Headline Sports podcast with Barbara Mason: Calif Legislature looking into legalizing sports betting;Wallace insists rope was noose (see photo) ; plus more

@bobpockrass photo: NASCAR’s only black driver Bubba Wallace’s crew member found a noose in his garage stall on Sunday night. Wallace had pushed for banning the Confederate flag symbols at NASCAR races. The FBI concluded from video evidence that the noose had been at stall number four since October 2019 long before Wallace was booked for that stall last weekend it was later determined it was not a noose but a door pull. Wallace on Don Lemon Tonight on CNN said he knows what a noose looks like adding, “tied in 2019 or now it was a noose.”

On Headline Sports podcast with Barbara:

#1 California Legislature is considering legalizing sports betting but casinos are putting up a fight as it would cut into their sports book business.

#2 Bubba Wallace NASCAR’s only black driver who two weeks ago pushed for banning the Confederate flag at NASCAR events. A member of Wallace’s crew found a noose in his garage stall late Sunday afternoon. After bringing in 15 FBI agents for an investigation into who left the noose in garage stall four where Wallace was at Talladega. Video evidence showed that the noose had been there since October 2019 and it was determined it was not a noose but a door pull.  No one would have known that Wallace would have been at that stall going forward. The FBI said they will not pursue federal charges. Wallace insisted on CNN’s Don Lemon Tonight on Tuesday night that it was a noose.

#3 Webb Simpson won the RBC Heritage on Sunday after finishing 7 under Par 64 at Harbour Town at Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.

#4 Tiz the Law set a record winning the Belmont Stakes last Saturday in what is one of the few live sports in the Coronavirus era. Tiz the Law with his victory became the first New York bred horse to win at the Belmont in 138 years.

#5 After someone who visited the San Francisco Giants training facility in Scottsdale who was Covid-19 positive the facility was immediately shut down on Friday night. The person was a family member and several other individuals are being tested who had come in contact with this positive tested person. Teams who have closed facilities Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies and the Giants.

Join Barbara for Headline Sports each Tuesday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

2020 Belmont Stakes: 138 years of waiting is over Tiz the Law NY bred horse wins Belmont

CNN.com still: It wasn’t even close as Tiz the Law wins by four lengths becoming the first New York bred to win the Belmont in 138 years

By Jessica Kwong

Tiz the Law made history at the 152nd Belmont Stakes on Saturday afternoon, as the first New York-bred horse to win on home turf in 138 years. The hometown boy was the 4-5 favorite and proved himself, winning with ease. Jockey Manny Franco, who competed in Belmont for the first time, could be heard screaming with joy.

The last New York-bred horse to win the Belmont Stakes was Forester in 1882.

Trained by Barclay Tagg, Tiz the Law accelerated at the final turn and no one could catch up to him near the finish line. He completed the race in 1:46.53. Dr Post, trained by Todd Pletcher, came in second and Max Player, trained by Linda Rice, took third place.

Tiz the Law won by four lengths and paid $3.60 to win, $2.90 to place and $2.60 to show. Dr Post had 7-1 odds and paid $5.80 to place and $4.20 to show. Max Player had 14-1 odds and paid $5.20 to show. Ten horses competed.

The $1 million event took place at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, without spectators because of Covid-19 restrictions and social distancing requirements.

Originally slated for June 6, the Belmont Stakes is traditionally the final leg of the Triple Crown. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it became the first of the three-race series, with the Kentucky Derby following on September 5 and the Preakness on October 3. It is a “backwards Triple Crown,” according to Jack Knowlton, who heads up the Sackatoga Stable partnership which owns Belmont Stakes.

Another change this year for the Belmont Stakes was its length. It is typically the longest race in the Triple Crown, but it was cut down from 1 1/2 miles to 1 1/8 miles to account for the shorter time frame the 3-year-old horses had to build stamina.

Tiz the Law earned Tagg and owners Sackatoga Stable their first Belmont Stakes victory.

“What a win!” Sackatoga Stable tweeted. “We couldn’t have done this without the amazing Barclay Tagg, @robinsmullen [Tagg’s longtime assistant] & @jockeyfranco. Best team in horse racing.”

Tiz the Law’s father is Constitution and his grandfather is Tapit, who fathered three Belmont Stakes winners. Tiz the Law has had six career starts and just one loss. Next up for Tiz the Law is the Kentucky Derby in two-and-a-half months.

The Belmont Stakes finishing order is as follows:

1. Tiz the Law

2. Dr Post

3. Max Player

4. Pneumatic

5.Tap It to Win

6.Sole Volante

7. Modernist

8. Farmington Road

9. Fore Left Jungle Runner

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Belmont Stakes one of the very few sports live; MLB negotiations

Tap with jockey John Valazquez is a favorite to win 6-1 in the Belmont Stakes this Saturday at American Grade Stakes Race (AP file photo)

On Headline Sports pod with London:

#1 London one of the very few sports that are live and with little doubt draw millions of fans who are starved for sports action of any kind the Belmont Stakes this Saturday the first of the Triple Crown races.

#2 The Belmont normally is the third race of the Triple Crown behind the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. The other differences in the Belmont as expected no spectators and the length will be 1 1/8 miles instead of the traditional 1 1/2 miles.

#3 Somewhere between 60-70 games the haggling continues with the MLB and the players union, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred proposed 60 games with full prorated pay to MLB players rep Tony Clark and the union has come back saying 70 games and they would have a deal.

#4 MLB also wants to have expanded playoffs with an extra round also with sponsors on the jerseys. These changes although nothing is officially announced are expected to be permanent to help raise revenue.

#5 Some of the NBA players are questioning if coming back is the right thing to do and not because of Coronavirus issues but is it the right thing to do with such racial strife happening in the US?

London joins Sportstalk each Friday for Headline Sports at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sir Winston wins the Belmont Stakes

Photo credit: @BelmontStakes

By: Ana Kieu

The 151st running of the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets was a Grade 1, $1.5 million race at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. on Saturday. Sir Winston won the Belmont Stakes, but the victory en route to the Triple Crown was crazy. Sir Winston held off the favored Tacitus by a length.

The win gave trainer Mark Casse the final two jewels in the showcase for three-year-old thoroughbreds. He won the Preakness with War of Will, who was expected to battle Tacitus in the 1 1/2 mile Belmont.

Instead, Casse’s other’s colt took the lead after a ground-saving ride by Joel Rosario.

However, it wasn’t really a shock to Casse.

“I said all week he was doing really well,” Casse told ESPN. “He had a race over the track. What can I say? It’s just exciting.”

Sir Winston, who made his Triple Crown debut, finished second in the Peter Pan Stakes, the traditional prep for the Belmont.

Rosario rode him for the first time in that race, and the two put on a show Saturday in front of a crowd of 56,217, earning $800,000 for owner Tracy Farmer.

Long-shot Joevia finished third and Tax was fourth.

The Triple Crown grind caught up to Preakness winner War of Will, who ran in all three races. He finished ninth in the 10-horse field.

“I could see where War of Will was struggling a little bit,” Casse told ESPN. “He looked like maybe he was a little flat today.”

The Belmont capped an entertaining Triple Crown highlighted by the disqualification of Maximum Security in the Kentucky Derby. It sparked interest in thoroughbred racing despite no possibility of the third Triple Crown winner in five years, coming on the heels of Justify in 2018 and American Pharoah in 2015.

Last but not least, the Belmont was a positive event with no tragedies on the track, and most importantly, no horse deaths.

War of Will bounces back in the Preakness Stakes

Photo credit: @PreaknessStakes

By: Ana Kieu

After clashing with Maximum Security in the Kentucky Derby, War of Will bounced back in the Preakness Stakes at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. War of Will’s jockey was Tyler Gaffalione.

Today was the day for War of Will! pic.twitter.com/Qf8ylTY4xe

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 18, 2019

This year’s Preakness Stakes was rather unusual. It was the first to not include a Kentucky Derby winner in 23 years. Maximum Security was initially this year’s Kentucky Derby winner until the controversial disqualification occurred at the hands of the officials. Maximum Security didn’t race. Country House, the designated winner, also didn’t race. That being said, there was no contender for the Triple Crown.

Among the horses War of Will held off was a jockey-less one, who threw his rider off right out of the gate. Fans in attendance and at home were shocked by that particular moment.

At the 144th Preakness Stakes Winners Party, Horseware provided the coolers for the winning horses, including War of Will. Everyone at the Winners Party toasted to the glorious success achieved Saturday.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast with Barbara Mason: Decision at Kentucky Derby impacts the event; Warriors-Rockets could be evenly matched teams; plus more

Photo credit: apnews.com

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 How much of an impact was the decision of the officials at the Kentucky Derby to eliminate and disqualify Maximum Security and allow Country House the winner? The first time a winning horse has ever been disqualified in 145 years.

#2 With the Golden State Warriors, you never know what team is going to show up, They handled the Houston Rockets in first two games with a four-point win in Game 1 and a six-point win in Game 2, but it was Game 3 where they lost to the Rockets by five and lost another one in game 4 on Wednesday night as the series is tied 2-2.

#3 After having two comeback victories against the Cincinnati Reds during their four-game series, the San Francisco Giants split with the Reds, losing Monday. Giants starter Drew Pomeranz got lit up in 1.2 innings, nine hits and seven runs. While striking out two batters, Pomeranz continues to labor in the 12-4 loss.

#4 The LPGA Mediheal Championship was held at Lake Merced in Daly City from April 29th through May 5th. The leaderboard showed Sei Young Kim taking the $270,000 winnings finishing on top with a par 281 on Sunday.

#5 The San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche battled in Game 6. The Avs came away with a 4-3 win to tie the series in overtime 3-3, to force a Game 7, bringing the game back to San Jose.

Barbara Mason is filling in for Amaury Pi-Gonzalez for That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast at www,sportsradioservice.com

After an objection review, Country House declared winner of the Kentucky Derby

Photo credit: @KentuckyDerby

By: Ana Kieu

For horse racing fans, the Kentucky Derby is the greatest two minutes in sports. This year’s was Country House. Last year’s winner was Justify.

Rain poured in Louisville, Ky. for about an hour before the post time. As a result, officials were forced to downgrade the track condition to sloppy for the third year in a row.

Despite a muddy track at Churchill Downs, the 65-1 Country House won the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. Country House, however, was technically not supposed to be the winner. The favorite, Omaha Beach, was pulled out of the race days ago.

There was a controversial objection on the field and the officials reviewed a light touch between Maximum Security and Country House. Jockeys briefed while the judges watched replays of the race. The official results and payouts were determined after the completed objection review.

The initial winner was Maximum Security, who was immediately disqualified after the objective review. Maximum Security was 4-1.

During the objection review process, Maximum Security jockey Luis Saez told NBC that he did all he could to help his horse stay straight after he became scared of the muddy surface.

Maximum Security trainer Jason Servis said, “He straightened up right away and I don’t think it affected the outcome of the race.” Servis reportedly prayed to the racing gods.

This was the first time in Kentucky Derby history where the horse who finished first was disqualified.

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: Gould insists on leaving 49ers, won’t report to practice; Kluber fractures forearm from line drive; plus more

Photo credit: @theScore

On the Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Former Chicago Bears kicker Kevin Butler has warned San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould to be careful what you wish for in Gould not reporting to practice for the 49ers. He has asked for the team to release him so he could kick for the Chicago Bears and be closer to his home in Chicago. The 49ers refuse and have told Gould they are holding him to his contract. Butler said that going back to Chicago a second time doesn’t guarantee success.

#2 Cleveland Indians pitcher Cory Kluber took a line drive off his forearm on Wednesday night and broke his forearm. The Miami Marlins’ Brian Anderson hit a line drive that Kluber tried to block and ended up using his glove hand to scoop throw the ball to first, but it too late. Kluber has an ERA of 5.81.

#3 Omaha Beach has been scratched from the Kentucky Derby because of breathing problems. Omaha Beach developed a cough and breathing problems and a medical team said that Omaha Beach will need corrective surgery and the surgery is not life-threatening or career-ending. The new favorite for the Kentucky Derby is now Roadster (6-1) with Improbable (6-1) just behind.

#4 The Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard didn’t set the world on fire against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, but his teammates came through to help for the 97-90 win. The Blazers’ C.J. McCollum led with 20 points and Lilliard finished with 15 points. With the win, the Blazers tie the series 1-1.

#5 It was reported by Yahoo Sports that Palm Beach Florida police issued a fake bomb threat in order to install cameras at the spa which New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft would be recorded receiving sexual favors at Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida. Kraft’s lawyers said that the video was obtained by illegally installing the cameras. A masseuse has been arrested in connection with the case.

Tony does the Headline Sports podcast each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Raiders’ Crowell injured in team practice, out for season; Kentucky Derby coming up, will dying horses spell an end for industry?; plus more

photo bleacherreport.com: 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify. The Kentucky Derby kicks off this Saturday.

On the Headlines Sports podcast with London Marq:

#1 The Oakland Raiders’ running back Isaiah Crowell, during a team workout, suffered a season-ending injury, tearing his Achilles. Crowell is a five-year NFL veteran and played with the New York Jets last season. He was signed on with the Raiders for this season for $2.5 million.

#2 With the Kentucky Derby coming up this Saturday, all the talk has been about horses dying at Santa Anita in just seven months. Looking at the year between 2017-18, a reported 37 deaths have been reported, and the New York Times reported since 2018 to the present, the deaths have not subsided. The questions raised were why? Was it that the horses are physically driven to exhaustion on race days, was it the medications the injury-masking painkillers? Is the sport due to die out because of these horse deaths?

#3 If it wasn’t for the red-hot Tampa Bay Rays, the New York Yankees could very well be the top team in the AL East. The Yankees are just 2.5 games behind first place Tampa have won eight of their last 10 and also swept the San Francisco Giants and beat the Arizona Diamondbacks behind CC Sabathia’s 3,000 career strikeout. The Yanks lost the game, but Sabathia went down in the record books.

#4 The Oakland A’s are really off track. The club has lost six straight games. They’re coming off getting swept by the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox and have three more road games with the Pittsburgh Pirates starting on Friday night at PNC Park.

#5 Could the Golden State Warriors put the Houston Rockets away? It even looks a lot easier for Golden State than it did last postseason last year when they played the Rockets. Kevin Durant (29), Klay Thompson (20), and Stephen Curry (19) were the top three scorers for Golden State in Game 3. The Warriors lead the series 2-0.

London Marq does the Headlines Sports podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

By any Justifiable means necessary: Justify just one race short of the Triple Crown

Jeffrey F Bill Baltimore Sun photo: Jockey Mike E Smith rides Justify (7) who holds a close  lead followed by Good Magic just behind on the inside

By Matt Harrington and Joe Lami

It started out with a victory at decisive victory at the Kentucky Derby for what was to put the Preakness winner on the brink for a Triple Crown.  The gallop on Saturday at the Preakness in Maryland had Justify take the spoils for his second consecutive win in muddy foggy conditions on the Pilimco Track.

It was not for the faint of heart as Justify graced the track with a close half of length win in 1:55.93. Bravazo was runner up to Justify while Tenfold finished up in third. This was a competitive race and with the top three horses putting it to the proverbial pedal to the medal there was no surrendering but Justify was just that length better.

Champagne on Ice: Trainer Bob Baffert said it was the hardest race that Justify has ever run and was really put to the test, “It was a hard race today on him, probably the hardest race he’s had, but he’s getting fit,” Baffer said.

The muddy conditions might have the reason why the competition was so close at the Preakness. At Kentucky the odds were 2-5 for Justify, Good Magic who had 7-2 odds Good Magic was not anywhere close to Justify and for good measure no other competing horses at the Kentucky Derby had double digit odds like Justify or Good Magic.

At the Preakness there were only four horses who kept up on the muddy track and for Justify’s competitors the odds were much larger for any chance for a win. The odds for Bravazo were 15-1 and Tenfold had 25-1 odds.

PLACE	HORSE
1	Justify
2	Bravazo
3	Tenfold
4	Good Magic
5	Lone Sailor
6	Sporting Chance
7	Diamond King
8	Quip

The Belmont Stakes sets the stage for the possibility for Justify to become the 13th thoroughbred to win a Triple Crown. The last winner was American Pharaoh in 2015 Baffert also was the trainer of American Pharaoh. 37 years previous to American Pharaoh’s victory in 2015 the last horse to win the Triple Crown was Affirmed.

Next up the Belmont Stakes: The Belmont is slated for June 9, 2018 a date that could catapult Justify as the second horse in three years to win a triple crown. Baffert has trained some of the best horses and there’s that air of confidence from Baffert that Justify could just get that one more needed race.

Matt Harrington and Joe Lami are talk show hosts for Sports Talk podcasts and http://www.sportsradioservice.com