SANTA ANITA’S WINTER MEET OPENING DAY MOVED TO SATURDAY, DEC. 28, AS WET FORECAST INTO THURSDAY KEYS TWO-DAY POSTPONEMENT
SANTA ANITA’S WINTER MEET OPENING DAY MOVED TO SATURDAY, DEC. 28, AS WET FORECAST INTO THURSDAY KEYS TWO-DAY POSTPONEMENT RUNHAPPY MALIBU STAKES HEADLINES 11 RACE PROGRAM FEATURING SEVEN STAKES RACES; FIRST POST TIME SET AT 11 A.M. ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2019)–With significant rain expected to continue through Thursday, Santa Anita Park previously announced that it has shifted its 2019-20 Winter Meet opening day two days to Saturday, Dec. 28. Santa Anita was hit with heavy rains overnight and into Monday morning and additional rain is forecast into Thursday. Accordingly, with equine and rider safety of paramount concern, Santa Anita made the decision which will now result in a blockbuster 11-race card Saturday, with first post time at 11 a.m.The traditional opening day feature race will be the Grade I, $300,000 Runhappy Malibu Stakes at seven furlongs. This marks the beginning of a partnership honoring the 2015 Malibu Stakes winner Runhappy, who raced medication-free throughout his career. That year’s champion sprinter, Runhappy now stands at stud at Claiborne Farm in Paris, KY. James “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, who campaigned champion Runhappy, was very supportive of the opening day shift to Saturday.“With equine safety and the most progressive medication policies in America, Santa Anita is doing the right things in making this move to Saturday and for leading the way in reducing race-day medications,” said McIngvale. “The Malibu is an important race and Runhappy’s win is one we’ll forever cherish. This is the direction American racing must go in and we are very proud to be a part of it here at Santa Anita.”Hall of Fame conditioner Richard Mandella, who will saddle one of Saturday’s marquee horses, Omaha Beach, in the Grade I, $300,000 Runhappy Malibu Stakes at seven furlongs, also was supportive of the opening day shift to Saturday.“It should make for a big opening weekend, which we need,” said Mandella this morning. “Running the Runhappy Malibu two days later than expected won’t make much difference to Omaha Beach. He’s as good as he can be.”The Runhappy Malibu will be complemented by the Grade I, $300,000 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs, along with the Grade II, $200,000 Mathis Brothers Mile (turf), the Grade II, $200,000 San Antonio and the $75,000 Lady of Shamrock Stakes. In addition to all of the stakes that were originally scheduled for Thursday, two additional graded races, the Grade I, $300,000 American Oaks, for 3-year-old fillies at a mile and one quarter on turf and the Grade III Robert J. Frankel, for fillies and mares three and up at 1 1/8 miles on turf, will be included among a total of seven stakes on Saturday.There have been substantial advancements since Santa Anita opened last year. Along with modernizing medication policies plus instituting new racing and training protocols, earlier this month, the Southern California Equine Foundation in the Santa Anita barn area took delivery of a standing PET Scan targeting detection of pre-existing conditions. A standing MRI machine is set to arrive in early January.First post time for Saturday’s 11-race program is at 11 a.m., with admission gates opening at 9 a.m. All fans will receive Santa Anita’s traditional wall calendar free with paid admission. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.
PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are fighting a European pincer movement that could lead to the extinction of the League Cup.The Prem’s Big Six appear to be united against plans hatched by the European Clubs Association to revamp club competition from 2024.3 This is how the new Champions League format would workUnder the latest Uefa proposals, teams in the Champions League would play 14 games in the group phase and 21 to win the competition.With the Prem determined to keep 20 teams and the ECA having backed away from demanding weekend dates for the new competition, the only way English teams could play those games would be by withdrawing from the Carabao Cup or fielding youth teams.The clubs fear that would spell the end for the 59-year competition.Uefa’s new draft plans have been designed to buy off the reservations of major European clubs in Spain, Germany, Italy and France and also get the smaller nations on board.CUP COULD BECOME EXTINCTEuropean chiefs envisage 128 teams taking part across three European competitions – Champions League, Europa League and a third-tier European competition – with the current total of 407 matches increased to 647.While the 20 Prem clubs rejected the ECA’s initial proposals which would have ring-fenced a European elite, a stance backed by 18 of the 20 clubs in La Liga, all of Serie A and the Bundesliga and all but Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, the new plans will have wider appeal.It is understood there was continued opposition from the Prem members of the ECA — the Big Six plus Newcastle, Everton and Leicester — to the ideas outlined at a recent meeting in London.Uefa and the ECA are seeking to move forward to a concrete proposal by November.Next month’s ECA general assembly meeting could see the majority of European clubs come on board but the Prem sides are ready to fight.3 This is how the new Europa League format could lookLatest football newsSILVA’S GOLDEN GIRLModel Ines Tomaz has been helping Bernardo Silva through quarantineGossipCROWD RETURNFA Cup final ‘may see 20,000 at Wembley in trial allowing some fans at games’CommentPHIL THOMASDiving and whining was never a good look and will seem worse after lockdownExclusive’I’M IN A BAD WAY’Ex-England star Kenny Sansom talks for first time since being attackedExclusiveBOURNE AGAINHowe says Cherries are stronger after lockdown with FIVE fit-again starsExclusiveSWAN THAT GOT AWAYSwansea wanted £3m Davies three years ago but couldn’t get work permitA Prem insider told SunSport: “This is a sign the biggest clubs recognise the importance of English football as a whole.“They are not fighting for themselves — they would potentially earn more money from Europe.“But they know it would damage the Premier League, the EFL, even the National League. It is about helping to keep the whole game alive.”3 Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Man City manager Pep Guardiola are believed to be behind their clubs’ decisions to fight the European pincer movement threatening the League CupCredit: ReutersTottenham, Chelsea, Liverpool or Man City could face Champions League ‘group of death’ in next Thursday’s draw
JOSE MOURINHO summed up the latest VAR farce – laughing in disbelief as Manchester City won a penalty after a TWO-MINUTE delay.It sparked an amazing spell including Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris saving Ilkay Gundogan’s spot-kick, another VAR referral for a tangle in the penalty follow-up and a 15-man melee.5 Jose Mourinho grins and bear it as Man City win a penalty after a long delay55 What can you do? Jose Mourinho reacts to the latest VAR controversy5Tottenham boss Mourinho was stunned when ref Mike Dean eventually gave a spot-kick after video replays suggested Serge Aurier made contact with tumbling City striker Sergio Aguero.Mourinho reclined back on the bench, almost smirking, as he assessed the long wait and hugely-controversial decision in the Premier League clash.But Lloris then leapt to his left to keep out Gundogan’s penalty.Replays actually showed the French keeper was well off his line at the time.But Dean never checked on VAR for a possible retake.HEATED DISPUTEEven more dramatically, as Lloris scrambled to get the loose ball, Raheem Sterling fell under the stopper’s arms – just as the ball was heading over the goal-line.More than a dozen players became embroiled in a heated dispute – Spurs defender Toby Alderweireld picking up a yellow card – amid another wait for a VAR penalty verdict.And when the decision was no spot-kick, Mourinho clearly wanted Sterling booked for what would have been his second yellow – – and thus red-carded.The England frontman appeared to have been touched by Lloris’ sprawling arms after the ball past them – but went down very easily, irking Mourinho.most read in footballTHROUGH ITRobbie Keane reveals Claudine’s father was ’50-50′ in coronavirus battleTOP SELLERGavin Whelan has gone from League of Ireland to David Beckham’s InstagramPicturedAN EYEFULMeet Playboy model and football agent Anamaria Prodan bidding to buy her own clubExclusiveRIYAD RAIDMan City’s Riyad Mahrez has three luxury watches stolen in £500,000 raidI SAW ROORodallega saw Rooney ‘drinking like madman’ & Gerrard ‘on bar dancing shirtless’NEXT STEPJonny Hayes set to move to English Championship having been let go by CelticMAKE YOUR DEBUT Bet £5 get £20 in free bets for new customers at LadbrokesSocial media, though, lapped up the Portuguese manager’s reactions.One fan labelled his antics: “The most Mourinho photo ever. Box office”.And, predictably, another said: “Absolute scenes”.5 VAR was even called on after Hugo Lloris saved the first penalty from Ilkay Gundogan – but this challenge on Raheem Sterling was ruled no spot-kickJose Mourinho has great fun interviewing himself about transfers at Tottenham press conference
Nigel Owens was called in to referee an unprecedented training session between the Six Nations rivals in Bristol on Monday.England scrum coach Hatley said there was no shortage of intensity and thinks both sides can reap the rewards ahead of the autumn internationals.Hatley said: “It was good, very worthwhile. Obviously it is good to get live competition early on in the week and it was a very worthwhile session, a lot to be gained from it.”The way we’re trying to drive training, we want to make it as unbelievably competitive as possible, so I suppose it is the non-familiarity of it all – there were different players that you don’t scrummage against week in, week out.”There was a little bit of an edge but nothing serious, I think both sides took a lot from it. It is a training aide to help us prepare for Argentina [on Saturday] so there was a good edge to it.”We got what we were looking to get out from it with things that we’ve been looking at in Portugal and preparing for.”Obviously everything is setting up to play against Argentina, who are a good set-piece team with a good scrum and lineout, so that is what today was handy for.” Photo Getty Images. Caption: England scrum coach Neil Hatley
NPNG will be sending a team to qualify for the 2017 World Youth Cup to be held from July 8-16 at Botswana.PNG must finish in the top to qualify for the World Cup.NPNG president Julienne Leka-Maliaki said as far as our high performance program is concerned the U21 team have commenced preparations with a train on squad.She said this may be the only big international event for the girls but in terms of lead up to that it takes about eight months to prepare.“We are working on a program as pre competition events prior to the qualifier.“Our focus is high performance and we will be preparing a very strong team because it is the feeder into the senior national team Pepes going forward,” said Maliaki.She added that a lot of prominence will be given to the U21 girls’ preparations.
Hunters returned to Port Moresby today after defeating Cutters 34-20 last Saturday night at Mackay in round five of the Intrust Super Cup 2016 season.Coach Michael Marum said on arrival that the win was good for the team despite a lot of traveling leading up to the match.Marum said everyone played their part to achieve victory.“It was good to see most players putting in extra effort with the bench players coming in as well.“Our major injury concern is Nickson Borana with an ankle injury, who went off the field in the second half, but we’ve covered his position well,” Marum said.He added that a lot of work still needs to be done in the defense and attack and a lot of improvement is needed.
Alone Enes Ünal prevented the victory of Leganés in Fox in the first game of 2020. And the pickers entered as a motorcycle in the game and the Valladolid were overwhelmed. In the first three minutes Oscar He tested Masip, Omeruo headed out and, on the third, Braithwaite culminated a sensational against the pass of En Nesiry, with the collaboration of Masip, leaving the Pucelana defense portrayed. The premises recovered quickly. An inside pass to Guardiola allowed the Murcia to reach the bottom line and put a ball to the heart of the area where Enes Ünal appeared to push the ball to the bottom of the net. Tables, again, but it was short-lived, because a new internship, this time by the left wing, ended up in a Rosales center, which after a rejection came to Roque Mesa that beat the pucelano goal again. In 12 minutes, three goals. And then the match stopped. It is true that the locals began to dominate, but without danger. Joaquin tried to surprise Cuéllar from afar and Ünal finished off, but the danger of pickling speed continued to harm the Pucelanos. Braithwaite slipped between Olivas and Antoñito and he met Masip, but this time yes, the goal made a great stop. The Leganés was comfortable and there was no problem with a Valladolid that only from afar was looking to harm Cuéllar, like Guardiola, who, with his launch, made the ball touch the stick. “It has been an entertaining game for the amateur, but difficult for the coaches, because it has been uncontrolled and suffered, and there were complicated situations to solve, since they created many problems, but in the end a point has been added,” he added.Finally, Sergio González indicated that “the whole team has been fine, not only Ünal – who did the double -” and that is why “Happy for the block, not on a personal level, since that, in a team, is secondary.”That variation in the schemes “serves” because “when new things are proposed, and they take effect, that should remain in the possibilities folder”, while insisting on assessing the point achieved and “and taking stock of the first round between week”. -EFEAguirre: “The tie doesn’t like anyone but it’s fair”The coach of C.D Leganés, Javier Aguirre, explained that “the tie does not like anyone”, but in the end “it was the right thing”, because both teams tried to search, with their tools, to win, but neither was able to get it and the tables have been “fun” for the fans.Questioned about the delay in making the changes, the Mexican coach warned that the team “I was comfortable, and when things are going well there is no reason to change them” and, when Guido entered, the 1-3 was sought, but then the tie came and the variations in defense were caused by physical issues.Regarding the treatment received by Pichu Cuéllar, who may have played at Real Valladolid, Aguirre indicated that “He is a player with many boards that is not affected by what happens around and, in this case, the fans are sovereign and can do whatever they deem appropriate.”He also spoke of Braithwaite, whose “technical gestures are of a real level” and, he said, “he could kill the game up to three times, but he could not.” Although he considers that “he could play in a larger team”, he is happy in Leganés and “training at ease”.“I don’t want to highlight anyone, because I’m happy with everyone because we could win, with that last occasion that Guido had after Masip’s rejection, but Valladolid also made a great effort and the draw has been fair “, he insisted.Finally, Aguirre commented that “he reinforces” the fact that “the team knows what he wants, points are added and he gains confidence in the game and day to day.”And, as for the arbitration proceedings, which did not punish a possible penalty by Salisu on Braithwite, he clarified that he never speaks against the members and will continue without doing so: “The referees have a difficult job. You have to let them work and respect their work “, he concluded, before praising the” great work “of his” colleague and friend “, Sergio González. -EFE ChangesSandro (57 ‘, Toni Villa), Michael (58 ‘, Javi Moyano), Guido Carrillo (79 ‘, Oscar Rodriguez), Tarin (83 ‘, Omeruo), Aitor Ruibal (85 ‘, Rosales), Boiling (92 ‘, Antoñito) CardsReferee: Juan Martínez MunueraVAR Referee: Jesús Gil ManzanoJonathan Silva (6 ‘, Yellow) Roque Mesa (57 ‘, Yellow) Rubén Alcaraz (67 ‘, Yellow) Sergi Guardiola (85 ‘, Yellow) Enes Unal (89 ‘, Yellow Sergio: “With the second goal they left us grogui”Real Valladolid coach Sergio González said that Although the team “came out cold, fearful and shrunk” by the feeling that “it was the final game”, which has “reduced” them, was able to “react and improve” after the changes made.That is why he indicated that he is worried “to generate excessive responsibility, because it seemed like a life or death match, and that has affected mentally in the first part”, while the Leganés “went well and connected and, although he managed to tie, with the second goal they left us grogui “.In his opinion, “with the change of system, the players were released, they were better placed and found better feelings” and, since both teams were able to win, he believes that The result “has been fair.” In the second part, the pucelanos knew how to control more the careers of the pickles and with the change of formation and the entrance of Sandro and Míchel encircled the goal of Cuéllar It took only 15 minutes to go to the ground and begin to have “discomfort” in their twins which despaired the blanquivioletas and the stands. In this way, Sandro headed out, before Unal rehearsed his second goal. He nodded once, twice and in the third he put the center of Salisu to tie again. Then, the Valladolid people wanted more, but keeping their backs so as not to lose the point that cost them so much to recover. He approached the goal of Cuéllar and Sandro could score, but the goal was ahead of the forward, while in the opposite goal Carrillo headed out before the play that could change the game. In Nesyri he faced Masip, but the goal won one on one and in the rejection Carrillo crashed the ball in Joaquin, under the goal. Goals0-1, 3 ‘: Braithwaite, 1-1, 7 ‘: Enes Unal, 1-2, 12 ‘: Roque Mesa, 2-2, 78 ‘: Enes Unal
Image: Reuters The Spanish handball team has won its ticket for the semifinals of the European Championship after defeating Belarus on Monday (28-37) in its third meeting of the ‘Main Round’, and the first place of Group I will be played next Wednesday before Croatia.Led by Ferran Solé (7) and supported by an excellent Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas, the ‘Hispanics’ did the first part of their duties and will look for a victory before the Balkan team that guarantees a more affordable crossing for the penultimate round of the tournament. Spain will play Wednesday first place against Croatia
Dalian Yifang Midfield playerBelgium In addition, he has met many people who were when he was at Atlético until 2018: “Everything has gone very well, they have received me very well, the welcome has been perfect, although it is easy because I know many and I am one of them. It’s great. “And he sent a message to the swollen mattress:” I’m going to give everything to the fans, the group and the club. It is one of the best hobbies, I have not played in many stadiums where there is so much atmosphere. It is spectacular and hopefully they receive me as the group received me. Aupa Atleti! “ Carrasco, winter signing of Atlético, has had a most intense day. In the morning he joined the training and in the afternoon he was included in his first call. In addition, he made his first statements as a rojiblanco footballer, through the media of the club. “I am very excited to return home, very happy to come back here, “the international started. Carrasco The Belgian returns to Atlético two years after his departure to China. Now, he has made an assessment of the first hours of this second stage in the club. “I hope I can help the team the most. They have received me very well and I hope that the thing goes well. I’m very hungry to wear this shirt and play again for Atleti. I am very happy to return and everything will go ahead. “
The former English player who once passed through the ranks of Real Madrid, Michael Owen, has starred in an event that rarely occurs on social networks. Usually soccer players receive in Twitter many messages of hate from rival followers and love from their own followers. But in this case, he has been a follower who uttered insults to the winner of the Golden Ball during years. TO Steve he liked the Liverpool and his signing for the Manchester United He didn’t like it at all. For that reason, for years he was criticizing him, but now he has decided to apologize to the former player for his actions: “Michael Owen, you probably won’t see this but I wanted to apologize for the insults I’ve sent you over the years since you left Liverpool and joined Manchester United. You were my childhood idol and it hurt me to see that you were going to Manchester United. It was out of me. You probably wouldn’t see them, but I’m sorry anyway. “And as expected, the English soon answered the fan accepting his apologies and take the opportunity to send a message to all the ‘haters’ who use the networks: “Hi Steve. In these times of horrible hostility and ill-treatment I just wanted to say thank you for your message. I hope many others see it and realize that good people are much more valuable than those who abuse them. Respect.”