teresa Romero, the union’s president, in praising the senator’s work on immigration.

Harris’ campaign has multiple ties to the union. Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the group with Chavez, endorsed the California senator in February, and Chavez’s granddaughter, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, is a senior advisor on Harris’ campaign.

Labor unions have been wary about making endorsements after their early backing of Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election caused rifts in some major unions between leadership and the rank and file. Several that have picked a candidate this year are siding with Sanders.

On Thursday, United Teachers Los Angeles, the second-largest teacher’s union in the U.S., with roughly 34,000 members, threw its support behind the Vermont senator.

“We need an unapologetic, long-standing ally of progressive policies to make public education a priority in the White House,” said UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl. “Critically, like UTLA, Sen. Sanders believes in building a national movement for real, lasting change.”

On Friday, Sanders joined representatives from the National Nurses United local office in Oakland to officially accept their endorsement. The union has more than 150,000 members nationwide.

“He has done more than any other elected official to build the ‘Medicare for all’ movement,” said Jean Ross, co-president of the union. “We know healthcare is a human right, and Bernie is the one to fight with us to make that happen.”

When it was his turn to speak, Sanders came to the lectern as the crowd of nurses chanted his name.

“You are the backbone of the American healthcare system. You do fantastic and compassionate work,” he told them. “I am increasingly confident that with your support, we’re going to win here in California.”

All the Mission Viejo football team needed to advance in the Southern Section Division 1 playoffs was a stop from its lauded defense, but it wasn’t as easy as it had been for the Diablos during the regular season.

Servite’s offense was flowing to the tune of 28 second-half points, and instead of a defensive stop, Mission Viejo got an assist from the clock as Servite ran out of time to complete its comeback attempt.

With time winding down in the fourth, the Diablos holding on to a 10-point lead and Servite driving, the Friars scored with 10 seconds left, cutting Mission Viejo’s lead to three.

The ensuing onside kick was recovered by Diablos tight end T.J. Roelen to send Mission Viejo to the Division 1 semifinals with a 38-35 win over Servite.

The fourth-seeded Diablos will host top-seeded Mater Dei next Friday.

The Mission Viejo defense set the tone in the first half.

The Diablos (11-0) forced Servite into a three and out on the first possession of the game, and after just a six-yard punt, Mission Viejo needed only four plays to find the end zone.

After a 26-yard designed quarterback run from Peter Costelli, Jacquez Robertson sneaked between tackles and put the Diablos on the board at the 9:17 mark of the first.

Servite (7-4) managed to give quarterback Noah Fifita some time to operate on its second possession and the sophomore made plays. Fifita connected with Damien Moun for a 21-yard pass and catch, then found Tetairoa McMillan up the left sideline for a 43-yard touchdown to tie the score at seven with 7:14 remaining in the first.

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Mission Viejo rebounded on its next possession, orchestrating a 14-play, 65-yard scoring drive complete with some gutsy play calling. The Diablos went for it on fourth and two from the Servite 33-yard line with Robertson picking up 13 yards and a first down.

Three plays later, with Mission’s offense sputtering after a run for no gain and an incomplete pass, another designed quarterback run was called and Costelli picked up 26 more yards, moving the Diablos’ offense to the Servite one-yard line. Tyson Scott scored three plays later from two yards out, giving Mission Viejo a 14-7 lead with 1:10 remaining in the first quarter.

Mission Viejo held Servite to 83 yards through the air and 40 yards rushing in the first half.

FOOTBALL

CITY

Quarterfinals, Friday

OPEN DIVISION

San Pedro 17, Carson 0

Birmingham 34, Garfield 14

Wilmington Banning 35, Palisades 21

Crenshaw 26, San Fernando 23

DIVISION I

Eagle Rock 42, Locke 21

El Camino Real 44, Grant 21

Venice 50, Westchester 41

Reseda 14, Los Angeles Roosevelt 12

DIVISION II

Franklin 34, Los Angeles Marshall 14

Jefferson 47, Los Angeles Wilson 6

Manual Arts 41, Granada Hills Kennedy 0

Canoga Park 35, Chavez 6

DIVISION III

Marquez 38, Legacy 12

Washington 42, Panorama 7

Lincoln 51, Los Angeles Jordan 20

Gardena 11, Sun Valley Poly 7

EIGHT-MAN

CITY

Quarterfinals, Friday unless noted

Animo Robinson 58, Discovery 6

New Designs University Park 60, USC Hybrid 30 (Thursday)

North Valley Military Institute 58, Sun Valley 12

Fulton 22, Dymally 14

SOUTHERN SECTION

Quarterfinals, Friday unless noted

DIVISION 1

Mater Dei 63, Bishop Amat 23

Mission Viejo 38, Servite 35

Corona Centennial 56, JSerra 0

St. John Bosco 63, Calabasas 7

DIVISION 2

Sierra Canyon 42, Vista Murrieta 28

Rancho Cucamonga 21, Long Beach Poly 7

Chaminade 28, Upland 27 (OT)

San Clemente 13, Rancho Verde 9

DIVISION 3

Cajon vs. Corona del Mar at Newport Harbor, Saturday, 7 p.m.

Alemany 47, Tesoro 28

La Habra 35, Edison 27

Grace Brethren 33, Lawndale 31

DIVISION 4

Paramount 41, Eastvale Roosevelt 17

San Juan Hills 52, Hart 21

Loyola 45, Villa Park 28

Camarillo 28, Downey 27

DIVISION 5

Culver City 62, Chino Hills 35

St. Paul 28, Yorba Linda 16

Glendora 38, Etiwanda 21

Aquinas 26, Oxnard 21

DIVISION 6

Crespi 38, Ayala 35

Oxnard Pacifica 55, Citrus Valley 28

La Serna 28, Los Altos 14

San Jacinto 17. Kaiser 0

DIVISION 7

Serrano 35, Burbank 13

Cypress 33, Ventura 31

Temecula Valley 21, Carter 20 (OT)

West Ranch 57, Long Beach Wilson 56

DIVISION 8

Sunny Hills 49, Riverside Notre Dame 24

Trabuco Hills 34, San Gorgonio 7

Palmdale 13, Aliso Niguel 12

Santa Barbara 42, Palm Desert 32

DIVISION 9

San Dimas 21, Foothill 18

North Torrance 41, Palm Springs 10

Newport Harbor 24, Monrovia 20

Highland 42, Lakewood 29

DIVISION 10

Crescenta Valley 45, Eisenhower 20

Katella 22, Segerstrom 17

Orange 27, Riverside North 7

Simi Valley 41, Norte Vista 24

DIVISION 11

Linfield Christian 28, Pasadena 21

Muir 23, Chaffey 8

Hemet 35, El Rancho 32

Marina 24, Ontario Christian 21

DIVISION 12

El Monte 60, Nordhoff 12

Jurupa Hills 36, Rio Hondo Prep 29

Adelanto 36, Moreno Valley 3

Orange Vista 23, Oak Park 0

DIVISION 13

Alhambra 46, Santa Ana Calvary Chapel 14

Ramona 44, Cantwell-Sacred Heart 14

Esperanza 18, Fillmore 7

Inglewood 60, Santa Monica 21

DIVISION 14

St. Pius X-St. Matthias 58, Ganesha 0

Vista del Lago 27, Mary Star 20

South Torrance 17, Portola 16

Loara 28, Sierra Vista 20

8 MAN

DIVISION 1

Quarterfinals, Friday unless noted

Windward 68, Moreno Valley Riverside County Education Academy 14

Flintridge Prep 35, Cate 25

Sage Hill 45, Faith Baptist 42

Chadwick at Thacher, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

DIVISION 2

Quarterfinals, Friday unless noted

Santa Maria Valley Christian at Bloomington Christian, Saturday, 5:30 p.m.

Noli Indian vs. Sage Oak at Brewster Park (Apple Valley), Saturday, 1 p.m.

Hillcrest Christian 46, Cuyama Valley 20

Lancaster Baptist 54, CSDR 6

= = = =

CITY FOOTBALL

OPEN DIVISION

Semifinals, Nov. 22, 7 p.m.

#4 Birmingham (6-4) at #1 San Pedro (10-1)

#7 Crenshaw (8-2) at #3 Wilmington Banning (5-4)

DIVISION I

Semifinals, Nov. 22, 7 p.m.

#4 El Camino Real (7-4) at #1 Eagle Rock (9-3)

#3 Venice (8-4) at #2 Reseda (8-3)

DIVISION II

Semifinals, Nov. 22, 7 p.m.

#4 Jefferson (9-3) at #1 Franklin (10-2)

#3 Manual Arts (11-1) at #2 Canoga Park (10-2)

DIVISION III

Semifinals, Nov. 22, 7 p.m.

#4 Washington (10-2) at #1 Marquez (12-0)

#3 Lincoln (10-2) at #2 Gardena (8-4)

EIGHT-MAN

Semifinals, Nov. 22, 7 p.m.

#4 New Designs University Park (3-5) at #1 Animo Robinson (9-1)

#3 North Valley Military Institute (7-2) at #2 Fulton (7-1)

Notes: Championships, Nov. 29-30 at El Camino College (schedule tba).

SOUTHERN SECTION FOOTBALL

DIVISION 1

Semifinals, Nov. 22

#1 Mater Dei (11-0) at #4 Mission Viejo (11-0)

#2 St. John Bosco (10-1) at #3 Corona Centennial (9-2)

DIVISION 2

Semifinals, Nov. 22

#4 Rancho Cucamonga (9-3) at #1 Sierra Canyon (11-1)

Chaminade (7-5) at #2 San Clemente (10-2)

DIVISION 3

Semifinals, Nov. 22

Corona del Mar/Cajon winner at #4 Alemany (9-2)

#3 La Habra (10-2) at #2 Grace Brethren (11-1)

DIVISION 4

Semifinals, Nov. 22

#4 San Juan Hills (9-3) at #1 Paramount (11-1)

Loyola (5-6) at #2 Camarillo (11-1)

DIVISION 5

Semifinals, Nov. 22

St. Paul (11-1) at #1 Culver City (12-0)

Aquinas (10-2) at #3 Glendora (11-1)

DIVISION 6

Semifinals, Nov. 22

#4 Oxnard Pacifica (11-1) at Crespi (8-4)

San Jacinto (10-2) at #3 La Serna (12-0)

DIVISION 7

Semifinals, Nov. 22

#1 Serrano (12-0) at #4 Cypress (12-0)

West Ranch (10-2) at #3 Temecula Valley (10-2)

DIVISION 8

Semifinals, Nov. 22

#1 Sunny Hills (10-2) at Trabuco Hills (8-4)

#2 Santa Barbara (10-2) at #3 Palmdale (11-1)

DIVISION 9

Semifinals, Nov. 22

North Torrance (10-2) at San Dimas (11-1)

Newport Harbor (9-3) at Highland (9-3)

DIVISION 10

Semifinals, Nov. 22

Katella (11-1) at #1 Crescenta Valley (12-0)

Orange (11-1) at Simi Valley (9-3)

DIVISION 11

Semifinals, Nov. 22

#4 Muir (10-2) at Linfield Christian (9-3)

#2 Marina (10-2) at Hemet (8-4)

DIVISION 12

Semifinals, Nov. 22

Jurupa Hills (11-1) at #1 El Monte (12-0)

Adelanto (10-2) at Orange Vista (9-3)

DIVISION 13

Semifinals, Nov. 22

#1 Alhambra (12-0) at #4 Ramona (10-2)

#2 Inglewood (12-0) at Esperanza (8-4)

DIVISION 14

Semifinals, Nov. 22

#1 St. Pius X-St. Matthias (11-0) at #4 Vista del Lago (10-2)

South Torrance (8-4) at Loara (10-2)

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Notes: Championships, Nov. 29-30 (Division 1 final, Nov. 30 at Cerritos College, remaining divisions TBA).

SOUTHERN SECTION 8 MAN FOOTBALL

DIVISION 1

Semifinals, Nov. 22 or 23

#4 Flintridge Prep (9-2) at #1 Windward (9-0)

Sage Hill (10-1) at Thacher/Chadwick winner

DIVISION 2

Semifinals, Nov. 22 or 23

Bloomington Christian/Santa Maria Valley Christian winner vs. Sage Oak/Noli Indian winner

#2 Lancaster Baptist (7-2) at #3 Hillcrest Christian (8-1)

Notes: Championships, Nov. 29-30.

Hello, my name is John Cherwa and welcome back to our horse racing newsletter as Del Mar cancels next Thursday’s card.

It has been a long time since the California Horse Racing Board has addressed the idea of what to do about the riding crop. In fact, it was first brought up in March. Since that time the chair and vice-chair have left the board and two new members were appointed, one of whom is the likely vice-chair.

So, on Thursday the matter will come before the board in a meeting across the street from the Del Mar Race Course. There are two proposals that will be looked at. The first, is the former one proposed that said the riding crop can only be used in the event that the safety of the horse and/or rider were in jeopardy.

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The second proposal prohibits the use of the whip “except when waving or showing the crop without touching the horse or when tapping the horse on the shoulder with the crop in the down position while having both hands physically on the reins and neck of the horse.”

Now, it seems if these are the only two proposals that they should be melded together so that the safety option is part of the second proposal, but then it couldn’t be acted upon because it wouldn’t have been posted. Don’t know if it would have to go back for public comment, which would delay it more.

It will likely be the first meeting chaired by Gregory Ferraro along with likely vice-chair Oscar Gonzales. Now, the vote hasn’t been taken, but this is pretty close to having a winning place bet in a two-horse race.

Here’s a theoretical question, with no agenda attached to it. If the riding crop is no longer used on horses, how would showing the horse the crop motivate the horse?

Del Mar cancels Thursday card

I don’t know about you but I scratch my head when a track cancels a card almost a week early because of weather. But that’s what Del Mar did on Friday when it canceled next Thursday’s card out of “an abundance of caution.” As we know, weather forecasts a week out are almost always rock solid.

“We know this is unusual for Del Mar but equine and rider safety is always our primary concern,” said Tom Robbins, the executive vice president for racing at Del Mar. “We’ll make a call next week as to whether or not we’ll have training on Wednesday and Thursday. We plan on drawing entries for next Friday’s card this Sunday and we’ll race weather permitting.”

Rain is expected Tuesday through Thursday. And, Robbins is a guy whose reputation is impeccable. But let’s throw a few conspiracy theories out there. First of all, Del Mar knows it can not suffer any more fatalities after the two last weekend. The heat is already so hot that the track can’t take any chances. So, if it is out of “an abundance of caution,” why would you consider allowing horses to train Wednesday and Thursday. Yes, we understand horses can’t stay in the barn, they need to get out. But, let’s face it, training deaths don’t seem to resonate like racing deaths, where everyone can see them. And, they don’t count in the Equine Injury Database.

That’s not a conspiracy theory, those are what follows.

–You saw some pretty short fields for Del Mar lately. Is it possible that they would have really had to stretch to fill both Thursday and Friday? When Santa Anita returns and they have 12 mandatory dark days, how many of those do you think will be on a Thursday? Ah, I’m guessing most. Not racing on Thursday will only stretch the horse population further.

–As stated above, the CHRB meets at Del Mar on Thursday. With Santa Anita’s license coming up for approval, the presumption is there will be a strong contingent of animal rights folks opposing the action. The CHRB and a racing card give them a two-fer to protest at. And, through observation, protesters generally don’t like to work on weekdays, and instead wait for weekends. With no racing, it might be less interesting for those who protest the sport.

As for me, I’m going to stick with Robbins explanation because he can be trusted. But, it’s not to say there aren’t some collateral advantages.

Madeline Auerbach speaks out

Former CHRB vice chair Madeline Auerbach gave this very candid interview to Daniel Ross of the Thoroughbred Daily News. She talks about how she was forced out and how “Sacramento” (i.e. the Governor’s office) wants to control the board. Let’s just say, she’s not a happy camper as to how this all played out. You can read it here.

Weekly handicapping lesson

Here’s our weekly contribution from Rob Henie of the WCHR (West Coast Handicapping Report) and the ECHR (East Coast Handicapping Report). Today’s analysis comes from the fifth race at Del Mar and incorporates some handicapping angles into the mix. Rob, take it away.

“These are $25,000 claimers going 1 1/16 miles on the turf. What do we do with a bottom level claimer in November? Let’s look at every runner to try and figure this thing out. From the rail, let’s start with FRENCH GETAWAY. Off a nearly two-year layoff, there were some well meant intentions, but the bottom has now fallen out of things, thus, the drop to this bottom level. TOUGH IT OUT is now in the Art Sherman barn, not a barn we typically associate with moving runners up off a claim, thus, no surprise this one’s run evenly in each of his last few starts since joining the new barn. BLUE DANCER has been running at Century Mile (which replaced Northlands Park in Edmonton), Hastings in Vancouver, Turf Paradise, and now Del Mar. Bizarre movement, while inconsistent. MOONLIGHT DRIVE has won two of his last three since June, then again, the fact he’s offered right back for the same $25,000 off the recent win, well, there’s a certain caveat associated with this guy we believe. MAGIC MUSKETIER has shown zero since returning from a brief layoff, both here at Del Mar and Fresno, now on the turf where he’s 0 for 5, no thanks. So, we’ve eliminated much of the field. Let’s get to those who have a legitimate look. Top selection is FOREVER JUANITO (#8). She jumped quickly from the gate last time out, and though not typically a front running sort, this is often a good sign. Horses catapult from the gate, and a healthy runner can often be spotted with the simply point of a strong break, a solid angle which is rarely ever mentioned, but please remember this going forward. Saturday, this 8-year-old is stringing four races together off the nine-month layoff, not only a sign of his good health, but also useful in that he’s a fresh horse, a sharp horse, just many positive attributes to believe another nice effort is coming. START A RUNNIN (#7) has all of a sudden found his rhythm, pushing for the front end while routing on the turf. As Charlie Whittingham once said, “horses are like strawberries, they can go bad overnight.” It’s so true, but also true, is that a horse can gain instant confidence during a running of the race, usually as a result of leading the pack, a swagger, and that’s what we see here with this one. Another good try also seems likely.

“Hot / Cold Race Trends: none

“Win Contenders (order of preference): 8-7

“X Out Runners (eliminating on the win end): 1,2,3

“TOP PICK: FOREVER JUANITO (#8 7-2 A Espinoza)

“SECOND CHOICE: START A RUNNIN (#7 6-1 E Flores)”

^{The West Coast Handicapping Report can be found at http://www.westcoasthorseracing.com It has been endorsed by leading trainers, handicappers and industry sources.}

Del Mar review

It was a spirited stretch drive with a few horses with a chance to win but in the end it was favorite Doc Yco Cheeks winning the featured allowance for fillies and mares going a mile on the turf course for a purse of $53,000. Doc Yco Cheeks, under a smart ride by Rafael Bejarano, won by half-a-length.

Doc Yco Cheeks paid $4.00, $2.60 and $2.40 for trainer Peter Eurton. Rose was second and Brahms Command finished third.

Del Mar preview

Saturday’s card has something you don’t see much at Del Mar—a four-horse race and a five-horse stakes race. The second race, an allowance/optional claimer, is down to four because of a scratch. It’s one of three allowance races. There are four races on the turf with the card starting at 12:30 p.m.

The feature is the Grade 3 $100,000 Bob Hope Stakes for 2-year-olds going seven furlongs. The favorite, at 7-5, is Thousand Words for trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Flavien Prat. He’s only run once, winning a maiden special by half-a-length.

The close second favorite is Strongconstitution at 9-5 for Doug O’Neill and Abel Cedillo. He won his first race, which was on the turf and then finished second in the Sunny Slope Stakes at Santa Anita. There are five horses in the race, which should go off near 4 p.m.

Here are the field sizes, in order: 6, 4, 6, 8, ,9, 9, 10, 5, 8.

Bob Ike’s Dmr pick of the day

FIFTH RACE No. 5 Moonlight Drive (7-2)

Coming back at the same $25,000 claiming level after beating similar at Santa Anita, no reason this Kristin Mulhall-trained gelding can’t score right back. He should sit a good trip right behind the speed and even though he has never won over this course, his runner-up effort here during the summer was good. Tab in a competitive turf race.

Friday’s result: Aqua Seaform Shame ($13.40) broke running, kicked away in mid-stretch, then safely held off her even-money favorite stablemate to record a sharp win at a nice price.

Bob Ike is a Partner/VP of Horsebills.com (here’s a video) and the proprietor of BobIkePicks.com (full-card picks, 3 Best Plays and betting strategy).

Big races preview

A look at graded stakes or races worth $100,000 or more on Saturday. All times PST.

11:05 Woodbine (3): $100,000 South Ocean Stakes, Ont-bred fillies 2-years-old, 1 1/16 miles. Favorite: Owlette (4-5)

11:51 Laurel (6): $100,000 James F. Lewis Stakes, 2-year-olds, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Tuggle (3-1)

12:20 Laurel (7): $100,000 Smart Halo Stakes, fillies 2-years-old, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Summer Fortune (2-1)

12:20 Aqueduct (8): $100,000 Key Cents Stakes, NY-bred fillies 2-years-old, 6 furlongs. Favorite: Time Limit (2-1)

2:36 Churchill (10): Grade 3 $125,000 River City Handicap, 3 and up, 1 1/8 miles on turf. Favorite: Mr. Misunderstood (5-2)

4:00 Del Mar (8): Grade 3 $100,000 Bob Hope Stakes, 2-year-olds, 7 furlongs. Favorite: Thousand Words (7-5)

6:11 Delta Downs (8): $100,000 Delta Mile Stakes, 3 and up, 1 mile. Favorite: Forevamo (3-1)

Ed Burgart’s LA pick of the day

FIFTH RACE: No. 1 Achieved (5-2)

He has been much improved in last two victories and doesn’t figure to regress with one-month rest from last sharp win over runner-up who since beat 870-yard allowance company. He will likely control the pace from his inside slot in this 870-yard affair and he has survived pace pressure before.

Final thought

Always looking to add more subscribers to this newsletter. Can’t beat the price. If you like it, tell someone. If you don’t like it, then you’re probably not reading this. Either way, send to a friend and just have them click here and sign up. Remember, it’s free, and all we need is your email, nothing more.

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

And now the stars of the show, Friday’s results and Saturday’s entries.

Del Mar Charts Results for Friday, November 15.

Copyright 2019 by Equibase Company. Reproduction prohibited. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar, California. All finishes confirmed by Plusmic USA. Official program numbers may not correspond with post position. 5th day of a 15-day meet. Clear & Firm

FIRST RACE.

1 Mile Turf. Purse: $36,000. Claiming. 3 year olds. Claiming Prices $40,000-$35,000. Time 22.84 46.80 1:11.04 1:23.04 1:35.23

Winner–Of Good Report B.g.3 by Twirling Candy out of Lunar Landing, by El Corredor. Bred by Bell Tower Thoroughbreds (KY). Trainer: Vladimir Cerin. Owner: Peerenboom-Bowyer Racing Stables, LLC. Mutuel Pool $134,121 Exacta Pool $67,243 Quinella Pool $1,825 Superfecta Pool $26,208 Trifecta Pool $43,366. Scratched–none.

OF GOOD REPORT chased outside a rival then inside on the backstretch and second turn, came out in midstretch and rallied under some urging to collar the runner-up late. HARTEL broke outward, had speed outside a rival then inched away and angled in, set the pace inside, continued clear past midstretch and held on well but could not contain the winner in the final stages. THE CREEP had speed inside the runner-up then stalked along the rail, came out into the stretch, split horses in midstretch and held third. MYSTERY MESSENGER chased inside then between foes into and on the second turn, came three wide into the stretch and was edged for the show. SWAMP SOUFFLE squeezed a bit at the start, chased just off the rail, went up three deep into the second turn then four wide, came three wide into the stretch and lacked a rally. BLUE SKYE JADE chased inside then a bit off the rail leaving the backstretch, went three deep on the second turn then angled in some into the stretch, drifted in through the drive and weakened.

SECOND RACE.

1 Mile. Purse: $17,000. Claiming. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Prices $8,000-$7,000. Time 24.18 48.85 1:14.25 1:27.15 1:39.96

Winner–Conformation Dbb.f.4 by Medaglia d’Oro out of Cabo, by Leroidesanimaux (BRZ). Bred by Hallmarc Stallions LLC (FL). Trainer: Ben D. A. Cecil. Owner: Reddam Racing LLC. Mutuel Pool $103,908 Daily Double Pool $25,868 Exacta Pool $47,364 Quinella Pool $1,782 Trifecta Pool $36,106. Claimed–Love of Art (IRE) by Horseplayers Racing Club, Ortega, Jr., Alex, Kennedy, Jr., Philip and Saratoga West. Trainer: Jeffrey Metz. Scratched–Ipray.

CONFORMATION three deep early, stalked outside a rival then just off the rail, bid alongside the runner-up in the drive to gain the lead and drew clear under urging. MAJESTIC DIVA sped to the early lead, set the pace a bit off the rail then inside on the second turn and into the stretch, fought back along the fence in midstretch, could not match the winner but held second. HEART’S PASSION three wide into the first turn, stalked outside a rival then three deep on the backstretch and second turn and into the stretch and bested the others. LOVE OF ART (IRE) stalked a bit off the rail then between horses on the backstretch and second turn, continued just off the inside into the stretch and weakened. CEE SAM’S GIRL saved ground stalking the pace, dropped back into the stretch, gave way and was eased in the final furlong.

THIRD RACE.

5 Furlongs Turf. Purse: $52,000. Maiden Special Weight. Fillies. 2 year olds. Time 22.90 45.15 56.46

Winner–Aqua Seaform Shame B.f.2 by Kantharos out of Chandeleur, by Repent. Bred by Green Key Farm (FL). Trainer: Richard Baltas. Owner: Calvin Nguyen. Mutuel Pool $232,909 Daily Double Pool $17,925 Exacta Pool $150,121 Quinella Pool $3,794 Superfecta Pool $65,464 Trifecta Pool $92,980. Scratched–Agave Queen, Flawless Gem, Lighthouse, Princess Mo.

50-Cent Pick Three (6-6-5) paid $102.55. Pick Three Pool $48,726.

AQUA SEAFORM SHAME had good early speed and dueled outside a rival then between foes, battled inside on the turn, inched away a bit off the rail into the stretch, had the rider lose the whip past the eighth pole but held on gamely under energetic handling. VENETIAN HARBOR angled in and pressed the pace inside then stalked along the rail on the turn and into the stretch, angled off the inside in midstretch and came back on. SPEECH went up five wide then four wide on the backstretch, bid three deep then dueled outside the winner on the turn and bested the others. KISSABLE U saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch and lacked a rally. DEL MAR DRAMA hopped at the start, angled in and chased inside, came a bit off the rail in the stretch and lacked the necessary response. MORNING ADDICTION stalked between horses on the backstretch and most of the turn, continued outside a rival leaving the turn and three wide into the stretch and weakened. BEGUILED hopped at the start, chased outside a rival, split horses leaving the turn, came three deep into the stretch, angled inward in the drive and lacked a further response. BRAVE CINDERELLA pulled four wide early then stalked three deep, came four wide into the stretch and weakened.

FOURTH RACE.

6 Furlongs. Purse: $34,000. Starter Allowance. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $32,000. Time 22.68 45.95 58.36 1:10.89

Winner–Eternal Endeavour (GB) B.m.5 by Mayson (GB) out of Never Lose (GB), by Diktat (GB). Bred by Tibthorpe Stud (GB). Trainer: Leonard Powell. Owner: Levy Racing. Mutuel Pool $193,791 Daily Double Pool $24,905 Exacta Pool $101,949 Quinella Pool $3,239 Superfecta Pool $33,408 Trifecta Pool $69,122. Scratched–Tizanillusion.

50-Cent Pick Three (6-5-2) paid $65.50. Pick Three Pool $23,447.

ETERNAL ENDEAVOUR (GB) stalked between horses then outside a rival, went between foes again into the turn, angled in on the bend, came out into the stretch, bid outside the runner-up past the eighth pole, took a short lead under urging in deep stretch and won clear. RIZZI’S HONORS angled in and dueled between horses then outside a rival leaving the turn, took the lead into the stretch, inched away, fought back while drifting inward in the final furlong but could not match the winner late. TAPITHA BONITA chased inside, came a bit off the rail midway on the turn, angled three wide into the stretch and gained the show. OH MY OH stalked outside then bid four wide to press the pace on the backstretch tracked three deep then outside a rival on the turn and weakened. D’S LOVELY SOPHIA bobbled slightly in a bit of a slow start, moved up between horses then pressed the pace three wide between foes, battled three deep through most of the turn, came three wide into the stretch and also weakened. BEAU ROCKET sped to the early lead, angled in and dueled inside, fought back leaving the turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong.

FIFTH RACE.

1 Mile Turf. Purse: $23,000. Claiming. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Prices $25,000-$22,500. Time 23.24 47.95 1:12.36 1:24.31 1:36.24

Winner–Saburai Ch.m.5 by First Samurai out of Ms Isadorable, by Royal Academy. Bred by Richard Shultz (KY). Trainer: Vladimir Cerin. Owner: Wilson, Holly and David. Mutuel Pool $269,851 Daily Double Pool $33,341 Exacta Pool $178,777 Quinella Pool $4,813 Superfecta Pool $89,357 Trifecta Pool $118,228. Claimed–Flying to the Line by Firsthome Thoroughbreds and Bach, Robert. Trainer: Adam Kitchingman. Claimed–Super Bunny by Tahajian, Brett and Rader, Darryl. Trainer: William Spawr. Scratched–Chalky (IRE).

50-Cent Pick Three (5-2-2) paid $60.05. Pick Three Pool $69,882. 50-Cent Pick Four (6-5-2-2) 4 correct paid $398.50. Pick Four Pool $113,220. 50-Cent Pick Five (6-6-5-2-2) 5 correct paid $2,853.15. Pick Five Pool $363,979.

SABURAI tugged some along the inside then saved ground stalking the pace, came out in midstretch, bid alongside the runner-up under some urging to gain the advantage in deep stretch and proved best. FLYING TO THE LINE sped to the early lead and crossed to the inside, set the pace along the rail, fought back past midstretch then could not match the winner late but held second. UNTOUCHED ELEGANCE stalked between horses on the first turn then outside a rival, came out some in the stretch and was edged for the place. RED BUNTING (IRE) broke a bit slowly, chased inside then just off the rail leaving the backstretch, came out leaving the turn and four wide into the stretch and was edged for third. LUCKY STEPPER saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and could not quite summon the needed late kick. REDS SACRED APPEAL settled outside a rival then inside leaving the backstretch and on the second turn and into the stretch and improved position along the fence in the drive. LEADING INDICATOR chased outside a rival, came out leaving the second turn and our wide into the stretch and lacked a further response. LAKER JET stalked three deep then outside a rival on the backstretch, continued three wide on the second turn and into the stretch and weakened. SUPER BUNNY chased outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch, drifted in some and had little left for the drive.

SIXTH RACE.

1 Mile. Purse: $29,000. Maiden Claiming. 2 year olds. Claiming Prices $50,000-$40,000. Time 22.65 47.43 1:13.41 1:26.62 1:40.04

Winner–Stackin Silver B.c.2 by Union Rags out of Silver Payday, by Fusaichi Pegasus. Bred by Rodrigo Cunha (KY). Trainer: Richard Baltas. Owner: Slam Dunk Racing, McClanahan, Jerry and Nentwig, Michael. Mutuel Pool $248,913 Daily Double Pool $28,166 Exacta Pool $131,210 Quinella Pool $4,229 Superfecta Pool $61,604 Trifecta Pool $99,804. Scratched–none.

50-Cent Pick Three (2-2-3) paid $83.70. Pick Three Pool $52,890.

STACKIN SILVER had speed outside a rival then stalked just off the rail, bid between horses on the backstretch, took the lead outside a foe leaving the second turn, inched away into the stretch and drew clear under urging while drifting in some late. GOING TO VEGAS bobbled at the start, angled in on the first turn and chased inside, came off the rail leaving the backstretch, went outside a rival on the second turn then off the fence into the stretch and bested the others. KNIFES EDGE bobbled at the start, went four wide into the first turn, bid four wide between horses on the backstretch, angled in on the second turn, came out into the stretch and edged a rival for the show. ITSTHATTIME five wide into the first turn, stalked outside then bid five wide on the backstretch, fell back and angled in some on the second turn and weakened. TACO WACO lagged back along the inside, came out on the second turn and three deep into the stretch and was not a threat. TEMPLE BAR sped to the early lead, inched away on the first turn, dueled inside on the backstretch and second turn and weakened in the drive. PRINCE RICKY five wide into the first turn, angled in and chased just off the rail to the stretch and gave way. SPIDER RICO chased between horses, bid three deep between foes on the backstretch, fell back and angled in some on the second turn and also gave way.

SEVENTH RACE.

1 Mile Turf. Purse: $53,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $20,000. Time 23.18 48.55 1:13.19 1:24.98 1:36.62

Winner–Doc Yco Cheeks Ch.f.3 by Unusual Heat out of Sandy Cheeks, by Souvenir Copy. Bred by Sharon Alesia & Ciaglia Racing, LLC (CA). Trainer: Peter Eurton. Owner: Alesia, Sharon and Ciaglia Racing LLC. Mutuel Pool $278,174 Daily Double Pool $28,267 Exacta Pool $154,855 Quinella Pool $5,180 Superfecta Pool $75,218 Trifecta Pool $109,002. Claimed–Sapphire Kid by Beerman Family Trust and Sayjay Racing LLC. Trainer: Steve Knapp. Scratched–none.

50-Cent Pick Three (2-3-1) paid $34.40. Pick Three Pool $46,382.

DOC YCO CHEEKS saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch, bid three wide under some urging past midstretch to gain the lead in deep stretch and gamely prevailed. ROSE DUNN stalked inside, came out leaving the second turn, bid alongside the pacesetter into the stretch to put a head in front nearing midstretch and fought back between foes in deep stretch. BRAHMS COMMAND broke a bit slowly, tugged her way between horses then angled in and set the pace inside, came a bit off the rail into the stretch, fought back inside the top pair in deep stretch and continued gamely to the end. LUCKY MS JONES also away a bit slowly, chased just off the rail then outside a rival, split horses leaving the second turn and finished with interest. AVALON RIDE saved ground chasing the pace, continued inside in the drive and also finished willingly. SAPPHIRE KID pulled some and chased outside a rival then between horses on the second turn, came out into the stretch and was outfinished. MARJORIE E stalked the pace outside a rival, came out into the stretch and could not quite summon the needed late kick. MAGNIFICENT Q T three deep into the first turn, stalked outside a rival, continued three wide leaving the second turn and into the stretch, drifted in and weakened in the drive.

EIGHTH RACE.

5½ Furlongs. Purse: $52,000. Maiden Special Weight. 3 year olds and up. Time 22.19 45.76 57.63 1:03.68

Winner–Tigre Di Slugo Ch.c.4 by Smiling Tiger out of Erica’s Smile, by Williamstown. Bred by Premier Thoroughbreds LLC (CA). Trainer: Mike Puype. Owner: Slugo Racing, Tiger Racing Stable and Puype, Mike. Mutuel Pool $295,645 Daily Double Pool $110,448 Exacta Pool $176,443 Quinella Pool $4,986 Superfecta Pool $113,521 Super High Five Pool $55,006 Trifecta Pool $134,483. Scratched–none.

20-Cent Pick Six Jackpot (5-2-2-3-1-3) . Pick Six Jackpot Carryover $58,807. 50-Cent Pick Three (3-1-3) paid $54.70. Pick Three Pool $197,860. 50-Cent Pick Four (2-3-1-3) 4 correct paid $141.15. Pick Four Pool $499,890. 50-Cent Pick Five (2-2-3-1-3) 5 correct paid $880.55. Pick Five Pool $315,452. $2 Pick Six (5-2-2-3-1-3) 5 out of 6 paid $97.80. $2 Pick Six (5-2-2-3-1-3) 6 correct paid $13,719.60. Pick Six Pool $77,042. $1 Place Pick All 8 correct paid $934.70. Place Pick All Pool $18,072.

TIGRE DI SLUGO broke a bit slowly, tugged between foes then three wide between rivals, split horses on the turn, came three deep into the stretch, bid three wide in midstretch, took the lead outside the runner-up under urging in deep stretch and proved best. AFTERNOON HEAT sped to the early lead, set the pace inside then dueled along the rail, fought back along the fence through the stretch and continued willingly. GRANDPA LOUIE stalked outside then pressed the pace three deep, battled outside the runner-up into the stretch and between horses in midstretch and bested the others. SPENDAHOLIC stalked four wide then outside on the turn, came three deep into the stretch and lacked a rally. CORRANA EN LIMEN stalked early then bid between horses to duel for the lead, drifted inward in the stretch and weakened. LOAFERS BOY hopped at the start and was squeezed back and forced out, settled outside, came three wide into the stretch and did not rally. POSTY bumped at the start, chased between horses then a bit off the rail, angled to the inside on the turn and weakened. ACAPULCO BAY a bit slow into stride, saved ground stalking the pace, dropped back in the stretch and had little left for the drive. CREDANCE broke out and bumped a rival, chased a bit off the rail to the stretch and gave way in the lane.

Del Mar Entries for Saturday, November 16.

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar, California. $2 Win, Place and Show; $1 Exacta, $2 Quinella, 50-cent Trifecta, $2 Rolling Double, 50-cent rolling Pick 3; 10-cent Superfecta; 50-cent Pick 4 last 4 races; 50-cent Players Pick 5 first 5 races; $2 Pick 6 last 6 races; $1 Place Pick All; $1 Super High Five last race. Trifecta needs 4 betting interests; Superfecta needs 6. 6th day of a 15-day meet.

FIRST RACE.

6 Furlongs. Purse: $17,000. Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Prices $16,000-$14,000.

SECOND RACE.

1 Mile. Purse: $55,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $62,500.

THIRD RACE.

5 Furlongs Turf. Purse: $53,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $20,000. State bred.

FOURTH RACE.

1 Mile. Purse: $18,000. Maiden Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $20,000.

FIFTH RACE.

1 1/16 Mile Turf. Purse: $30,000. Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Prices $25,000-$22,500.

SIXTH RACE.

6½ Furlongs. Purse: $52,000. Maiden Special Weight. Fillies. 2 year olds.

SEVENTH RACE.

1 1/16 Mile Turf. Purse: $53,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. Fillies. 3 year olds. Claiming Price $80,000.

EIGHTH RACE.

7 Furlongs. Purse: $100,000. ‘Bob Hope Stakes’. 2 year olds.

NINTH RACE.

1 Mile Turf. Purse: $52,000. Maiden Special Weight. 3 year olds and up. State bred.

Howdy, I’m your host, Houston Mitchell. How do athletes stay so cool? By sitting in front of all those fans.

LAKERS

For a moment, the lane to the basket was open. Anthony Davis closed it quickly.

The All-Star forward stonewalled Harrison Barnes’ drive on a game-tying layup at the buzzer as the Lakers held on for a 99-97 win over the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on Friday.

The Lakers (10-2) held hold the Kings to less than 100 points, which is the first time Sacramento has been held below 100 since Oct. 28. The Kings, who started the season with five straight losses, had won four of their past five games.

Coached by former Lakers coach Luke Walton, the Kings tied the game late with a layup from Bogdan Bogdanovic, but LeBron James hit the game-winning free throws with 5.5 seconds remaining. James finished with 29 points and 11 assists.

The Lakers fell behind by 13 at one point in the first half. The Kings rained three-pointers. The Lakers missed their first six shots from deep.

It was a three-pointer from Kyle Kuzma that sparked a Lakers second-quarter comeback. The forward contributed five straight points to a 14-0 run that turned a 13-point deficit into a brief one-point lead. Kuzma finished the first half with 13 points, including 10 in the second quarter.

—

Lakers guard Avery Bradley has a hairline fracture in a non-weight-bearing bone in his right leg, an MRI exam performed Thursday night confirmed.

The Lakers announced that the injury was on the fibular head of Bradley’s leg and that he will be reevaluated in one to two weeks.

“We have the No. 1 defense in the league in large part because of him and the tone that he sets,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “So he’ll be missed.”

BASEBALL

Dylan Hernandez has an excellent column on Yu Darvish you should check out here. An excerpt:

As reports surfaced this week detailing how the Houston Astros used electronic equipment to steal signs in 2017, Yu Darvish wasn’t upset.

He was conflicted.

“Because I had that experience, I was able to work hard these last two years and become the person I am now,” Darvish said in Japanese in a video he uploaded to his popular YouTube channel Thursday night.

Click Here: NRL Telstra Premiership

As a starting pitcher for the Dodgers that season, Darvish had a disastrous World Series against the Astros. He was charged with four runs and lasted only 1⅔ innings in a Game 3 loss. His performance in Game 7 was even worse, as he gave up five runs in an equally short start that delivered the Astros their first-ever championship.

“I feel that if I absolve myself and say it was the Astros’ fault I was bad in Game 7, in the World Series, I can’t develop as a person,” he said. “In life, I think huge failures are extremely important. I’ve had a few up to this point. The World Series was one of them. I think it will remain a point of reference for me. I’ve already learned a lot from it. So regarding that, I can’t view myself charitably. I think I have to continue to accept the results.”

He acknowledged his World Series failures have bothered him the last two years, in particular because he could never make sense of what happened.

In the immediate aftermath, Astros players said Darvish was tipping his pitches. He was never satisfied by the story. Alarmed by how the Astros reacted to his pitches in Game 3, the Dodgers carefully studied video of him and were unable to come up with any definitive conclusions. Players on that Astros team later told him they watched how he brought the ball into his glove in the set position. With that in mind, Darvish rewatched Game 7. What he saw did not match up with what he heard.

Darvish was surprised by the allegations that surfaced this week in a story by the Athletic. Four people who were with the Astros in 2017, including pitcher Mike Fiers, said the team used a camera in the outfield to steal signs at home games.

Darvish wondered about Game 7 of the World Series, which was at Dodger Stadium.

“What’s been reported up to this point is that they used cameras at their home field, so I don’t know if there was anything like that,” Darvish said. “But what they were doing was so high-level that I can’t honestly say there’s no chance they were also doing it on the road.”

But Darvish didn’t want to overthink the possibilities.

“If you ask me if I got hit in Game 7 because they stole signs, I don’t think so,” he said. “The Astros have great players who don’t have to do that. So I think that whether or not they stole signs, the results wouldn’t have changed.”

UCLA BASKETBALL

Chris Smith had 16 points and eight rebounds, Tyger Campbell added 15 points, and UCLA defeated Nevada Las Vegas 71-54 on Friday night at Pauley Pavilion.

The Bruins (3-0) led by 22 points in the first half, when they shot 48% from the field and scored 18 points off the Runnin’ Rebels’ 10 turnovers.

UCLA made a season-high 10 three-pointers, led by Campbell’s three. The Bruins hit a combined 11 threes in their first two games.

They opened the game on a 19-5 run, including 14 unanswered points. Smith scored seven points and Cody Riley added four in the spurt.

SOCCER

Coach Gregg Berhalter and the U.S. men’s national team got the development and the result they were seeking, with Gyasi Zardes scoring twice and teenager Sergino Dest picking up an assist two minutes into his first competitive game with the U.S., leading a 4-1 rout of Canada in a Nations League group-play match.

Considering the opponent, a Canadian team riding a wave of momentum and leading the group after beating the U.S. last month for the first time in 34 years, it might have been the Americans’ most important victory of the year.

It was certainly the most emphatic, with the U.S. scoring three times in the opening 33 minutes and never looking back. And that not only rescued the Americans’ pride and earned Berhalter some welcome breathing room, but it also erased Canada’s goal-differential lead atop the group table, leaving the U.S. needing only a win over Cuba on Tuesday to advance to the tournament semifinals.

“We haven’t done anything yet,” Berhalter cautioned. “We had an objective to go to the next round. We’re not in the next round yet.”

—

Jorge Vergara, the mercurial owner of Mexican soccer club Chivas of Guadalajara and former owner of failed MLS club Chivas USA, died Friday after a heart attack. He was 64.

Vergara suffered cardiac failure while in New York City, his son Amaury said in a statement.

“With deep sadness and pain in my heart, I communicate to you that my father, Jorge Carlos Vergara Madrigal, passed from this life due to cardiac failure,” the younger Vergara wrote in Spanish.

“We honor my father the way he always taught us with his example: working day in and day out, taking care of others and reaching our dreams.”

CLIPPERS

If Thursday‘s game was a loss for the Clippers, it was also a sigh of relief.

Paul George was back. So was the team’s long-dormant three-point shooting.

George, the All-Star forward who missed the season’s first 11 games while recovering from offseason shoulder surgeries, absorbed contact while bouncing off defenders in the 132-127 loss to the Pelicans in New Orleans and felt no worse for the wear while scoring 33 points in 24 minutes, the fourth-highest-scoring debut in Clippers history.

“My body feels good,” George said. “I knew I was healthy and I knew I was 100%, shoulder-wise.”

UCLA FOOTBALL

Breaking down the on-field matchups for UCLA (4-5, 4-2) at No. 7 Utah (8-1, 5-1) today at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

Marquee matchup

UCLA running back Joshua Kelley vs. the Utah defense. Simply put, this is best versus best. Kelley leads the Pac-12 Conference in rushing with 107.6 yards per game, helping the Bruins surpass 200 yards on the ground in five consecutive games for the first time since 1978. He’s topped 100 yards in three consecutive games and has moved into 15th place on UCLA’s career rushing list with 2,104 yards in less than two full seasons. Standing in his way of another big game will be Utah’s best-in-the-nation run defense that is giving up only 56 yards per game and 2.45 yards per carry while holding eight of its last nine opponents under 100 yards rushing.

Read the rest of the matchups by clicking here.

UCLA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

All times Pacific. Radio: AM 1150

at Cincinnati 24, UCLA 14

San Diego State 23, at UCLA 14

Oklahoma 48, at UCLA 14

UCLA 67, at Washington State 63

at Arizona 20, UCLA 17

Oregon State 48, at UCLA 31

UCLA 34, at Stanford 16

at UCLA 42, Arizona State 32

at UCLA 31, Colorado 14

Nov. 16 at Utah, 5 p.m., Fox

Nov. 23 at USC, TBD

Nov. 30 vs. California, TBD

USC FOOTBALL

Breaking down the on-field matchups for USC (6-4, 5-2) at California (5-4, 2-4) on Saturday at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley.

Marquee matchup

USC freshman quarterback Kedon Slovis vs. the Cal secondary. No quarterback in the last 15 years of college football had a quarter quite like Slovis did last week in Tempe, where he lit up Arizona State for 279 yards and four touchdowns in the first 15 minutes. Slovis slowed from there, but it was a brief reminder of how good the freshman can be with USC’s offense clicking. He could have a harder time against a Cal pass defense that ranks among the best in the Pac-12. Just two quarterbacks have managed to hit the 250-yard mark against the Golden Bears and both needed 48 or more passes to get there.

Read the rest of the matchups by clicking here.

USC FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

All times Pacific. Radio: 790 KABC

USC 31, Fresno State 23

USC 45, Stanford 20

at BYU 30, USC 27 (OT)

at USC 30, Utah 23

at Washington 28, USC 14

at Notre Dame 30, USC 27

at USC 41, Arizona 14

USC 35, at Colorado 31

Oregon 56, at USC 24

USC 31, at Arizona State 26

Nov. 16 at California, 8 p.m., FS1

Nov. 23 vs. UCLA, TBD

NFL

The NFL has suspended Myles Garrett indefinitely without pay after the Cleveland Browns defensive end used a helmet to strike the uncovered head of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph.

In a statement released Friday morning, the league said Garrett’s suspension will be “at a minimum for the remainder of the regular season and postseason.” He was also fined an unspecified amount.

Garrett apologized later that morning in a statement released by the Browns, calling his actions “a terrible mistake.”

“I want to apologize to Mason Rudolph, my teammates, our entire organization, our fans and to the NFL,” Garrett said. “I know I have to be accountable for what happened, learn from my mistake and I fully intend to do so.”

TODAY’S LOCAL MAJOR SPORTS SCHEDULE

All times Pacific

Vegas at Kings, 1 p.m., FSW

Ducks at St. Louis, 5 p.m., FSW

Atlanta at Clippers, 7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Prime Ticket, AM 570

UCLA (football) at Utah, 5 p.m., Fox, AM 1150

USC (football) at California, 8 p.m., FS1, 790 KABC

USC (basketball) at Nevada, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network, 790 KABC

BORN ON THIS DATE

1924: Sprinter Mel Patton (d. 2014)

1946: Basketball player Jo Jo White (d. 2018)

1954: Golf caddie Bruce Edwards (d. 2004)

1956: Race car driver Terry Labonte

1959: Golfer Corey Pavin

1961: Boxer Frank Bruno

1962: Former Angel Chuck Finley

1963: Tennis player Zina Garrison

1964: Baseball player Dwight Gooden

1977: Figure skater Oksana Baiul

1982: Basketball player Amar’e Stoudemire

DIED ON THIS DATE

1987: Former Dodger Jim Brewer, 50

2009: Race horse trainer Robert J. Frankel, 68

AND FINALLY

Dwight Gooden strikes out the side in the 1984 All-Star game. Watch it here.

That concludes the newsletter for today. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, please email me at [email protected]. If you want to subscribe, click here.

A man was killed in an apparent homicide Friday evening near a Burger King in downtown Los Angeles, officials said.

Law enforcement responded to a call for backup from the city Fire Department about 6 p.m. at the intersection of Grand and Cesar Chavez avenues, at the border of Chinatown, officials said.

Police found a man in his 40s who had been stabbed multiple times, officials said. The man appeared to have been driving a taxi cab.

“There was one suspect seen fleeing from the location,” LAPD Sgt. Anthony Costello said.

Police are investigating the death and searching for the suspect. Officials described him as a 6-foot-tall, 200-pound Latino male with a dark beard and wearing a black hoodie.

According to the Homicide Report, The Times’ online database, 17 other people have been killed in the downtown area within the past 12 months.

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Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. It is Saturday, Nov. 16.

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Here’s a look at the top stories of the last week:

Top stories

Santa Clarita shooting. Thursday’s deadly shooting at Saugus High School unfolded over 16 seconds in which a student pulled out a gun in the quad area and opened fire, killing two classmates, wounding three others and fatally shooting himself, authorities said. As students were led off the grounds, one asked aloud a question surely on the minds of many others: “What kind of a world is this?”

“Go back to California.” A wave of newcomers from California to Boise, Idaho, is fueling a backlash among locals. One mayoral candidate even ran on the platform: Stop the California invasion.

Two L.A. MVPs. Cody Bellinger of the Dodgers won the NL MVP award on Thursday, while Mike Trout of the Angels won the AL award. The individual honors are wonderful, writes columnist Bill Plaschke, but they also highlight the teams’ failures to capitalize on them.

More UC students. The University of California plans to enroll 1,400 more California undergraduates next year with no tuition increase under a 2020-21 budget approved Thursday by the board of regents.

EV transformation. In an unlikely marriage of classic car culture and green technology, sophisticated hot-rodders — mostly men, mostly Californians — are cannibalizing crashed electric cars and using their batteries to create electrified sports cars and muscle cars.

High-speed divide. Even after a decade of abrupt U-turns for California’s high-speed rail project, state leaders are now split like never before. The argument boils down to where the project money can do the most good.

More USC deaths. Faced with the deaths of nine students since Aug. 24, USC administrators are engaged in a delicate balancing act as they notify students, offer mental health resources and try both to quell rumors and avoid triggering students in the midst of mental health crisis. Police investigators are looking into drug overdoses as a potential cause.

L.A.’s biggest problem. Homelessness is now an all-consuming issue in Los Angeles County, with 95% of voters calling it a serious or very serious problem, according to a new poll conducted for the Los Angeles Times. The near-unanimous opinion marks a sharp change from earlier surveys.

Sidelining the WGA. As Hollywood’s biggest labor dispute in a decade continues with no end in sight, some talent agencies have found a workaround: building shows around popular books, podcasts and English-language adaptations of foreign-language shows.

24 tiny faults. New research shows that the Ridgecrest earthquakes that began in July ruptured at least two dozen small faults. It’s the latest evidence of how small faults can join together to produce a large earthquake, and how those quakes can cover a wider area than expected.

Sports betting’s future. 18 Native American tribes have proposed an initiative to legalize sports betting in California. The filing of papers, led by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, comes just four months after state Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa) and Assemblyman Adam Gray (D-Merced) introduced a bill that would also put a sports betting measure on the 2020 ballot.

This week’s most popular stories in Essential California

1. A community in mourning. The Daily Trojan

2. How liberal or conservative is your community? Search every California city here. Sacramento Bee

3. Sir Rod Stewart has finally revealed the fruits of his other great passion — model railways. BBC News

4. Mysterious “high velocity” projectiles pepper cars in California. What’s going on? SLO Tribune

5. Decoding Devin Nunes’ opening statement at the impeachment hearing. Fresno Bee

ICYMI, here are this week’s great reads

Can a woman who is an artist ever just be an artist? The lives of two painters tell very different stories about what it takes to thrive in a medium historically dominated by men. New York Times

Meet the scientist who’s been counting California butterflies for 47 years and has no plans to stop: “Art Shapiro stands on the edge of a Chevron gas station in the north-central Sierra, sipping a large Pepsi and scanning the landscape for butterflies.” Los Angeles Times

From the archives: “Why did the harrowing personal essay take over the internet?” In a 2015 piece, Laura Bennett explores the rise of she calls the “First-Person Industrial Complex.” Slate

Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints, ideas and unrelated book recommendations to Julia Wick. Follow her on Twitter @Sherlyholmes. (And a giant thanks to the legendary Diya Chacko for all her help on the Saturday edition.)

He was the oldest of four brothers, a football player with a goofy grin. “A little guy with a big heart,” a friend said.

She was a cheerleader who loved fashion and brought out the best in other people. A friend remembered: “You would just smile looking at her.”

Dominic Blackwell, 14, and Gracie Anne Muehlberger, 15, were killed this week when a gunman opened fire at their high school in Santa Clarita. The two are now united by a tragedy that has become all too common on school campuses nationwide.

On Thursday morning, a 16-year-old student pulled a pistol from his backpack and began firing in the quad at Saugus High School. He wounded five students, then turned the gun on himself, officials said.

The shooter was pronounced dead Friday. The other three teenagers who were shot are expected to recover, doctors say.

By late Friday afternoon, the horror and shock of another school gave way to mourning in Santa Clarita.

Dozens gathered at a makeshift memorial at the city’s Central Park, just a short walk from the high school. Candles and teddy bears piled up on the grass around a pole from which an American flag flew at half-staff.

Sebastian Martinez, 12, placed a football on the grass in honor of Dominic, whom he played football with in a youth program.

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The boy arrived at the park just before nightfall with his father, Xavier Martinez, who had grown to know Dominic’s family through their sons’ friendship. Martinez said he spent most of Thursday with Dominic’s family.

“He was always smiling and laughing,” the older Martinez said of Dominic. “It’s so unfair.”

Dominic was remembered by friends and family as a jokester with a huge grin. His Instagram page includes the name “comedian,” a clear nod to his budding comedic persona.

Anthony Martinez, a student at Canyon High School, called Dominic not just his teammate, but his brother.

“He was always smiling, making people laugh, always positive, he was the sweetest kid ever,” Anthony wrote on Twitter. “We need more people like you.”

On a GoFundMe page, Dominic’s family remembered his “goofy laugh, cheesy smile, a huge, caring heart.”

“This world lost a bright, shining light,” the page reads. “He was taken from his family and friends in the most senseless of ways. His three brothers will miss their big brother greatly.”

On Thursday, Saugus High, home to 2,500 students, joined a long list of schools that have doubled as sites of mass shootings. Police said the shooting started and ended in just 16 seconds.

One victim, a 14-year-old boy, was treated at a hospital and released Thursday afternoon.

Two girls, 15 and 14, remain at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills and are now in the same room, surrounded by their families.

The 15-year-old was shot below the navel, authorities said. The bullet lodged in her hip and was removed by doctors. The 14-year-old had wounds to her left shoulder and lower abdomen, doctors said Friday. Both girls are expected to be released within the next few days.

Investigators think the attack was planned but said they do not believe specific students were targeted.

Gracie had celebrated a birthday on Oct. 10. She was described by classmates as sweet and fun, someone who had a momentous impact in her short life. Alexa Olsen, a freshman at Saugus High School who was in a dance class with Gracie, remembered her as a goofy, fun girl who cheered her on.

When the girls made eye contact in the middle of practice as they danced to jazz, Gracie would make funny faces and the two would burst out laughing, Alexa said. When they made a mistake, the two would laugh together and keep on dancing.

“She was so nice and kind to everyone,” said Alexa, 14. “You would just smile looking at her.”

Chloe White, 17, who helped coach the girls cheerleading team, said Gracie had a bright personality and always looked as if she enjoyed being onstage. She was quick to throw out encouragement to her teammates as they got ready to perform.

“She was always telling people they could do it,” Chloe said. “ ’You got this, guys, you’re going to be great.’ ”

Gracie’s parents said in a GoFundMe campaign that they are searching for a way to memorialize their daughter. The account raised more than $9,000 in its first hour.

“It is with the most unexplainable brokenness that we share our Gracie went to be with Jesus on Thursday morning,” the page reads. “Our vivacious, funny, loyal, light of our lives, Cinderella, the daughter we always dreamed to have, fiercely strong and lover of all things fashionable — was our best friend. She is going to be missed more than words will ever be able to express.”

The Muehlbergers concluded the post with a message to Gracie: “We will love you always Sweetpea.”

Times staff writer Hannah Fry contributed to this report.

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The crisis was over, the danger had passed, and Saugus High students were wandering bewildered through a sea of squad cars and news vans, trying to wrap their minds around what had just transpired on the campus quad.

“I never thought this would happen in Santa Clarita.” That familiar refrain was all many students could think of to say when a newscaster stuck a microphone in their face.

They’d felt safe in the cosseted security of their close-knit suburban community, the hometown of so many law enforcement officers.. Now, they were those kids who’d lived through a campus shooting. They were suddenly swathed in vulnerability.

“It doesn’t seem like this is something that should happen here,” a sophomore named Adriana told a reporter. She’d heard the gunshots from her home, as she was setting off for campus. Hours later, I could hear the mix of fear and outrage in her voice.

“I’m honestly terrified to go to school. You never really know if something like this could happen again.” She didn’t feel prepared for this, she said.

But how on earth do you prepare for the prospect that one of your classmates — an ordinary kid, a Boy Scout who played chess, ran cross country, had a girlfriend, took AP classes — would begin the school day by pulling a gun from his backpack and shooting into a crowd on the quad?

How do you protect yourself from something you can’t predict and don’t understand?

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***

That’s a question we’ve been asking ever since the shocking massacre 20 years ago at Colorado’s Columbine High School. The murder of a teacher and 12 students by a pair of misfit classmates on a deadly rampage jangled us free from the notion of school as a safe space.

That tragedy is blamed by experts for sparking a wave of school shootings that have taken more than 350 lives, shows no sign of ending and spawned an industry of school-shooter protection programs to prepare for what was once unthinkable.

“Students today should be as familiar with active shooter protocols as they are with fire drills or protocols for earthquakes and other natural disasters,” says USC professor Erroll Southers, a former FBI agent and director of the university’s Safe Communities Institute. For the last 20 years, he’s been visiting schools across the country, assessing everything from where the classroom windows are to how many kids sit alone in the lunchroom.

In some ways, protecting students has become its own sort of arms race, with schools going to such extremes that school-shooter training might actually traumatize the students it’s intended to protect.

“There’s a school of thought that you have to enact sensorial training drills — firing blank guns and tackling individuals — to make it a real life experience,” said Melissa Reeves, a Winthrop University professor who helped write a national curriculum for school crisis interventions. “But we don’t light a fire in the hallway to do fire drills.”

In fact, that kind of visceral experience can provoke such an intense emotional response that students wind up more scared than prepared.

Most schools prepare teachers and students as Saugus High did, with routine “lockdown” drills, often built on a hierarchical mantra of survival options: Run, hide, fight.

Critics worry that’s not enough to equip young people; that students will panic and freeze when a real crisis occurs.

But the response of Saugus High students and teachers to Thursday’s crisis suggests otherwise. They married instinct with preparation and did their campus and community proud.

I watched their stories unfold in news interviews on a day of relentless television coverage. Their presence of mind astounded me.

Students who could, fled the campus at the sound of gunshots and shouted warnings to others. There was panic and confusion, but there was no stampede.

Teachers guided kids away from danger, yanked them into classrooms, shoved them into safe spaces, and calmly issued orders — turn those cellphones off — that teenagers efficiently obeyed.

Behind locked doors, desks became barriers, fire extinguishers were marshaled as weapons, and students armed themselves with scissors, “just in case you have to fight back,” one boy told reporters.

And in the eerie quiet of a choir practice room, an injured student who’d stumbled in bloody from the quad assured worried schoolmates that she would be OK — as a teacher dressed her two bullet wounds with supplies from the classroom’s gunshot wound kit, lamenting only that she didn’t have a second kit.

***

The mere idea that classrooms today need gunshot wound kits makes me want to cry.

But that’s our new reality in this country. And no neighborhood can expect to be immune.

I could sense the students’ soul-searching as they tried to answer the question that virtually every reporter asked: How do you feel?

This was unfamiliar territory for them. They’d grown up in a community considered one of the safest cities for children in America. They went to school with kids they’d known all their lives.

And there they were, walking off campus in a single-file line, many in tears, with their arms above their heads like criminals on TV, being herded away from a crime scene.

They felt scared, confused, grateful, angry, stunned. And all the grown-ups had to offer them in the moment were hugs and refrains of “Thank God you are OK.”

I couldn’t stop thinking about Adriana casting about for some sign that things could be made OK, longing for the kind of protections that urban schools are trying to get rid of.

“We have open gates,” she complained. “We don’t check IDs. There’s no metal detectors. Maybe we need metal detectors.”

But who wants schools to look like penitentiaries?

“You could put all the physical protectors in place … and still there’s no way we can stop everything bad from happening,” said Reeves, a former president of the National Assn. of School Psychologists. “The more you make it like a fortress, the more they feel unsafe.”

Her advice has nothing to do with searches or equipment: “We’ve got to deal with this on the front end with kids, so they’re not feeling so hopeless and angry and desperate.”

It seems to me we’re all feeling a little desperate right now, wishing there was one right answer — just do this and you will be safe.

But that doesn’t really exist, inside or outside of school, in our world today.