Sutton's Sports

Giants at 4-2

2006-10-24T22:58:00.000-04:00

After the Giants beat the rival, Dallas Cowboys 36-22 Monday night, they moved themselves into sole possession of first place in the extremely tough NFC East. Already 3-0 in the division, they Giants have made it through the toughest part of their schedule at a strong 4-2. On the heels of the announcement that their MVP candidate, Tiki Barber, will be retiring at season’s end, the Giants came out on national television and dominated their long time rival, Dallas Cowboys.
The Giants have put themselves in prime position to win their second consecutive division title. In what was believed to be the toughest division in the NFL, the Giants have already defeated every team in that division. The Eagles, who have lost many games on the final play of the game including to the Giants in Week 2, are currently a half game behind the Giants in the division. With the Redskins and Cowboys seemingly on the decline, the Giants look like they will be in a two way race for the division with the Giants.
Although the Giants lost LaVar Arrington for the season to a torn Achilles’ injury, their pass rush remains strong with Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan at the Defensive Ends. Their quarterback, Eli Manning, is maturing with every game, and their receivers remain solid. Of course, running back, Tiki Barber, will do what he does, and Brandon Jacobs is developing with every carry. The Giants look as if they will continue on to a key NFC match up with the Chicago Bears on Nov 12 at 8:15. p.m. Hopefully, the Giants will be able to continue their early season intensity and win another division title.

Mets Win NLDS

2006-10-08T11:41:00.000-04:00

Well, who would have thought that the New York Mets would have been the New York baseball team to sweep their divisional series? Not many people after El Duque went down before a pitch was thrown in this series, but the Mets rode their bullpen and the arm of Tom Glavine to a sweep in the NLDS over the Dodgers.
However, on the other side of town, the Yankees began their series with a bang as they overpowered Tigers pitching in Game 1 to an 8-4 victory. But from that point, everything went downhill for the Bronx Bombers. They lost Game 2 4-3, which was the turning point of the series. Then when they went to Detroit, it was never a contest between these two teams. The Tigers overpowered and out pitched the Yankees to two wins at home to win the series and earn one of the greatest postseason upset in recent memory.
The Mets still await the winner of the Cardinals-Padres series, which the Cardinals lead 2-1 heading into Game 4. The Yankees will now go home and wonder what changes will be made by George Steinbrenner. Will Joe Torre return as manager? Will Alex Rodriguez remain a Yankee after his abysmal performances throughout his postseason career with the Yankees? The Mets are now the ones with certainty on their side. Wow, how the tables have turned in the matter of only a week.

Mets Clinch NL East

2006-09-19T23:57:00.000-04:00

The Mets have finally clinched the National League East Division. The inevitable finally became a reality on Monday night when the Mets defeated the Marlins 4-0 in Shea Stadium beginning hopefully the first of four celebrations to come this year. After losing three straight in Pittsburgh, the Mets were able to clinch in front of the hometown crowd, which provided the spark needed to clinch.
With this win, they finally ended the 14-year reign of the Atlanta Braves over the NL East. As they enter the playoffs, it still seems that there is no other team in the National League that can match up to their powerful lineup and experienced starting pitching. This has been the same old story for this team since June when they really showed what they were made of with an 8-1 West Coast road trip.
As the playoffs quickly approach, the Mets will have to continually deal with questions regarding the experienced yet old starting pitching. Pedro Martinez was a shell of himself in his last start on Friday night. After he was pulled from the game, Martinez showed a great amount of emotion as he had to be consoled by Mets’ manager Willie Randolph. Tom Glavine will also have to return to the form he had during the first half of the season. All these questions and more will be on the minds of Mets fans throughout the next two weeks and hopefully deep into October.

Notre Dame Aqueaks By Against Georgia Tech

2006-09-05T17:16:00.000-04:00

After the final whistle blew in Tempe, AZ ending the 2006 Fiesta Bowl, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish were completely focused on proving that they were a much better team than the one that was dominated by Ohio State. Throughout the off season, there was a great amount of hype surrounding the Irish. The ‘pollsters’ put them at #2 and #3 in the Coaches’ and AP Preseason Polls respectively. College football experts made star quarterback Brady Quinn the early favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. All signs pointed towards a return to glory for the storied Notre Dame football program which has been down in recent years.
All the hype meant nothing as Notre Dame kicked off its season in Atlanta against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Saturday night. The Irish were supposed to have an easy time disposing of the inferior Yellow Jackets on the national stage on their way to a huge showdown with Penn State next week. Georgia Tech did not cooperate.
From the opening kickoff, it was clear to everyone, including the Irish, that they were going to be in for a tough battle all night. Georgia Tech jumped out to a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter with a touchdown pass to their star receiver Calvin Johnson. The Irish were being dominated throughout the entire first half until their final drive of the half. During this drive, they were finally able to move the ball downfield against the Georgia Tech defense eventually leading to a five yard touchdown run by Brady Quinn to put the Irish within three at 10-7 at the half.
Head Coach Charlie Weiss and the Irish came out of the locker rooms determined to focus on the run with Junior running back Darius Walker. Through this new offensive philosophy and a much improved defensive unit, the Irish were able to squash the Yellow Jackets’ upset bid and returned home to South Bend with a win.
The schedule for the Irish only gets tougher over the next three weeks as they host Penn State and Michigan and go on the road to Michigan State. Charlie Weiss will have to prepare his team even more than his usual rigorous expectations usually allow. Questions are abound in college football circles concerning Notre Dame’s ability to get through these next three tests successfully considering their last performance against the weakest of the first four opponents.
The Irish will look to keep these critics quiet as they face-off against another classic college football powerhouse when legendary coach Joe Paterno and the Penn State Nittany Lions come into Notre Dame Stadium this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Will Notre Dame continue on their way to their first national championship since 1988, or will all the hype fall flat with a disappointing loss in only the second game of the season? This and more will be on the minds of 80,000 strong as they all cheer in unison, “Go Irish!!”

Mets Sweep Cards

2006-08-24T23:05:00.000-04:00

This week the Mets have proven their dominance over the rest of the National League with a sweep of the second best team in the NL, the St. Louis Cardinals. With Carlos Beltran getting the series off to a bang with a walk-off homer in Tuesday night’s game. The Mets continued their dominance over the slumping Cardinals with 10-8 and 6-2 wins on Wednesday and Thursday nights respectively. With this series sweep the Mets have left no doubt in anyone’s mind that they should be the eventual National League representative in the World Series.
The Mets’ also improved their standing for a title with the acquisitions of Shawn Green and Guillermo Mota during the week. Mota will add some depth to the Mets’ bullpen for the postseason, and Shawn Green will solve the outfield problem that the Mets have had since the trade deadline. Green will add even more pop to a potent Mets lineup which will be critical for the Mets when they go up against the seemingly superior AL in the World Seires.

Tiger Dominates PGA Championship

2006-08-20T19:26:00.000-04:00

With his twelfth major championship, Tiger Woods now has Jack Nicklaus directly in his sight as far as major championships go. He has quickly put to rest any comparisons with him and rival Phil Mickelson with two consecutive major victories to end the 2006 season. He has returned to the same dominant form he had in 2000 and 2001 when he completed the “Tiger Slam” winning four consecutive majors. Every opponent seems to fall to the side when Tiger is in the mix. Today, nobody could even muster anything below par to really challenge Tiger’s lead which he achieved after the first hole. There is now no doubt in anybody’s mind who is the best golfer right now, and he will unquestionably go down as the greatest golfer in the history of the sport.

Mike Piazza Make Return To Shea Stadium

2006-08-09T15:37:00.000-04:00

When Mike Piazza made his return to Shea Stadium last night, the Mets’ faithful did as they should have, greeting him with multiple standing ovations. The impact that he had on the Mets franchise will forever be felt by all Mets fans. Not only did he lead them, to them to a World Series in 2000, but he also lifted New York’s spirits with his home run against the Braves after 9-11. He carried the Mets for all the years that he was in a Mets’ uniform, and for that, I and all Mets fans will be forever grateful.
Last night, Piazza seemed to be surprised by the outpouring of support that he received from the Shea crowd. From the moment he stepped out of the dugout fans chanted his name and showered him with applause at every opportunity. As he stepped into the plate for the first time, you could see that his emotions were beginning to get the best of him as his eyes began to tear up. All the records he set and games he won with the Mets will always live on in my memories. Anything less than what Piazza received from the fans last night would have been an injustice, and he is due to receive more of the same when he enters the Hall of Fame.

Mets Look to Improve Pitching As Trade Deadline Approaches

2006-07-27T15:00:00.000-04:00

Heading into the trade deadline, there is a great amount of pressure on Mets’ General Manager Omar Minaya to make a deal for a starting pitcher. This week, the Mets pitching staff allowed eight runs in three consecutive games. Tom Glavine and Steve Trachsel have not returned to the masterful form which they showed in the first half of the season, and this is a cause for concern for Mets fans. While these pitching woes have all been without Pedro Martinez, they are still something which can come back to bite he Mets in October.
Yesterday’s second consecutive great performance by John Maine allowed Mets fans to breath a sigh of relief for at least a day, however, there is still an expectation that the Mets will make some kind of noise before the July 31st trade deadline hits. Pitchers like Dontrelle Willis, Barry Zito, and Livan Hernandez have been on the Mets’ radar screen for quite a while now, but Minaya has yet to pull the trigger. His reluctance to get rid of prospects Lastings Milledge and Mike Pelfrey have held the Mets back from making a big trade. The antsy New York fan will not take kindly to a quiet trade deadline for the first place Mets. The Mets need some kind of pitching stability as they make their run towards October and an eventual World Series championship.

Mets Head Into Second Half

2006-07-14T14:26:00.000-04:00

As the Mets begin the second half of what has already been a hugely successful year, they already face one post-season disadvantage; they will not have home-field advantage in the World Series. With Michael Young’s go-ahead triple in the top of the ninth inning against Trevor Hoffman, the Mets lost the right to have 4 games in their building during the Fall Classic. The Mets did all they could in the game to help the inferior National League to win, as David Wright homered in the second and Carlos Beltran manufactured a run in the third. However, the depth, power, and experience of the American League prevailed in the end earning them home-field advantage for the fifth straight year.
The Mets will also face hardships of their own making as they enter the second half. Pedro Martinez will start the new half on the disabled list and Jose Reyes is out with an injured pinkie. The back of the Mets’ rotation is still a lingering question as the July 31 trade deadline looms. Who Omar Minaya will acquire for a fourth solid arm in the rotation remains a hot topic in Metland. However, all of these “problems” that the Mets face are all leading up to a successful October. In years past, the Mets had to make these moves just to be in contention for the playoffs, but nowadays, these moves will help them reach their ultimate goal of a world championship.

Mets Head Into Second Half

2006-07-14T14:23:00.000-04:00

Mets Head Into Second Half

2006-07-14T14:22:00.000-04:00

Mets Face First Real Hardship This Season

2006-07-06T18:21:00.000-04:00

The Mets are currently coming off of the hardest stretch that they have faced this season. After being swept by the Red Sox and losing the first of three to the Yankees the Mets desperately needed to recover with some sort of run in the next few games. This did not come as they were able to get a win out of the Yankees series, but lost the next two in blowout fashion to the Yankees and Pirates. However, when it looked like they were going to lose another to the Pirates, Endy Chavez and Xavier Nady came through with clutch hits to propel the Mets to a win. Heading into the All Star Break, the Mets must continue to win as they face the inferior National League.
The Mets are currently facing their first real hardships of the season. The recovery and response that this team puts forth will show whether or not they are championship material. They have demonstrated that they are the class of the National League, but have shown that maybe they cannot compete with the great teams of the American League. Championship team are able to bounce back quickly from extended losing periods and the Mets are hopeful that they can show those same qualities in the upcoming week.

Mets Face Red Sox in Intriguing Series

2006-06-28T14:29:00.000-04:00

Last night, the Mets began a very intriguing and important series with the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park with a 9-4 loss. However, the bulk and most interesting games of the series are yet to come. Pedro Martinez will make his return to Fenway Park after leading the team to its first World Series Championship in 86 years in 2004. Then Tom Glavine will make a homecoming start against Curt Schilling in the final game of the series. This series is a great test for the Mets as they have separated themselves from the much inferior National League. They will see what they are made of as they face-off against the American League’s best in the Red Sox and Yankees.
The nation’s baseball consciousness is currently centered on the Mets, and they must prove that they can handle this pressure that will most likely be on them when October comes around. They need to show that they are serious championship contenders and not just division winners. The games will be intriguing and the matchups will be exciting, but can the Mets come out on top? These same questions will remain with the Mets until October when the real and final tests come.

Mets Have Massive Lead in NL East

2006-06-21T15:26:00.000-04:00

Over the past few weeks the Mets have expanded their lead in the NL East to a massive 9 ½ games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies. They went 9-1 on a 10 game road trip which took them to the west coast where they normally struggle. The Mets currently have the best record in the National League and seem to be running away with their division nearly half way through the regular season. The usual division winner, the Atlanta Braves, are in last place and an astonishing 14 ½ games behind the Mets. It looks as though the Mets will have an easy summer and cruise into the playoffs with an easy NL East Championship.
With all this said, the Mets must continue to produce the way that they have up to this point this season. It is imperative that they stay sharp and keep this comfortable lead they have gained over the rest of the division. Costly injuries must be avoided and the Mets cannot afford to become complacent in the lead that they have achieved. With just about every Mets fan’s mind already on October, they cannot lose focus on the fact that there are still many games to be played and anything can happen to this team in the remainder of the season. Everything has gone right for the Mets up to this point. They have overcome injuries in their pitching staff, and they have been able to survive slumps by some of their best players. The New York Mets are an extremely good team in 2006, and all signs point to October for this team, however, they must maintain focus and finish the job to make this year a true success.

2006 Triple Corwn Brought Range of Emotions

2006-06-16T18:21:00.000-04:00

This year’s Triple Crown will most likely be remembered most for what happened to Barbaro in the Derby and the Preakness. The impressive ride and win by Fernando Jara and Jazil in the Belmont will go as an after thought to the dramatic events of the Preakness. After the Kentucky Derby, horse racing was abuzz after watching Barbaro dominate what was thought to be one of the most talented Derby fields in recent memory. Barbaro was never challenged the entire race as he sat comfortably behind the leaders then passed them at will as he entered the stretch, drawing away to win by 6 ¾ lengths over Bluegrass Cat.
Then in the Preakness, Barbaro came in as a 1-2 favorite to take the second jewel of the Triple Crown. However, things just didn’t seem right for him from the moment he entered the starting gate as he broke through the gate early and had to be reloaded. When the race finally began, Barbaro only made it 100 yards before Edgar Prado heard a noise from his leg as it shattered into 20 pieces. A media storm then ensued as the fight for Barbaro’s life became national news. Extraordinary surgery was then performed on his leg to keep his breeding potential alive. Lost in all this was the dominate performance by Bernardini as he emerged as a potential star for the remainder of the year.
This year, the Belmont felt more like the Derby as it was a completely wide open race. Bob and John along with Steppenwolfer went into the gate as co-favorites, but it was Jazil who came out on top. With 18 year old jockey, Fernando Jara aboard he quickly made his way from last to first in the 12 horse field and he never relinquished the lead. Jazil’s win was the finale to a Triple Crown that will not soon be forgotten. Jubilation, tragic sadness, and surprise were all felt throughout these five weeks. However, the ultimate feeling is still yet to be determined as Barbaro is still fighting for his life in a hospital stall in Pennsylvania.

Jazil Wins the Belmont

2006-06-12T17:07:00.000-04:00

As they came down the stretch in the Belmont on Saturday, Jazil was drawing away from Bluegrass Cat to win the Belmont and end the 2006 Triple Crown. In the closest of all the races this year, Jazil defeated Bluegrass Cat and Sunriver to take home the third jewel of the Triple Crown. The race provided racing fans with a moment where something else was the focus of the racing world other than Barbaro and the fight for his life. The great ride that 18 year old Fernando Jara gave Jazil may have caused the emergence of a new star jockey to the racing world.
In a race without any stars, Jazil dominated the field as he weaved his way through horses throughout the far turn. When he finally was asked by Jara at the beginning of the stretch, Jazil put away his only real competitor, Bluegrass Cat as he rolled for an easy win. Hopefully Jazil will emerge as a great horse in his next race, either the Jim Dandy at Saratoga or the Haskell at Monmouth Park. For two and a half minutes Jazil provided horse racing with excitement rather than the grave disappointment that had been felt for the last three weeks. Hopefully, this excitement will continue as the horse racing industry tries to move past the loss of a champion in Barbaro.

Belmont Draws Lackluster Field

2006-06-12T17:06:00.000-04:00

Going into the Belmont Stakes on Saturday there is little to no excitement from the casual horse racing fan, however, this year’s Belmont provides racing fans with an intriguing race with many unproven contenders. With Barbaro and Bernardini out of the race, there are no horses that have won any big races recently. The only horse coming off a big win is Sunriver who won the Peter Pan Stakes, a traditional prep race for the Belmont, after skipping the Kentucky Derby because of a lack of earnings. The Belmont this year will not be an opportunity to break the 28 year drought without a Triple Crown, but rather, it will be an intriguing look into the future of three year old racing for 2006.
The morning line favorite is Bluegrass Cat who finished a distant second behind Barbaro in the Derby. Although he was the favorite for the Bluegrass Stakes, he was a longshot for the Derby. Steppenwolfer who finished third in the Derby will be the third choice behind Sunriver and Bluegrass Cat. Besides these three favorites, there is a plethora of past runners in the Derby and Preakness including, Jazil, Deputy Glitters, Hemingway’s Key, Platinum Couple, and Bob and John.
The last horse mentioned, Bob and John, will likely go to the lead and set a very tepid pace as is usually the case in the Belmont. I believe that he will be able to hold this lead all the way through the mile and a half of the Belmont. The closers like Jazil and Steppenwolfer will not be able to muster up enough of a rally to catch Bob and John in the stretch. Bluegrass Cat may come along with a charge at the end, but Bob and John has proven that he is a legitimate horse with his win in the Wood Memorial. The 2006 Belmont will be remembered for its absence of Barbaro and Bernardini, but its most important feature is what it will tell us about the future. The 2006 Triple Crown will come to a quiet close, but the triumphant and tragic events of it will always be remembered.

Latest Edition of World Cup Comes With American Enthusiasm

2006-06-04T20:57:00.000-04:00

This year, most of the world’s attention will shift to Germany between the dates of June 9-July 9 for the World Cup. Just about the only country participating in this event whose fans will not have this event first on their sports consciousness is the United States. It goes without saying that soccer has never caught fire in this country quite like it has in the rest of the world. However, this attitude seems to be making a slight change as we move into this year’s World Cup. With a top 5 ranking in the world, according to FIFA, the United States national team seems to be a legitimate contender to the uneducated American soccer fan. ESPN and ABC have been running ads to hype up this event for a month now and it just might work as World Cup fever seems to be more contagious than ever among American fans.
It is doubtful that the United States will win the World Cup, and they may even have trouble getting out of their group, but American fans are more interested than ever because we finally have a contender. In years past, the U.S team has been the soccer doormat for the rest of the world, but now America might be able to embrace a winner. The true test of this new enthusiasm will come months after the World Cup. If the MLS can gain some fan support and there is genuine interest among the American public then soccer will actually have caught on in this country. However, nothing short of a miracle will make that possible in a sports culture dominate by the hard hitting game of football and America’s Pastime, baseball.

Mets Find Solutions to Pitching Problem

2006-05-29T21:20:00.000-04:00

Over the past few weeks, the Mets have faced a huge problem which has kept them from moving forward in the season. The back end of their rotation was extremely weak as they started Jose Lima and Jeremi Gonzalez in the 4 and 5 spots in their rotation. Obviously starting pitchers like this will only lead the Mets down a losing path; however, it seems that they might have found the solution to their problem. Alay Soler and Orlando Hernandez have filled Lima and Gonzalez’s spots in the rotation and they were both solid in their Mets debuts. If these two pitchers can hold their spots in the rotation solidly the Mets will be able to survive the injuries which are currently crippling their pitching rotation. These two pitchers are what could save the Mets as they move forward in their quest for a NL East Title.
The championship experience that Orlando Hernandez brings to the table cannot be under-valued. He always seems to come through in clutch situations and just flat out wins. Whether it is with the Yankees or the White Sox, El Duque will bring much needed playoff experience to the Mets who are relatively inexperienced in situations such as these. Although, he will not be dominate he will bring leadership and guidance to a team that is making a playoff push. While Alay Soler has nowhere near the experience of Hernandez he does seem to be more solid than any of the other trial starters that the Mets have played this year. He was superb in his first start after a rocky first inning. If he can continue to provide the Mets with solid outings, he will give the Mets exactly what they need in a reliable 5th starter. It seems that the Mets have finally found the solutions to their ongoing problem in the starting rotation. If so, they have overcome a major obstacle in their journey towards a division championship.

Barbaro's Injury Brings National Attention to Racing Industry

2006-05-26T15:05:00.000-04:00

Since Barbaro went down in the Preakness with an injury to his ankle, the sporting world and beyond has focused on this colt’s fight for his life. Surgery was performed successfully on Barbaro just after the Preakness; however, he is nowhere near home free yet. Doctors say that there is still a 50/50 chance that he will survive this ordeal. The attention which this whole ordeal has received is much greater than horse racing has ever had in years. However, it is not likely that this attention will last long enough to have any impact on the actual races that are run. Is all this attention negative or positive for the industry of horse racing which just lost one of its superstars forever?
Whether or not Barbaro survives will still be in doubt for at least a month, however, it is still unclear whether or not this national attention will last as long. Like most national news stories, it is likely that the story will run its course and fade out of the nation’s attention. After this attention has faded, where will the racing industry go from there? This question is what has the people in racing worried. With no star emerging from this year’s Triple Crown, no new interest will evolve from these three races. This will only dig racing into a deeper whole than it is already in. Little national interest is crippling racing now and this will continue for at least another year until the next Triple Crown. The Belmont Stakes will draw little to no interest from the casual racing fan and this mere fact is tragic to racing.

Mets Take Two of Three in Subway Series

2006-05-22T23:53:00.000-04:00

The first edition of this year’s Subway Series has come to a close with the Mets taking a 2-1 advantage. Normally, the Met fan would be ecstatic about a series victory over the hated Yankees, but this series win has a different feel to it. The reason for this is because of what happened on Saturday afternoon in the ninth inning at Shea Stadium. Billy Wagner, who had been dominate in striking out the side the night before, blew a four run lead as he was out of control the majority of the inning. In a game where Pedro Martinez was excellent through seven strong innings, the Mets still came out of the game with a loss, which cost them the series sweep.
The series got off to a bang on Friday night with seven combined runs scored in the first inning. The Yankees jumped all over Jeremi Gonzalez for four runs just before the Mets came back with three of their own against Randy Johnson. The game turned into a battle of the bullpens as Aaron Heilman shut down the Yankees for three innings before Billy Wagner came in and struck out the side. In the bottom of the ninth against one of the best closers the game has ever seen, Mariano Rivera, David Wright sent a fly ball over Johnny Damon’s head to drive in Paul LoDuca for the game-winning run. The electricity in Shea Stadium after the game was like nothing I had ever seen before for a regular season game. Anyone who thinks the Subway Series has lost its luster needs only to go to a game and experience what I experienced on Friday night to know that this series is still very much alive.
The series ended with another one-run game as the Mets held on for a 4-3 win over the Yankees. The top of the ninth innings was a micro-chasm of the series as Billy Wagner came into a 4-3 game to get the save. He started the inning well with a strikeout of Robinson Cano, but then he ran into trouble as the next two men reached base. He was finally able to shut down the Yankees as Miguel Cairo grounded out to second to end the game and the Subway Series. This series showed that the Mets are serious contenders this year, but they still have a few things to work out. They should have swept the Yankees in this series but they were unable to because of Billy Wagner’s meltdown. As the Mets move on with their season, they will have to find a way to fix the multiple starting pitching problems which they have. These currently seem to be the only things which can hold them back from ultimate success this season.

Mets Take Two of Three in Subway Series

2006-05-22T23:51:00.000-04:00

Barbaro Breaks Down Along with the Hopes of Many

2006-05-21T16:34:00.000-04:00

The horse racing industry was a dealt a devastating blow seconds after the Preakness Stakes began on Saturday when favorite and Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro pulled up lame with an ankle injury. Gone were the high hopes for a Triple Crown that many held after his dominating win in the Derby, and also gone was the potentially great career of Barbaro. The only question that remains is whether or not the horse will be able to survive this devastating injury. The racing industry which desperately needs something to kick start enthusiasm will have to wait another year after his primary star has gone down. The longest Triple Crown drought in history has been extended to 28 years since Affirmed won it in 1978 and the racing world has been dealt another devastating blow.
In the past 10 years there have been 6 horses who have had a chance at the Triple Crown going into the Belmont Stakes. However, none of them have been able to bring home the crown as the mile and a half Test of Champions has been their downfall. The most recent came in 2004 when Smarty Jones won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness convincingly, however, he was caught in the final strides of the Belmont by long shot Birdstone and his Triple Crown hopes were dead. When Barbaro pulled up in the Preakness another shot at the Triple Crown failed, one which was thought to have the most potential of any of the other prior contenders, and again, disappointment rather than ecstasy reined in the racing world.

Preakness Post Positions are Drawn

2006-05-17T21:30:00.000-04:00

The post positions have been drawn for the 131st running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. As expected, Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro is the morning line and even money favorite with Brother Derek set as the second choice. It seems to most that there are only three real contenders for the win at the Preakness. These three will all start right by each other and all have last raced in the Derby. Sweetnorthernsaint, Barbaro, and Brother Derek are the only three colts to make the journey from Louisville to Baltimore for the Preakness. The only “new shooter” to the Preakness that has the credentials which would qualify him as a serious contender is Like Now who won the Gotham and finished second in the Lexington. He is expected to set the pace for the Preakness as he is starting from the inside post. The rest of the field of nine does not seem to pose much of a threat to Barbaro in his hopes for a Triple Crown.
Brother Derek is coming into this race looking for redemption after an impossibly difficult Derby trip. He was forced to go wide throughout the race and was even 14th at one point during the race. However, he did show that he could make a stretch run as he closed on Barbaro in the stretch just as much as stretch-runners Jazil and Steppenwolfer did. Brother Derek will not face the same troubles which he did in the Derby and this will provide him with a much better chance to show what he really has against Barbaro.
Sweetnorthernsaint also had a difficult trip in the Derby which took him out of contention. From the break, he was squeezed behind horses and forced to settle back into 18th place as the field entered the first turn. Through the backstretch, he made his way through the field eventually getting into fourth. However, he was stuck behind fading pace-maker Keyed Entry, and once he was able to find room on the inside, he slipped as he was beginning to make a run at the lead. After all of these troubles, he had nothing left and faded in the stretch.
Barbaro will once again be able to sit off the lead and make a move on the far turn; however, he will not go unchallenged like he did in the Derby. Brother Derek will be just to his inside to challenge him all the way. Sweetnorthernsaint will be on the outside pressuring him for early position and possibly for the lead as they enter the stretch. Barbaro may get the perfect trip again in the Preakness, but so may others who did not in the Derby. The real test for this horse will come as they go down the stretch at Pimlico. Will he be able to hold off competitors or was he just the product of a 20 horse field in the Derby?

Mets Win an Emotional and Important Game Against the Brewers

2006-05-14T14:12:00.000-04:00

When Jose Valentin sent a two-run shot over the right field fence in the top of the 8th inning putting the Mets up 8-4 over the Brewers, it seemed to most trained viewers that the game was over. With Duaner Sanchez and Billy Wagner coming in for the 8th and 9th inning respectively, the Mets seemed to have the game in the bag. However, this was not the case as Sanchez gave up back-to-back homers to Corey Koskie and Damian Miller allowing the Brewers to tie the game at 8. Things then really got heated as Duaner Sanchez hit Brady Clark in the back, and was immediately thrown out of the game. Willie Randolph then came out to argue the call, and as he was headed back to the dugout, he too was thrown out of the game. In past years, this situation would have spelled doom for the Mets, but Paul LoDuca led off the ninth with a solo homer to put the Mets ahead for good.
The win by the Mets last night really showed their maturity and that they are ready to take the next step towards becoming a championship team. Mets teams of the past would not have been able to recover from the comeback that the Brewers put up in the bottom of the eighth, but this team could. The resiliency which was immediately shown by the Mets in a game which the Brewers had comeback two different times says to me that this team is ready to make a run in the playoffs. It shows that they have the leadership which they have lacked in years past.
Am emotional win like last night’s has the potential to propel the Mets as they enter a difficult stretch as they head to St. Louis and then come back home for the Subway Series against the Yankees. These difficult games will once again test the largely untested Mets as they try to prove to the rest of the league that they are legit contenders. Today they send their ace, Pedro Martinez, to the mound in hopes that they can pull out a series win against the young and talented Brewers. A win today paired with last night’s win will give the Mets the boost they need heading into perhaps their toughest stretch of the young season.

Preakness Begins to Take Form

2006-05-12T00:30:00.000-04:00

Heading into the Preakness it seems that many of those who made the trip to Louisville will not make the trip to Pimlico to challenge Barbaro in his attempt to win the first two legs of the Triple Crown. However, a few of the serious contenders for the Derby are making the trip to Baltimore. Among them are post time favorite, Sweetnorthernsaint, and morning line favorite, Brother Derek, who both look to redeem themselves after tough Derby trips. Lawyer Ron will undergo surgery to repair his right hind ankle which he injured slightly during the Derby. According to the Daily Racing Form, he will be out of training for 30 to 40 days and is headed toward a late-summer return.
As always there will be a few new contenders to the Preakness who did not participate in the Derby. Best among them is possibly Like Now, winner of the Gotham and second in the Lexington behind Showing Up, stable mate of Barbaro. Winner of three of his last four races, Like Now seems to be a serious contender to take Barbaro off the Triple Crown track. Also recently added into contention for the Preakness is Nick Zito trainee Hemingway’s Key. It seems that the only thing this horse has going for him is the fact that Nick Zito is his trainer. He has not shown much promise on the track finishing 8th, 6th, and 8th again in his last three starts, not exactly a legitimate contender to the extremely impressive Barbaro.
Brother Derek comes into the Preakness with something to prove. He was forced to go outside throughout the Derby, which never really gave him a chance to challenge Barbaro who was in optimum position the entire race. Brother Derek was the only serious contender who was still driving heading into the finish besides Barbaro, which bodes well for his Preakness chances. It is very likely that he will be the second choice behind Barbaro when they head to the gate on May 20th. Will Barbaro remain undefeated and make an attempt at the illusive Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes? This all depends on how the other horses run and if they can present any challenge to this seemingly great horse.

Mets and Phillies Face Off in Important Series

2006-05-09T12:20:00.000-04:00

Entering tonight’s game, the Mets and Phillies are separated by four games in the NL East. The Phillies are currently on an eight game winning streak which had separating themselves from the bottom dwellers of the division and gaining on the Mets in the process. This upcoming series is the most important that either team has had to face so far in the young season. The Mets must stop the Phillies momentum and keep their comfortable lead in the division which they have held all year long. The Phillies want to prove that they are also serious contenders to take the Braves of their thrown of NL East champions. While it is still early in the season, this series could set the tone for the pursuit of the NL East title.
There are some other storylines for this series besides the fight for the standings. Billy Wagner is making his return to the City of Brotherly Love for the first time since his two season stint with the team. Philadelphia fans are known for their harsh welcomes to outsiders, and Wagner will not be spared from their wrath. Up to this point, Wagner has not shown the dominance that the Mets were hoping to see from him when they signed him in the off-season. Wagner has already blown three saves and has run into trouble in other outings this season. It will be interesting to see how Wagner responds to the boos of the Philly fans since he has only received positive support from the New York fans during his honeymoon period. When Wagner makes his first appearance, possibly in a save opportunity for the Mets, the hometown fans will be relentless with their disapproval, and the response to this from Wagner may dictate how this series plays out.
The first month of the 2006 season has been pretty easy for the New York Mets, but now starts the real tests of their will and determination. Can they handle a challenge to their division lead? Are they championship material or have they just hit an early hot streak? Can the now decimated Mets pitching staff patch together some wins while multiple injuries heal? These questions and many more will be answered when Pedro Martinez and Brett Myers toe the rubber tonight.

Barbaro Dominates the Derby

2006-05-07T00:22:00.000-04:00

As they came to the stretch in the Kentucky Derby, there was no doubt who would come away the winner. Barbaro had taken over the lead with a sweeping move past frontrunners Sinister Minister and Keyed Entry, and there was no other horse in the field of 20 that was going to catch him. Barbaro went under the wire in front of his closest pursuer, Bluegrass Cat, by 6 ½ lengths and under a hand ride by jockey Edgar Prado. Barbaro left no doubt that he is indeed the best 3-year old in Thoroughbred racing in America. There have been six horses to win both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes in the last nine years; Barbaro won the Derby by the widest margin. Leaving many horse racing fans thinking that this could be the horse to finally end the Triple Crown drought of 28 years.
Going into today’s race, Sweetnorthernsaint had moved into the role of Derby favorite by the Churchill Downs betters at 5-1. The race was wide open with the huge amount of talent which was present in the field. However, it was clear to everyone who the best horse was on this day. Barbaro was dominant leaving all his primary competitors far behind. It was clear that Sinister Minister and Keyed Entry who were setting the pace were not going to be able to keep up the strong pace which they set during the early stages of the race. Therefore, Edgar Prado and Barbaro had no concerns about getting to the lead at the turn; the only question was how much Edgar Prado wanted to win by.
Heading into the Preakness on May 20th, Barbaro will be the overwhelming favorite to win the second leg of the Triple Crown. If he is able to run remotely close to the way he ran in the Derby, there is no doubt in my mind that he will go into Belmont Park and the Belmont Stakes with a chance to win the Triple Crown. In the nine years that I have been watching Thoroughbred racing, I have never seen a more dominant performance in the Kentucky Derby. Barbaro won the race going away from the field which is rarely done in a race with such a large field. In my opinion, he will go on to win both the Preakness and the Belmont to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

Kentucky Derby Preview

2006-05-05T23:34:00.000-04:00

It has been said by many that this year’s Kentucky Derby will include the most talented field in years. There are many horses who have made legitimate cases to be anyone’s pick to win the Run for the Roses. The morning line favorite is Brother Derek, the dominant winner of the Santa Anita Derby. There is also Lawyer Ron and Barbaro each coming in with six consecutive wins prior to the Derby. The next tier of favorites includes Toyota Blue Grass Stakes winner Sinister Minister, Illinois Derby winner Sweetnorthernsaint, and a few other including Bob Baffert trainees Bob and John and Point Determined. The plethora of talent in this race will make this year’s Derby truly the most exciting two minutes in sports.
The one consensus among experts regarding this year’s Derby is that there will be an extremely fast pace as there are many horses whose running style requires them to be on the lead. Sinister Minister figures to be on the lead as even his own trainer says that he is nearly uncontrollable on the track. This furious pace will make it easier for those who choose to run in the middle or back of the pack to make a late run and come away with the Derby. However, the one drawback of this approach is that it is very difficult for a closer to navigate his way through the large field of 20 horses which will be present in the Derby. The easiest stretch run will come for those who sit just off the pace and make their move during the turn and at the top of the stretch.
With this said, I believe that the winner of the race will come from that second tier of horses which sit just off the pace. Among those, there are only a few who have shown that they possess the ability to make a final run at the win during the stretch. One horse in particular, Sweetnorthernsaint, has shown this ability in his last race, the Illinois Derby. He won the race going away as he passed the leader on the turn into the final stretch. Therefore, Sweetnorthernsaint will be the winner of the Kentucky Derby becoming the first winner of the Derby to last race in the Illinois Derby since War Emblem won by four lengths in 2002. Bob Baffert will leave Churchill Downs unhappy and the heart warming stories of Brother Derek and Lawyer Ron will not finish with a happy ending. Instead, a very deserving horse in Sweetnorthernsaint will come away with the victory.

My projected top three:
Win: Sweetnorthernsaint
Place: Jazil
Show: Lawyer Ron

Kentucky Derby Countdown: 5 days (Barbaro)

2006-05-02T11:36:00.000-04:00

This year’s top Derby contender from Florida, Barbaro, seems to be the one of the most overlooked prep race winners. He has gone undefeated through his five career races, but he still is not considered as seriously as others like Brother Derek and Lawyer Ron. However, other horses of his type were also somewhat overlooked heading into the Derby, and went onto greatness. The most recent example of this was Smarty Jones in 2004. He came into Churchill Downs undefeated and somewhat overlooked. However, the betters did not make the same mistake experts did by making him the very temperate 5-2 favorite on that day. Barbaro hopes the same fate awaits him as he is now most likely slated as the third choice heading into the Derby.
Barbaro’s running style is very similar to the other top contenders for the roses. He likes to sit just off the lead and sometimes go to the lead depending on what the pace dictates. Just like all the other contenders, it will be interesting to see if his trainer, Michael Matz, decides to amend the strategy for the Derby or attempt to stay with the frantic pace which has recently become a Derby staple. We have seen the ill affects of such a strategy in last year’s Derby. Many of the top contenders decided to sit up on the pace set by the rabbit, Spanish Chestnut, and eventually paid the price for it. Giacomo, who was well off the pace in 18th at one point, navigated his way through traffic to a shocking win in the first leg of the Triple Crown.
Barbaro has shown that he can fight off tough contenders in the Florida Derby with a gutsy win against a stubborn Sharp Humor, half-brother of Funny Cide and Flower Alley. Barbaro allowed Sharp Humor to control most of the race until the top of the stretch, where he stuck a neck in front and maintained that same lead for the rest of the race. If it is necessary for Barbaro to make a slight change in his running style for the Derby, it seems that he will be able to handle it considering the fact that he has already made the transition from turf to dirt earlier in his career. This ability to handle change well may prove extremely valuable and may perhaps be that something extra which gets Barbaro to the wire first on May 6th.
Although, there are many signs from the past which point to Barbaro ending up as the Derby winner, there are a few aspects of his game which I think will hold him back from his ultimate goal. Barbaro has not shown the stretch burst which is necessary to win the Derby. He seems to be more of a grinder than a horse that came make one sweeping move to put the race away. With the high level of competition that he will face on Saturday, it will be necessary that he exhibits that facet of his game. I believe that this will be what keeps Barbaro out of the winner’s circle on Saturday. He will definitely be in the mix for the win, but his lack of a finishing burst will ultimately be his downfall.

Bush Gives Much Needed Lift to a Desperate City

2006-04-30T22:16:00.000-04:00

When I was informed Friday night that the Houston Texans had signed Mario Williams to a contract, I was in complete and total shock. I could not believe that any team could possibly pass up the talent that former USC running back Reggie Bush possesses. There is no other word that describes what the Texans did than “stupid”. The excitement which Reggie Bush would have brought along with him to Houston would have rejuvenated a franchise that desperately needs a spark. Granted that Mario Williams has great talent and potential, he does not provide the same excitement that Reggie Bush would have provided every time he touched the ball.
Instead, Bush will head to New Orleans and provide the spark for a team that has just come off one of the hardest seasons for any team in the NFL in recent memory. Both the city of New Orleans and the Saints organization need a player like Bush to provide excitement and a diversion for their fans who are still dealing with the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina.
I have personal experience with this town in the post-Katrina era. In January, I made a trip down there with the Catholic Organization here at Syracuse University. We did a great deal of manual labor in houses which were devastated by the hurricane, and on one night on Bourbon Street, while much of my group was visiting the bars of New Orleans, I talked sports with Robert who was helping us in our work and is a local to New Orleans. We talked about the Saints and their meaning to the city and its people. One of the main topics in our discussion was what the Saints would do with their second overall draft pick. The consensus at the time was that the Texans would select Bush with the first overall pick, but Robert also mentioned just how great it would be if Bush miraculously fell to the Saints at number 2. He said that the franchise had not had a player with his talent for a long while, and that the city lives off the team so much, it would lift the spirits of the city immensely.
There must have been something special that was going on the Friday night before the draft. It seems completely illogical on the Texans’ part to pass up on Bush, but maybe there is someone looking out for the city of New Orleans. They needed something like this to help lift their spirits from the complete devastation which they currently find themselves in.
One of my favorite sporting moments came on the first baseball game played in New York after September 11, 2001 when the Mets played the Braves at Shea Stadium. Mike Piazza stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the 8th inning and hit the eventual game-winning home run. For three hours, the city of New York was able to stop thinking about the destruction which had just occurred, and they could focus on the excitement of baseball. Hopefully, the selection of Reggie Bush will provide the same effect for New Orleans in the coming football season.

Mets Defeat Braves in Series Opener

2006-04-28T23:59:00.000-04:00

Heading into tonight’s game against the Atlanta Braves, the Mets had gone a combined 20-53 against the Braves at Turner Field. This includes all regular season meetings and the 1999 NLCS in which the Braves won all three games played at Turner Field. Coming into this season, one of the primary goals for these Mets was to put their struggles against their division rivals behind them.
They have made a step toward that goal after tonight’s 5-2 win against the Braves. Pedro Martinez provided another masterful performance going 7 innings, allowing two runs, four hits, and one walk while striking out five. His only blemish came against Chipper Jones who hit his 35th career home run against the Mets with a 2-run blast in the 6th inning. Duaner Sanchez then kept his brilliant start to the season going with a scoreless eighth, and finally, Billy Wagner came in for an eventful ninth inning in which he struck out former Met, Todd Pratt, to end the game. The Mets offense was provided by David Wright who broke out of a slump with two solo homers and an RBI.
This year’s version of the New York Mets seems to have a different attitude about them. They are not intimidated by those who have usually kept the Mets from reaching their goal of an NL East division championship, the Braves. Although they have only gone 2-2 against the Braves thus far, both wins coming with Pedro Martinez on the mound, their losses have not been the crushing losses which the Mets are used to experiencing at the hands of the Braves. Willie Randolph put it best when he was asked about the team’s difficult history against the Braves by saying, “These guys don’t know about that.” The Mets are a new team this year and this ignorance of history may propel them to their first division title since 1989.

Kentucky Derby Countdown: 9 days (Brother Derek)

2006-04-27T15:02:00.000-04:00

With a win in this year’s Santa Anita Derby, Brother Derek has made his role as the morning line favorite for the Kentucky Derby. The win in the Santa Anita was Derek’s 6th career win in only 8 career starts and his fourth in-a-row. He cruised to victory leading the entire race and setting reasonable fractions throughout the race. There are only a few weaknesses to this horse; however, these weaknesses could prove to be very detrimental to him in the 20 horse field which has become a staple of the Kentucky Derby.
In the Santa Anita, he was able to go out to the lead, set a reasonable pace, and eventually pull away to an easy win. In his prior win, he was able to sit off a slightly quicker pace, take the lead heading into the stretch and never relinquished it. However, in his last loss, the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile, he was not able to sit off the blazing pace which was set by Dawn of War with a 45.3/5 half mile and because of this, he finished a distant fourth never making much of a run for the win. The Derby is known for its fast pace with the large amount of horse which run, and there is a question as to whether or not Derek will be able to win coming from off the pace. His trainer, Dan Hendricks, has a decision to make in regards to Derek’s position in the early stages of the race. He could choose to challenge Derek by sending him to lead or just off the pace or he could send him to the middle of the pack where jockey Alex Solis may not be able to navigate through 19 other horses when it is time to make a run. Either choice comes with a risk, and ultimately it will be Alex Solis who will have to make a snap judgment on where to put Derek during the race itself.
When post time for the Derby comes on May 6th, it is very likely that Brother Derek will still be the favorite to take home the roses. However, I beg to differ with these betters. I believe that Derek’s running style is not conducive to what is usually needed to win the Derby. He will have to run outside of his normal running style in order to be safe from the blazing pace which will probably be set. There is still doubt as to whether or not Derek possess the ability to make a legitimate run during the stretch run as he has not shown this feature as of yet. While, he is a valid favorite for the Derby and I could see him coming away with the first jewel of the Triple Crown, I believe that he is not the best candidate for the race.

Martinez Provides for the Mets Again

2006-04-23T12:48:00.000-04:00

Every time Pedro Martinez toes the rubber for the New York Metropolitans, there is a feeling of excitement and confidence felt by every Mets fan. So far, this confident feeling has been justified as the Martinez is 4-0 in his first four starts of the season, winning his 200th career game in the process. Last night’s performance was perhaps the most impressive as he struck out 11 Padres, allowed two hits, and only one run over seven strong innings. There could not have been a more prefect night for Mets fans as the Mets’ offense woke up scoring eight runs and longtime Met, Mike Piazza, provided the only Padres’ offense on a monster homerun.
From the time that Pedro put on the Orange and Blue of the Mets, he has been nothing but a positive and a spark for the team. Both on the field and in the clubhouse, Pedro has been a source of excitement and revitalization for a team and franchise that desperately needed one. During his time with the Mets, he has gone 19-8 with a 2.93 ERA, impressive by anyone’s standards.
It is quite obvious to any educated observer that Martinez will have to carry the Mets pitching staff this season. Tom Glavine, Steve Trachsel, Victor Zambrano, and Brian Bannister are all question marks heading into the season. Who knows how much Glavine has left in the tank? Can Trachsel be consistently effective? Will Zambrano ever justify the trade which sent him to the Mets? Who is Brian Bannister? These questions are the only things which could hold the Mets back this season. However, they can be overcome if Pedro can continue the type of season which he has begun.
The 2006 Mets have already provided a great amount of excitement for their fans only 17 games into the season. Pedro Martinez has been at the center of this excitement every time he steps onto the field, and he has provided each and every time. If he can keep up this masterful performance both he and the New York Mets will be on their way to a vastly successful 2006.

Franco Gives Mets Needed Leadership On and Off the Field

2006-04-21T10:56:00.000-04:00

When Julio Franco stepped up to the plate last night in the top of the 8th in a one run game against the San Diego Padres, the first thing that ran through my head was, "He's gonna hit a home run here." Sure enough on the second pitch of the at-bat off San Diego reliever, Scott Linebrink, Franco hit one out to the smallest part of pitcher friendly PetCo Park. This go-ahead shot gave the Mets the boost they desperately needed in a game in which, up to that point, had a feeling of hopelessness. The entire mood and momentum of the game changed from that point on as the Mets exploded for six runs in the 8th inning on their way to a 7-2 victory to begin their 10-game road trip.
Although this home run was only Franco's second hit all season, he has provided much more for the Mets off the field than on up to this point. He has been a mentor and leader to a team cholkful of young and talented players, some of which were not born when Franco began his Major League career. He has even garnered respect from opposing players as he acted as the mediator between Pedro Martinez and Jose Guillen early in the season. Franco is able to provide guidance and help to a team that seems to have adopted him quickly as one of their own after years playing for the rival Atlanta Braves.
The importance of Franco's home run and the Mets' subsequent offensive explosion possesses much more value to the Mets than a simple home run. It provided the Mets with a needed spark to begin a long road trip. The feeling of the game last night completely shifted the moment that Franco's ball left the yard. Just prior to his at-bat, Kaz Matsui, who hit an inside-the-park home run in his first at-bat, failed to do his job and advance Xavier Nady to third after his leadoff double to begin the 8th. After Franco's homer, every Met had a smile on their face, and Franco's play was contagious as Jose Reyes singled, stole a base, and eventually scored on a brilliant drag bunt by Endy Chavez. Carlos Delgado then barely sneaked a homer over the 402 mark in right-center field. The Mets were on their way to a romp and an important win for team morale.
As the Mets progress this season Franco will probably not contribute a whole lot on the field, but his value in the clubhouse cannot be underestimated. He will continue to guide this young team as they pursue a division championship, something which many of these players have never experienced. Anything that Franco can provided on the field, like last night's performance, will only be an added bonus to what he can provide for the team.

Kentucky Derby Countdown: 16 days

2006-04-20T15:24:00.000-04:00

With the final major prep races past us, it is now time to cut the competition to those who have a legitimate chance at taking the Roses on May 6. The last prep race which I saw was the Arkansas Derby with Lawyer Ron taking the race. The story of Lawyer Ron harkens back to that of Smarty Jones and Afleet Alex in both their road to the Derby and the stories behind the people involved with the horse. Lawyer Ron's spent his winter and early spring at Oaklawn Park to race in the Rebel Stakes then the Arkansas Derby and his way to the Kentucky Derby. Afleet Alex and Smarty Jones took the same exact path to the Derby and look how both those turned out. Ron also appeals to the human side of the horse fan. His owner died this February in his home leaving the actual Lawyer Ron, Ron Bamberger, to act as the current owner.
Now, lets get down to the actual horse itself, is he capable of winning the first leg of the Triple Crown in a little more than two weeks? Many think that he can, however, I see some flaws in this horse and the competition which it has faced recently. In the Arkansas Derby, Ron suprisingly went out to the lead early in the run through the backstretch. It was quite obvious to me that his jockey, John McKee a relative unknown, was attempting to hold him back as he made this run for the lead. Once Ron took the lead, he never relinquished it, going on to win by 2 3/4 lengths over Steppenwolfer and a fading Private Vow. As he had the lead, he set blazing fractions as he ran a 23.00 1/4 mile, 46.2/5 1/2 mile, and a 1.10.4/5 6 furlongs. These fractions slowed down Lawyer Ron significantly in the final 1/2 mile as he finished the mile and 1/8 in an extremely slow 1.51.1/5, nearly 3 seconds off the pace of Sinister Minister and Brother Derek in their prep races.
Although it is impressive that Ron was able to hold onto the lead which he suprisingly took on the backstretch, the fact that he was not caught in an indictment on the competition which he had in the Arkansas. No other horse put in a significant run to challenge Lawyer Ron down the stretch. Private Vow, the only horse with a real chance at the win besides Ron heading into the stretch could do nothing but fade as Ron ran onto victory. The fact that Steppenwolfer could not make any legitimate closing run with such a frantic pace shows that maybe he is not a real contender for the Roses. Overall, this Arkansas Derby showed me that they were not a legitimate challenge for Lawyer Ron and they show no signs of making a huge step up on May 6.
When post time comes for the Kentucky Derby, Lawyer Ron and his connections will have high hopes for the day. However, Ron has never faced the quality of horse that he will face that day. He will not be able to set those same fractions that he did in the Arkansas Derby and expect to come out victorious in the Kentucky Derby. However, in the Rebel Stakes, the prep race for the Arkansas, Ron stayed off the pace, took the lead at the top of the stretch and never looked back. It is more likely that we will see this type of running style from Ron in the Derby, but will he be able to navigate his way to victory in the huge field that the Derby is known for? Can another horse out of Oaklawn dominate the Triple Crown for the third year in-a-row? Can John McKee handle the pressure of the big stage? All these questions and much more will be answered on May 6th at around 5:30pm when 20 or so horses participate in the most exciting 2 minutes in all of sports, the Kentucky Derby.

Mets 10-4

2006-04-19T21:16:00.000-04:00

If you thought that the New York Mets would be 3 games in front of the Atlanta Braves only 14 games into the season, raise your hand. I bet there is only a select few of you who have your hand up. The Mets have played a great few weeks of baseball. However, after losing two of three to the archrivals Braves, there is a bit of apprehension in Metland. Nine of the Mets' ten wins have come against teams which do not seem to have much of a future this season. The Nationals will be a mess as long as they don't have an owner, the Marlins are chalkful of rookies, and the Brewers seem to be destined for mediocrity.
The Mets needed to prove that they could beat the 14-time defending NL East Champions, and it seems as though they have failed to do that. However, when you examine the games which the Mets lost, you will see something vastly different in the teams which the Mets put on the field during their first 12 games. There was no Cliff Floyd,Carlos Beltran, and Anderson Hernandez in both of these losses. Instead, they had to settle for Endy Chavez, Jose Valentin, and Chris Woodward in their places. This left the powerful Mets lineup which was on display during the first two weeks of the season as only a JV team which could only muster 2 runs and 6 hits over two games.
Should Mets fans begin to panic and just think that these are the typical Mets who will ultimatley bow to the Braves for the 15th straight season? I say an emphatic "NO". The Mets that we saw over the past 2 games are not the real New York Mets. The real Mets include Carlos Beltran and Cliff Floyd in the middle of the lineup. The correct time to panic would be if the Mets were unable to bounce back from this temporary slide. This upcoming West Coast trip will tell us alot about this team. Good teams are able to bounce back quickly from adversity, and if the Mets can do that they will be a good team. I believe that they are a good team, and can bounce back from this, and will eventually dethrone these same Braves from their seat atop the NL East.

Hey Everyone

2006-04-19T20:49:00.000-04:00

Hey, I am a freshman at Syracuse University majoring in Newspaper Journalism. Hoping this could be a place for me to talk about sports as that is what I want to do in a career as a sports columnist. I'll probably talk about mostly everything besides hockey (just don't know enough about it). I am a New York Mets, Giants, Knicks, and Rangers fan, so there enlies my biases. I am a rare breed in that I love horse racing and will probably talk about it a little bit. I've been going to the track since I can remember, and the love for the sports seems to run in my family. I will try to update the blog just about everyday as things happen in the sports world. For most of the next few weeks I will probably focus on the Mets and happenings in the MLB. Tell me if you like the columns or even if you don't. So away we go.