upi--2020-11-06--Breeders' Cup World Championships bring $31 million in purses

LEXINGTON , Ky. , Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- Horse of the Year honors , international bragging rights and $ 31 million in purses and awards are on the line Friday and Saturday as the Breeders ' Cup World Championships return to the epicenter of U.S. Thoroughbred racing , Keeneland Race Course .
Fourteen races spread across the two days , culminating in the $ 6 million Classic , the $ 4 million Turf and the $ 2 million Distaff , all sponsored by Swiss watchmaker Longines .
While no fans will be in the stands at the Lexington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic precautions , the races drew a powerful group of international raiders that represent Ireland , England , France , Germany and Japan .
Here 's a look at the races , starting with a meaningful generational showdown in the Classic and working backward to the first race on `` Future Stars '' on Friday .
This year 's Classic drew a field of 10 with the best of the 3-year-olds taking on the best of their elders .
Trainer Bob Baffert holds a strong hand on both sides of that leger as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winner , Authentic , last year 's disqualified Kentucky Derby winner , Maximum Security , and 4-year-old Improbable , whose three-race winning streak makes him the 5-2 favorite on Saturday 's morning line .
Improbably , the trio drew the outside gates , with Improbable No .
8 with Irad Ortiz Jr. riding , Authentic and jockey John Velazquez starting from No .
9 , and Maximum Security and Luis Saez starting from gate 10 .
The other 3-year-old looking to land the classic is Tiz the Law , winner of the Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before finishing second to Authentic in the Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5 .
The rest of the older crowd includes Grade I Woodward Stakes winner Global Campaign , Grade I Clark Handicap victor Tom 's d ' Etat , Grade II Suburban winner Tacitus and Grade II Oaklawn Handicap winner By My Standards .
Reflective of the quality of the race by international standards , Maximum Security and Tacitus finished first and fifth , respectively , in the inaugural running of the $ 20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 29 in Riyadh .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday .
The winner , barring a big upset , is likely to be Horse of the Year .
The Eclipse Award for best 3-year-old probably will go to either Tiz the Law or Authentic , depending on the outcome of this race .
Asked Thursday to assess the race , Tom 's d'Etat 's trainer , Al Stall Jr. , said `` It looks like it 's going to be a trip race , a luck race .
It would n't surprise me if [ any of ] eight of the 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed , saying a victory by any of his three starters `` would n't surprise me at all .
I would n't be surprised by any of them .
...
I could see all three of them hitting the board .
`` But they 've got to get the trip .
The only pressure I feel is that they are three good horses and they should be right there . ''
And Tiz the Law 's venerable trainer , Barclay Tagg , added his thoughts about the fortunes of racing , saying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horse .
But I do n't have confidence in the luck .
A lot can happen in a race . ''
How tough is this 10-horse field ?
We 'll tell you how tough .
United , who finished second last year , falling just a head short of upsetting eventual Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar , is 8-1 on the morning line .
And it 's not like he 's been in a slump , either , as he comes off a win in the Trade II John Henry Turf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the American contingent is at least equally fearsome .
Channel Maker has back-to-back wins in the Grade I Saratoga Special and Grade I Turf Classic Invitational at Belmont Park .
And Arklow was last seen winning the Grade III Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs .
All of them will have to be on theirs toes , though , to deal with the cross-Atlantic invaders .
Ireland 's Coolmore juggernaut has two starters , led by Magical .
The 5-year-old Galileo mare is an international superstar with multiple Group 1 wins and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turf at Churchill Downs .
The `` second team '' for Coolmore is Mogul , a 3-year-old Galileo colt who was last seen winning the Group 1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp .
Tarnawa , a 4-year-old filly by Shamardal , has accounted for the Group 1 Qatar Prix Vermille and Group 1 Prix de l'Opera Longine in her last two starts .
John Gosden has two and gives Lord North 's reins to his go-to jockey , Frankie Dettori .
Lord North won the Grade I Prince of Wales 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's trainer , Bill Mott , was eyeing the turf course Thursday , musing , `` I am not sure how much the turf is going to firm up .
It 's not going to be a rock-hard turf course , even if it does n't rain between now and then . ''
This looks like a two-horse race with Preakness Stakes winner Swiss Skydiver passing up a run in the Classic to challenge 2018 Distaff winner Monomoy Girl 's long winning streak .
Fair enough .
Monomoy Girl was sidelined with various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come back stronger than ever to win all three starts this year .
The 5-year-old Tapizar mare also won her only previous start at Keeneland , the Grade I Ashland , as a 3-year-old , en route to Kentucky Oaks victory .
Swiss Skydiver , a Daredevil filly , won the Grade II Santa Anita Oaks and the Grade I Alabama at Saratoga before finishing second in the Kentucky Oaks .
Her victory in the Preakness tempted owner Peter Callahan and trainer Kenny McPeek to try the Classic .
Monomoy Girl 's trainer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he thinks about his 3-year-old rival and replied , `` I see what everyone else sees -- a very , very good filly .
She 's a champion 3-year-old filly for sure . ''
McPeek saw is slightly differently , saying : `` We 're excited .
She 's going to get a real good chance to show how good she is against some talented older fillies and mares for the first time . ''
Despite all that and despite appearances , this is not necessarily a two-horse race .
Harvest Moon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ row in California and appears ready to step up another notch .
And Valiance and Ollie 's Candy were 1-2 in the Grade I Spinster over the Keeneland track Oct. 3 .
Trainer Chad Brown again is well-represented in this event with last year 's winner , Uni , who comes off a win in the Grade I First Lady over the course Oct. 3 ; Digital Age , winner of the Grade I Turf Classic at Churchill Downs in his last outing ; and Raging Bull , second in the local Shadwell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field also includes Shadwell Turf Mile winner Ivar , also a Group 1 winner in Argentina .
Factor This and Halladay also have been competitive at this level .
As in the Turf , the international contingent for the Mile will be tough to beat .
Trainer Andrew Balding fields Kameko , a 3-year-old by top American turf sire Kitten 's Joy , who won the Group 2 Shadwell Joel Stakes at Newmarket with a thumping Racing Post Rating of 127 .
He also won the Group 1 Vertem Futurity last year and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is 6-1 on the morning line .
Aidan O'Brien 's string includes Circus Maximus , who was a closing fourth behind Uni last year , and Lope Y Fernandez , who needs a bit of a breakthrough .
One Master and Safe Voyage were first and third in the Group 1 Qatar Prix de la Foret on Arc day .
Siskin is a multiple group stakes winner .
The condition of the turf course is of great interest to the foreigners and Kameko 's rider .
Oisin Murphy , had a positive report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We breezed for 4 furlongs on the turf , '' Murphy said .
`` The ground was lovely , just kicking the top off , but it 's fairly fast underneath .
His lead changes were very natural .
He never overexerts himself in his work , but he felt really good . ''
Morning-line favorite Vekoma was scratched after spiking a fever and Yaupon inherited that honor .
The 3-year-old Uncle Mo colt is 4-for-4 and his record says jockey Joel Rosario will be playing `` catch me if you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There might be some who can .
Diamond Oops exits a pace-stalking victory in the Grade II Phoenix over the Keeneland sod in October .
C Z Rocket , Frank 's Rockette and Firenze Fire all have demonstrated closing ability in big races .
Jasper Prince comes from Japan to contest this event , but his record back home does not inspire confidence .
The aforementioned turf maestro Brown has four capable contenders for this 1 3/16-miles race with the best at the moment looking to be the 5-year-old More Than Ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she has won three in a row , lately the Grade I Diana at Saratoga Aug. 28 .
She has won five of six starts at Keeneland and , in her only previous Breeders ' Cup experience , won the Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar in 2017 .
Trainer Graham Motion brings Mean Mary , a 4-year-old filly by Scat Daddy , who finished second by a neck in the Diana , ending a three-race winning streak .
She 's improving .
Any of the four international contenders could challenge those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Gosden and Ryan Moore pilots Peaceful for Aidan O'Brien .
Audarya has blossomed of late in France but over wet going .
If she can translate that , she would figure in this .
Complexity is the 2-1 morning-line favorite in this race , which is a little tricky as it starts just before the clubhouse turn on the Keeneland main track .
The 4-year-old Maclean 's Music colt exits a victory in the Grade II Kelso Handicap at Belmont Park and was second the race before that in the Grade I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are others to consider here , including Art Collector , who missed the Kentucky Derby with a minor injury after five straight wins and now shortens up after running fourth in the Preakness on Oct 3 .
Knicks Go returned from a long layoff to win an allowance race at Keeneland by 10 1/4 lengths a month ago and is pointed in the right direction .
War of Will won the Grade I Maker 's Mark Mile on the grass at Keeneland in July but also won the Preakness last year on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unique , European-style Kentucky Downs layout down by the Kentucky-Tennessee border seem to do well in their next starts so it 's interesting that this 5 1/2-furlongs event includes the first three finishers from the Grade III Turf Sprint at KD back on Sept. 12 -- Imprimis , Front Run the Fed and Bombard .
All are well-regarded by the oddsmaker , too .
The favorite , however , is Got Stormy , a Get Stormy mare whose last effort was a victory in the Grade III Buffalo Trace Franklin County over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Before that , she easily won the Grade III Ladies Sprint -- at Kentucky Downs .
There is only one foreign entry -- Glass Slippers -- and it would not be a shocker to see her sneak into the picture at a decent price .
Saturday 's Breeders ' Cup program opens with a race with a solid favorite -- Gamine .
The Baffert trainee was unbeaten in four one-turn races , then could n't quite handle the 1 1/8 miles of the Kentucky Oaks , finishing a fading third but still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Swiss Skydiver .
The Into Mischief filly has been training gangbusters in California for this 7-furlongs dash .
They 'll have to catch her to beat her and those trying to do that include 2019 Kentucky Oaks winner Serengeti Empress and Bell 's the One .
Here 's a look at Friday 's Breeders ' Cup races , all for 2-year-olds , again from last to first : All roads in this 1 1/16-miles test go through Jackie 's Warrior , a Maclean 's Music colt trained by Steve Asmussen .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saratoga Special , Grade I Hopeful and Grade I Champagne in succession , all by comfortable margins .
Of course , Dennis 's Moment looked unbeatable in this race last year at Santa Anita , then stumbled out of the gate and was never competitive again .
His trainer , Dale Romans , is back with Sittin On Go , a Brody 's Cause colt , and Romans said that name is just right for him in this race .
`` Put him on your ticket .
He 'll get a piece of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is another wildly competitive race , at least on paper .
The morning-line favorite is Aunt Pearl , winner of the Grade II Jessamine Stakes over the course Oct. 7 .
But it 's hard to look past Campanelle , an Irish-bred miss trained by Ward with Frankie Dettori booked to ride .
She is 3-for-3 , with those wins including the Group 2 Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and the Group 1 Prix Morny Aug. 23 at Deauville .
Miss Amulet has been ultraconsistent racing in Ireland and England and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket .
This race has the shortest field of the weekend with just seven entries .
It 's a classic regional showdown with the favorite , Princess Noor , 3-for-3 , all in California , and the next two on the morning line , Dayoutoftheoffice and Simply Ravishing , easterners .
All three are Grade I winners .
But , then , so is Vequist , who is 8-1 on the morning line .
This 1-mile event , another with an overflow field , could not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mutsaabeq , is 5-1 on the morning line after winning the Grade II Bourbon over the course Oct. 4 in his first try on the grass .
There are impressive winners from Canada , New York , Ireland , England and France .
Some of the Europeans have impressive performance lines from their recent races but beware -- some of those were on very soft or heavy turf and the grass at Keeneland promises to be quite firm .
It makes a big difference for many horses .
Another full field , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who nominated three colts , two geldings and a filly .
Three of them are on the `` also eligible '' list , though .
Ward does have the favorite , Golden Pal .
The Uncle Mo colt finished second in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot in June , then won the Skidmore Stakes Aug 21 at Keeneland , over this same 5 1/2 furlongs .
He is draw in the outside gate but speed should negate that disadvantage .
The three European entries are all at long odds on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Lipizzaner , from the Coolmore-O'Brien-Moore connections .
He 's also by Uncle Mo .

Tiz the Law (seen winning this year's Belmont Stakes) is among the favorites in Saturday's $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland. Photo by Chelsea Durand, courtesy of New York Racing Association.
LEXINGTON, Ky., Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Horse of the Year honors, international bragging rights and $31 million in purses and awards are on the line Friday and Saturday as the Breeders' Cup World Championships return to the epicenter of U.S. Thoroughbred racing, Keeneland Race Course. Fourteen races spread across the two days, culminating in the $6 million Classic, the $4 million Turf and the $2 million Distaff, all sponsored by Swiss watchmaker Longines. Advertisement
While no fans will be in the stands at the Lexington, Ky., track because of the pandemic precautions, the races drew a powerful group of international raiders that represent Ireland, England, France, Germany and Japan.
Here's a look at the races, starting with a meaningful generational showdown in the Classic and working backward to the first race on "Future Stars" on Friday.
Longines Classic
This year's Classic drew a field of 10 with the best of the 3-year-olds taking on the best of their elders.
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Trainer Bob Baffert holds a strong hand on both sides of that leger as he saddles this year's Kentucky Derby winner, Authentic, last year's disqualified Kentucky Derby winner, Maximum Security, and 4-year-old Improbable, whose three-race winning streak makes him the 5-2 favorite on Saturday's morning line.
Improbably, the trio drew the outside gates, with Improbable No. 8 with Irad Ortiz Jr. riding, Authentic and jockey John Velazquez starting from No. 9, and Maximum Security and Luis Saez starting from gate 10.
The other 3-year-old looking to land the classic is Tiz the Law, winner of the Florida Derby, Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes before finishing second to Authentic in the Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5.
The rest of the older crowd includes Grade I Woodward Stakes winner Global Campaign, Grade I Clark Handicap victor Tom's d' Etat, Grade II Suburban winner Tacitus and Grade II Oaklawn Handicap winner By My Standards.
Reflective of the quality of the race by international standards, Maximum Security and Tacitus finished first and fifth, respectively, in the inaugural running of the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 29 in Riyadh.
More than purse money is at stake Saturday. The winner, barring a big upset, is likely to be Horse of the Year. The Eclipse Award for best 3-year-old probably will go to either Tiz the Law or Authentic, depending on the outcome of this race.
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Asked Thursday to assess the race, Tom's d'Etat's trainer, Al Stall Jr., said "It looks like it's going to be a trip race, a luck race. It wouldn't surprise me if [any of] eight of the 10 horses won the race."
Baffert agreed, saying a victory by any of his three starters "wouldn't surprise me at all. I wouldn't be surprised by any of them. ... I could see all three of them hitting the board.
"But they've got to get the trip. The only pressure I feel is that they are three good horses and they should be right there."
And Tiz the Law's venerable trainer, Barclay Tagg, added his thoughts about the fortunes of racing, saying, "I've got confidence in the horse. But I don't have confidence in the luck. A lot can happen in a race."
Longines Turf
How tough is this 10-horse field? We'll tell you how tough. United, who finished second last year, falling just a head short of upsetting eventual Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar, is 8-1 on the morning line. And it's not like he's been in a slump, either, as he comes off a win in the Trade II John Henry Turf Classic at Santa Anita.
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The rest of the American contingent is at least equally fearsome. Channel Maker has back-to-back wins in the Grade I Saratoga Special and Grade I Turf Classic Invitational at Belmont Park. And Arklow was last seen winning the Grade III Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs.
All of them will have to be on theirs toes, though, to deal with the cross-Atlantic invaders.
Ireland's Coolmore juggernaut has two starters, led by Magical. The 5-year-old Galileo mare is an international superstar with multiple Group 1 wins and finished second to Enable in the 2018 Turf at Churchill Downs.
The "second team" for Coolmore is Mogul, a 3-year-old Galileo colt who was last seen winning the Group 1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp.
Tarnawa, a 4-year-old filly by Shamardal, has accounted for the Group 1 Qatar Prix Vermille and Group 1 Prix de l'Opera Longine in her last two starts. John Gosden has two and gives Lord North's reins to his go-to jockey, Frankie Dettori. Lord North won the Grade I Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Channel Maker's trainer, Bill Mott, was eyeing the turf course Thursday, musing, "I am not sure how much the turf is going to firm up. It's not going to be a rock-hard turf course, even if it doesn't rain between now and then."
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Longines Distaff
This looks like a two-horse race with Preakness Stakes winner Swiss Skydiver passing up a run in the Classic to challenge 2018 Distaff winner Monomoy Girl's long winning streak. Fair enough.
Monomoy Girl was sidelined with various maladies after the 2018 victory but has come back stronger than ever to win all three starts this year. The 5-year-old Tapizar mare also won her only previous start at Keeneland, the Grade I Ashland, as a 3-year-old, en route to Kentucky Oaks victory.
Swiss Skydiver, a Daredevil filly, won the Grade II Santa Anita Oaks and the Grade I Alabama at Saratoga before finishing second in the Kentucky Oaks. Her victory in the Preakness tempted owner Peter Callahan and trainer Kenny McPeek to try the Classic.
Monomoy Girl's trainer, Brad Cox, was asked Thursday what he thinks about his 3-year-old rival and replied, "I see what everyone else sees -- a very, very good filly. She's a champion 3-year-old filly for sure."
McPeek saw is slightly differently, saying: "We're excited. She's going to get a real good chance to show how good she is against some talented older fillies and mares for the first time."
Despite all that and despite appearances, this is not necessarily a two-horse race. Harvest Moon has posted four nice wins in a row in California and appears ready to step up another notch. And Valiance and Ollie's Candy were 1-2 in the Grade I Spinster over the Keeneland track Oct. 3.
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Fanduel Mile (turf)
Trainer Chad Brown again is well-represented in this event with last year's winner, Uni, who comes off a win in the Grade I First Lady over the course Oct. 3; Digital Age, winner of the Grade I Turf Classic at Churchill Downs in his last outing; and Raging Bull, second in the local Shadwell Turf Mile a month ago.
The field also includes Shadwell Turf Mile winner Ivar, also a Group 1 winner in Argentina. Factor This and Halladay also have been competitive at this level.
As in the Turf, the international contingent for the Mile will be tough to beat. Trainer Andrew Balding fields Kameko, a 3-year-old by top American turf sire Kitten's Joy, who won the Group 2 Shadwell Joel Stakes at Newmarket with a thumping Racing Post Rating of 127. He also won the Group 1 Vertem Futurity last year and the Qipco 2000 Guineas this season and is 6-1 on the morning line.
Aidan O'Brien's string includes Circus Maximus, who was a closing fourth behind Uni last year, and Lope Y Fernandez, who needs a bit of a breakthrough. One Master and Safe Voyage were first and third in the Group 1 Qatar Prix de la Foret on Arc day. Siskin is a multiple group stakes winner.
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The condition of the turf course is of great interest to the foreigners and Kameko's rider. Oisin Murphy, had a positive report after giving it a try Thursday.
"We breezed for 4 furlongs on the turf," Murphy said. "The ground was lovely, just kicking the top off, but it's fairly fast underneath. His lead changes were very natural. He never overexerts himself in his work, but he felt really good."
Sprint
Morning-line favorite Vekoma was scratched after spiking a fever and Yaupon inherited that honor. The 3-year-old Uncle Mo colt is 4-for-4 and his record says jockey Joel Rosario will be playing "catch me if you can" from the No. 10 gate. There might be some who can.
Diamond Oops exits a pace-stalking victory in the Grade II Phoenix over the Keeneland sod in October. C Z Rocket, Frank's Rockette and Firenze Fire all have demonstrated closing ability in big races. Jasper Prince comes from Japan to contest this event, but his record back home does not inspire confidence.
Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf
The aforementioned turf maestro Brown has four capable contenders for this 1 3/16-miles race with the best at the moment looking to be the 5-year-old More Than Ready mare Rushing Fall.
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Raced rather sparingly, she has won three in a row, lately the Grade I Diana at Saratoga Aug. 28. She has won five of six starts at Keeneland and, in her only previous Breeders' Cup experience, won the Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar in 2017.
Trainer Graham Motion brings Mean Mary, a 4-year-old filly by Scat Daddy, who finished second by a neck in the Diana, ending a three-race winning streak. She's improving.
Any of the four international contenders could challenge those. Frankie Dettori rides Terebellum for trainer John Gosden and Ryan Moore pilots Peaceful for Aidan O'Brien. Audarya has blossomed of late in France but over wet going. If she can translate that, she would figure in this.
Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile
Complexity is the 2-1 morning-line favorite in this race, which is a little tricky as it starts just before the clubhouse turn on the Keeneland main track.
The 4-year-old Maclean's Music colt exits a victory in the Grade II Kelso Handicap at Belmont Park and was second the race before that in the Grade I Forego at Saratoga in the slop.
There are others to consider here, including Art Collector, who missed the Kentucky Derby with a minor injury after five straight wins and now shortens up after running fourth in the Preakness on Oct 3.
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Knicks Go returned from a long layoff to win an allowance race at Keeneland by 10 1/4 lengths a month ago and is pointed in the right direction. War of Will won the Grade I Maker's Mark Mile on the grass at Keeneland in July but also won the Preakness last year on the dirt.
Turf Sprint
Horses who raced over the unique, European-style Kentucky Downs layout down by the Kentucky-Tennessee border seem to do well in their next starts so it's interesting that this 5 1/2-furlongs event includes the first three finishers from the Grade III Turf Sprint at KD back on Sept. 12 -- Imprimis, Front Run the Fed and Bombard.
All are well-regarded by the oddsmaker, too. The favorite, however, is Got Stormy, a Get Stormy mare whose last effort was a victory in the Grade III Buffalo Trace Franklin County over the course and distance of this heat.
Before that, she easily won the Grade III Ladies Sprint -- at Kentucky Downs. There is only one foreign entry -- Glass Slippers -- and it would not be a shocker to see her sneak into the picture at a decent price.
Filly & Mare Sprint
Saturday's Breeders' Cup program opens with a race with a solid favorite -- Gamine. The Baffert trainee was unbeaten in four one-turn races, then couldn't quite handle the 1 1/8 miles of the Kentucky Oaks, finishing a fading third but still just 1 1/2 lengths behind the runner-up, Swiss Skydiver.
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The Into Mischief filly has been training gangbusters in California for this 7-furlongs dash. They'll have to catch her to beat her and those trying to do that include 2019 Kentucky Oaks winner Serengeti Empress and Bell's the One.
Here's a look at Friday's Breeders' Cup races, all for 2-year-olds, again from last to first:
Juvenile
All roads in this 1 1/16-miles test go through Jackie's Warrior, a Maclean's Music colt trained by Steve Asmussen. He is 4-for-4, taking the Grade II Saratoga Special, Grade I Hopeful and Grade I Champagne in succession, all by comfortable margins.
Of course, Dennis's Moment looked unbeatable in this race last year at Santa Anita, then stumbled out of the gate and was never competitive again. His trainer, Dale Romans, is back with Sittin On Go, a Brody's Cause colt, and Romans said that name is just right for him in this race.
"Put him on your ticket. He'll get a piece of it," Romans said Wednesday night.
Juvenile Fillies Turf
This is another wildly competitive race, at least on paper. The morning-line favorite is Aunt Pearl, winner of the Grade II Jessamine Stakes over the course Oct. 7.
But it's hard to look past Campanelle, an Irish-bred miss trained by Ward with Frankie Dettori booked to ride. She is 3-for-3, with those wins including the Group 2 Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and the Group 1 Prix Morny Aug. 23 at Deauville.
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Miss Amulet has been ultraconsistent racing in Ireland and England and just missed in her last start, the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket.
Juvenile Fillies
This race has the shortest field of the weekend with just seven entries. It's a classic regional showdown with the favorite, Princess Noor, 3-for-3, all in California, and the next two on the morning line, Dayoutoftheoffice and Simply Ravishing, easterners. All three are Grade I winners. But, then, so is Vequist, who is 8-1 on the morning line.
Juvenile Turf
This 1-mile event, another with an overflow field, could not be more wide open. The favorite, Mutsaabeq, is 5-1 on the morning line after winning the Grade II Bourbon over the course Oct. 4 in his first try on the grass.
There are impressive winners from Canada, New York, Ireland, England and France. Some of the Europeans have impressive performance lines from their recent races but beware -- some of those were on very soft or heavy turf and the grass at Keeneland promises to be quite firm. It makes a big difference for many horses.
Juvenile Turf Sprint
Another full field, thanks largely to trainer Wesley Ward, who nominated three colts, two geldings and a filly. Three of them are on the "also eligible" list, though.
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Ward does have the favorite, Golden Pal. The Uncle Mo colt finished second in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, then won the Skidmore Stakes Aug 21 at Keeneland, over this same 5 1/2 furlongs. He is draw in the outside gate but speed should negate that disadvantage.
The three European entries are all at long odds on the morning line but globalists might look at Lipizzaner, from the Coolmore-O'Brien-Moore connections. He's also by Uncle Mo.


upi--2020-11-06--Seahawks' Jamal Adams to return vs. Bills; RBs Chris Carson, Carlos Hyde out

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams will return from his four-game absence Sunday against the Buffalo Bills , but the team will once again be without running backs Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde .
The Seahawks ( 6-1 ) listed Carson , Hyde and four others as out for their game against the Bills this weekend .
Cornerback Shaquill Griffin ( concussion/hamstring ) , defensive end Benson Mayowa ( ankle ) , defensive back Ugo Amadi ( hamstring ) and left guard Mike Iupati ( back ) also were ruled out for Seattle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designations on the team 's final injury report ahead of their showdown with the Bills ( 6-2 ) .
The absences of Carson ( foot ) and Hyde ( hamstring ) for the second consecutive week leaves the Seahawks with rookie DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer as the only healthy running backs on their 53-man roster .
Seattle signed former Baltimore Ravens tailback Alex Collins to its practice squad earlier this week and could elevate him prior to kickoff .
Carson initially planned to test his sprained foot during Friday 's practice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that plan was abandoned .
`` He could n't make it today , '' Carroll told reporters Friday .
`` Today was going to be the day we tried to decide where he was and they did n't feel like it was right to bring him out there today , so we 've got to leave him home , take care of him and get him ready for next week . ''
Dallas made his first career start in the Seahawks ' win over the San Francisco 49ers last week .
He recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caught five passes for 17 yards with two total touchdowns in the matchup .
Homer only saw seven offensive snaps in that game while playing on a bruised knee .
He did n't practice Wednesday and was limited Thursday and Friday .
Adams , a two-time Pro Bowler , has been sidelined since Week 3 because of a groin injury .
He was on track to return last week before a non-COVID-19 illness forced him to sit out .
`` He reported coming off the rehab really fit and so he looked great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` He was flying .
I do n't see any reason to restrict him at all . ''
The Seahawks are set to take on the Bills at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday at Bills Stadium .

Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson (32) was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills due to a foot injury. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams will return from his four-game absence Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, but the team will once again be without running backs Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde. The Seahawks (6-1) listed Carson, Hyde and four others as out for their game against the Bills this weekend. Cornerback Shaquill Griffin (concussion/hamstring), defensive end Benson Mayowa (ankle), defensive back Ugo Amadi (hamstring) and left guard Mike Iupati (back) also were ruled out for Seattle. Advertisement
No other Seahawks players had game designations on the team's final injury report ahead of their showdown with the Bills (6-2).
The absences of Carson (foot) and Hyde (hamstring) for the second consecutive week leaves the Seahawks with rookie DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer as the only healthy running backs on their 53-man roster. Seattle signed former Baltimore Ravens tailback Alex Collins to its practice squad earlier this week and could elevate him prior to kickoff.
Carson initially planned to test his sprained foot during Friday's practice, but Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said that plan was abandoned.
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"He couldn't make it today," Carroll told reporters Friday. "Today was going to be the day we tried to decide where he was and they didn't feel like it was right to bring him out there today, so we've got to leave him home, take care of him and get him ready for next week."
Dallas made his first career start in the Seahawks' win over the San Francisco 49ers last week. He recorded 41 rushing yards on 18 carries and caught five passes for 17 yards with two total touchdowns in the matchup.
Homer only saw seven offensive snaps in that game while playing on a bruised knee. He didn't practice Wednesday and was limited Thursday and Friday.
Adams, a two-time Pro Bowler, has been sidelined since Week 3 because of a groin injury. He was on track to return last week before a non-COVID-19 illness forced him to sit out.
"He reported coming off the rehab really fit and so he looked great this week," Carroll said. "He was flying. I don't see any reason to restrict him at all."
The Seahawks are set to take on the Bills at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday at Bills Stadium.
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This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-06--Arizona-Utah football game called off due to COVID-19 cases, contact tracing

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- Saturday 's season opener between the Arizona Wildcats and Utah Utes has been canceled after multiple Utah football players tested positive for the coronavirus .
Utah 's positive tests left the team without enough available scholarship players due to isolation and contact tracing .
It marks the second cancellation ahead of the Pac-12 's delayed opening weekend .
On Thursday , this weekend 's matchup between the Washington Huskies and California Golden Bears was scrapped because of a COVID-19 case at Cal .
As a result of the case , several players -- including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for contact tracing .
`` The cancellation of this game , following [ Thursday 's ] cancellation of the Washington at Cal football game , is of course incredibly disappointing to our student-athletes and our fans , '' the Pac-12 said in a statement Friday .
`` At the same time , it is an indication that our health and safety protocols are working in identifying positive cases and contact tracing cases .
`` While all of us want to see our football student-athletes on the field competing , our number one priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety of all those connected to the Pac-12 football programs . ''
Utah did n't disclose the total number of players who tested positive or were out due to contact tracing .
Utes athletic director Mark Harlan said the group is in isolation after the results surfaced Friday morning .
Under Pac-12 rules , the game will be deemed a no contest .

Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Saturday's season opener between the Arizona Wildcats and Utah Utes has been canceled after multiple Utah football players tested positive for the coronavirus.
Utah's positive tests left the team without enough available scholarship players due to isolation and contact tracing.
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It marks the second cancellation ahead of the Pac-12's delayed opening weekend. On Thursday, this weekend's matchup between the Washington Huskies and California Golden Bears was scrapped because of a COVID-19 case at Cal. As a result of the case, several players -- including an entire position group -- were quarantined for contact tracing.
"The cancellation of this game, following [Thursday's] cancellation of the Washington at Cal football game, is of course incredibly disappointing to our student-athletes and our fans," the Pac-12 said in a statement Friday. "At the same time, it is an indication that our health and safety protocols are working in identifying positive cases and contact tracing cases.
"While all of us want to see our football student-athletes on the field competing, our number one priority must continue to be the health and safety of all those connected to the Pac-12 football programs."
Advertisement Comments from @MarkHarlan_AD and @UtahCoachWhitt on the cancellation of Saturday's season-opening football game.https://t.co/nxwWRhEU48— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) November 6, 2020
Utah didn't disclose the total number of players who tested positive or were out due to contact tracing. Utes athletic director Mark Harlan said the group is in isolation after the results surfaced Friday morning.
Under Pac-12 rules, the game will be deemed a no contest.


upi--2020-11-06--Alabama Crimson Tide RB Trey Sanders in stable condition after car crash

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- Alabama Crimson Tide running back Trey Sanders was hospitalized after being involved in a @ @ @ @ @ the school said .
Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban announced in a statement that @ @ @ @ @ with non-life-threatening injuries following the crash .
`` We are in direct contact with his @ @ @ @ @ are treating him as we continue to gather more information , '' Saban said in @ @ @ @ @ crash occurred in Florida , where Sanders is from .
He was at Alabama 's @ @ @ @ @ place Thursday in Tuscaloosa , Ala. , before returning to his home state .
The @ @ @ @ @ off ahead of their next game .
Alabama is scheduled to play LSU on Nov. @ @ @ @ @ redshirt freshman who missed last season due to a foot injury , is third on @ @ @ @ @ yards this season .
He was the nation 's top running back prospect in the @ @ @ @

The Alabama Crimson Tide have an open date this weekend before a matchup against LSU on Nov. 14. File Photo by Mark Wallheiser/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Alabama Crimson Tide running back Trey Sanders was hospitalized after being involved in a car accident Friday morning, the school said. Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban announced in a statement that Sanders was in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries following the crash. Advertisement
"We are in direct contact with his family and the physicians that are treating him as we continue to gather more information," Saban said in the statement Friday.
The crash occurred in Florida, where Sanders is from. He was at Alabama's last practice, which took place Thursday in Tuscaloosa, Ala., before returning to his home state.
The team was given the weekend off ahead of their next game. Alabama is scheduled to play LSU on Nov. 14.
Sanders, a redshirt freshman who missed last season due to a foot injury, is third on the team with 134 rushing yards this season. He was the nation's top running back prospect in the 2019 recruiting class.


upi--2020-11-06--Joe Biden takes lead over Donald Trump in Georgia, Pennsylvania, expands Nevada edge

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- The tight presidential race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden shifted in Pennsylvania , Georgia and Nevada on Friday as the former vice president surges ahead in vote counts .
In Pennsylvania , Biden grew his lead to about 21,700 votes , according to state figures updated midday Friday .
Biden outpaced Trump by about 428,000 ballots in the latest count from Philadelphia .
As of Thursday night , Trump had led by about 18,000 votes in a race that 's been steadily narrowing since Wednesday .
At one point on Election Night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a half-million votes .
About 23,000 mail ballots remained to be tabulated in Philadelphia County , according to Pennsylvania 's Department of State , with a small number of precincts yet to report final numbers in in-person voting .
City Commission Chairwoman Lisa Deeley said in a noontime news conference , cautioning it may take `` several days '' to complete the count .
Statewide , some 102,000 mail ballots cast have yet to be counted , just under 4 % of the mail-in ballot total .
The largest chunk of outstanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some 36,000 ballots .
About 29,000 of them are had a printing error , and in some cases , voters either submitted a new , corrected mail ballot or received a provisional ballot during in-person voting .
As elections officials closed in on finishing the mail ballot counting , their attention with then turn toward provisional ballots .
These ballots likely will take time to evaluate , verify and count .
Meanwhile , the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ordered that all mail ballots that arrived after Election Day be segregated and counted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be kept separate , though .
Pennsylvania Republicans had asked the U.S. Supreme Court for the order earlier in the day .
Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar said the late-arriving ballots were already being separated and had not yet been counted .
The state Supreme Court ruled in September that all mail-in ballots postmarked by Nov. 3 would be accepted and counted up to three days after Election Day .
Biden 's electoral count remains at 253 to Trump 's 213 , according to projections by CBS News and CNN , NBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A total of 71 electoral votes were still up for grabs in six states -- Pennsylvania ( 20 ) , Georgia ( 16 ) , Arizona ( 11 ) , North Carolina ( 15 ) , Nevada ( 6 ) a , nd Alaska ( 3 ) .
There is also one electoral vote in a Maine district that has not been projected .
Biden will deliver a prime-time address on Friday night , campaign aides said .
In Georgia , Biden 's lead grew by more than 4,000 votes after officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has made accusations of voter fraud without any supporting evidence , would need to secure both Georgia and Pennsylvania to win re-election .
`` We 're not seeing any widespread irregularities , '' voting system implementation manager Gabriel Sterling said .
`` We 're investigating any credible accusation with any real evidence behind it . ''
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said Friday afternoon that a recount is all but certain .
`` The final tally in Georgia at this point has huge implications for the entire country , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high and emotions are high on all sides .
We will not let those debates distract us from our work .
We will get it right , and we will defend the integrity of our elections . ''
In Georgia , a recount is mandatory if the difference between the candidates is 0.5 % or smaller .
Biden presently has a lead of less than 0.1 % , with a few thousands ballots left to count .
Only about 4,000 votes remain to be counted statewide , Sterling told reporters .
About 3,500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County in suburban Atlanta , he said .
In Nevada , Biden grew his lead over Trump in new votes tabulated Friday .
Biden , who began Friday with a lead of about 11,000 votes , increased the margin to more than 22,600 , according to the updated official numbers .
Nevada began Friday with more than 190,000 ballots remaining to be counted -- 90 % of which were in Clark County , which contains Las Vegas and is heavily Democratic .
In Arizona , Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said counting will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 270,000 ballots remaining .
About half of those are in Maricopa County .
Biden leads with 1,604,000 votes to Trump 's 1,537,000 , a 1 % or nearly 30,000-vote margin .
In North Carolina , Trump holds a lead of about 80,000 votes , according to official state data .

Balloons and signs fill the fence between Black Lives Matter Plaza and Lafayette Park near the White House on Monday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The tight presidential race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden shifted in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Nevada on Friday as the former vice president surges ahead in vote counts. In a televised appearance just before 11 p.m. Friday in Wilmington, Del., Biden said, "We're going to win this race." Advertisement
Standing alongside his running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, Biden said he is on track to win over 300 electoral votes and urged patience while the final ballots are counted.
"We have to remain calm, patient, let the process work out as we count all the votes."
Biden said he would not wait to get to work on the nation's problems, most urgently an economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. He and Harris have begun meeting with health and economic experts.
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"On day one, we're going to put our plan to control this virus into action," he said.
Biden's electoral count remains at 253 to Trump's 213, according to projections by CBS News and CNN, NBC News. It takes 270 to win.
In Pennsylvania, Biden grew his lead to about 28,000 votes, according to state figures late Friday.
About 21,000 mail ballots remained to be tabulated in Philadelphia County, according to Pennsylvania's Department of State, with a small number of precincts yet to report final numbers in in-person voting. City Commission Chairwoman Lisa Deeley said in a noontime news conference, cautioning it may take "several days" to complete the count.
Statewide, some 89,000 mail ballots cast have yet to be counted, just over 3% of the mail-in ballot total.
The largest chunk of outstanding mail-in ballots were in Allegheny County. About 29,000 of them are had a printing error, and in some cases, voters either submitted a new, corrected mail ballot or received a provisional ballot during in-person voting.
As elections officials closed in on finishing the mail ballot counting, their attention with then turn toward provisional ballots. These ballots likely will take time to evaluate, verify and count.
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Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ordered that all mail ballots that arrived after Election Day be segregated and counted. The totals from those ballots must be kept separate, though.
Pennsylvania Republicans had asked the U.S. Supreme Court for the order earlier in the day. Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar said the late-arriving ballots were already being separated and had not yet been counted.
The state Supreme Court ruled in September that all mail-in ballots postmarked by Nov. 3 would be accepted and counted up to three days after Election Day.
A total of 71 electoral votes were still up for grabs in six states -- Pennsylvania (20), Georgia (16), Arizona (11), North Carolina (15), Nevada (6) and Alaska (3). There is also one electoral vote in a Maine district that has not been projected.
In Georgia, Biden's lead grew by more than 4,000 votes after officials updated their count Friday evening.
Trump, who has made accusations of voter fraud without any supporting evidence, would need to secure both Georgia and Pennsylvania to win re-election.
"We're not seeing any widespread irregularities," voting system implementation manager Gabriel Sterling said. "We're investigating any credible accusation with any real evidence behind it."
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Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said Friday afternoon that a recount is all but certain.
"The final tally in Georgia at this point has huge implications for the entire country," he said. "The stakes are high and emotions are high on all sides. We will not let those debates distract us from our work. We will get it right, and we will defend the integrity of our elections."
In Georgia, a recount is mandatory if the difference between the candidates is 0.5% or smaller. Biden presently has a lead of less than 0.1%, with a few thousands ballots left to count.
Only about 4,000 votes remain to be counted statewide, Sterling told reporters. About 3,500 of those votes were in Democratic-leaning Gwinnett County in suburban Atlanta, he said.
In Nevada, Biden grew his lead over Trump in new votes tabulated Friday.
Biden, who began Friday with a lead of about 11,000 votes, increased the margin to more than 22,600, according to the updated official numbers.
Nevada began Friday with more than 190,000 ballots remaining to be counted -- 90% of which were in Clark County, which contains Las Vegas and is heavily Democratic.
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In Arizona, Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said counting will extend to the weekend with 250,000 to 270,000 ballots remaining. About half of those are in Maricopa County.
Biden leads with 1,604,000 votes to Trump's 1,537,000, a 1% or nearly 30,000-vote margin.
In North Carolina, Trump holds a lead of about 80,000 votes, according to official state data.


upi--2020-11-06--Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen, others out as Steve Cohen takes over team

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- The New York Mets have parted ways with general manager Brodie Van Wagenen and a significant portion of his front office , the team announced Friday .
The moves were revealed less than an hour after billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen completed his $ 2.4 billion purchase of the Mets .
Assistant general managers Allard Baird and Adam Guttridge , special assistant to the general manager Omar Minaya and executive director of player development Jared Banner also are leaving the franchise .
The status of senior vice president and senior strategy officer John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchase of the Mets ended the Wilpon family 's control of the team after 34 years .
In his first move , he hired former Mets general manager Sandy Alderson as team president .
He then ended Jeff Wilpon 's tenure as chief operating officer .
Alderson announced the staff departures , saying he has already started the process of building a leadership staff .
`` I want to thank Brodie , Allard , Adam and Jared for their contributions over the last two years , '' Alderson said in a statement Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Omar for his long and distinguished service to the Mets in many important capacities . ''
Van Wagenen , 46 , was a player agent at Creative Artists Agency before Wilpon hired him to replace Alderson after the 2018 season .
Under Van Wagenen , the Mets posted an 86-76 record in 2019 , followed by a 26-34 mark in the shortened 2020 campaign .
Many of Van Wagenen 's high-profile moves failed to work out , including acquiring second baseman Robinson Cano and signing free agents Jed Lowrie and Todd Frazier .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his former clients .
`` I am grateful to Jeff for both the incredible opportunity and the unwavering support that he gave to me while in my role of GM , '' Van Wagenen said Friday .
`` We took a team that had suffered losing seasons in 2017 and 2018 to contention in 2019 and onto a chance for real success in 2020 prior to the pandemic .
`` The energy and excitement of the fans in 2019 will stay in our minds forever .
... Congratulations to Steve Cohen on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope that your energy , competitiveness and resources will be welcomed by Major League Baseball .
The sport can benefit from your fearlessness and aggressiveness . ''

New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, seen during a summer camp workout on July 17, sits behind cardboard cutouts of fans in the stands. He was hired as the Mets' GM prior to the 2019 season. File Photo by Corey Sipkin/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The New York Mets have parted ways with general manager Brodie Van Wagenen and a significant portion of his front office, the team announced Friday. The moves were revealed less than an hour after billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen completed his $2.4 billion purchase of the Mets. Advertisement
Assistant general managers Allard Baird and Adam Guttridge, special assistant to the general manager Omar Minaya and executive director of player development Jared Banner also are leaving the franchise. The status of senior vice president and senior strategy officer John Ricco wasn't disclosed.
Cohen's purchase of the Mets ended the Wilpon family's control of the team after 34 years. In his first move, he hired former Mets general manager Sandy Alderson as team president. He then ended Jeff Wilpon's tenure as chief operating officer.
Alderson announced the staff departures, saying he has already started the process of building a leadership staff.
"I want to thank Brodie, Allard, Adam and Jared for their contributions over the last two years," Alderson said in a statement Friday. "I especially want to thank Omar for his long and distinguished service to the Mets in many important capacities."
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Van Wagenen, 46, was a player agent at Creative Artists Agency before Wilpon hired him to replace Alderson after the 2018 season. Under Van Wagenen, the Mets posted an 86-76 record in 2019, followed by a 26-34 mark in the shortened 2020 campaign.
Many of Van Wagenen's high-profile moves failed to work out, including acquiring second baseman Robinson Cano and signing free agents Jed Lowrie and Todd Frazier. All three of those players were among his former clients.
"I am grateful to Jeff for both the incredible opportunity and the unwavering support that he gave to me while in my role of GM," Van Wagenen said Friday. "We took a team that had suffered losing seasons in 2017 and 2018 to contention in 2019 and onto a chance for real success in 2020 prior to the pandemic.
"The energy and excitement of the fans in 2019 will stay in our minds forever. ... Congratulations to Steve Cohen on the purchase of your hometown team. I hope that your energy, competitiveness and resources will be welcomed by Major League Baseball. The sport can benefit from your fearlessness and aggressiveness."


upi--2020-11-06--3M ramps up N95 production amid shortage; surges prompt new orders in states

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- Manufacturer 3M said it 's increasing production of N95 respirator masks as the United States experiences a shortage amid a surge of COVID-19 cases .
The Minnesota-based company said it installed two new production lines at its Aberdeen , S.D.
, factory to cope with the increase in demand .
3M said it 's using Defense Department grants to add 120,000 square feet of production space , according to the Argus Leader .
N95 respirators are among the most effective face masks , filtering out at least 95 % of small particles .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other medical professionals .
Hospitals , nursing homes and other health facilities have experienced shortages of the respirators since the very beginning of the pandemic in the United States , and while production ramped up as the months went on , there is still an insufficient supply .
`` U.S. and global demand for [ personal protective equipment ] continues to far exceed supply for the entire industry , '' 3M told CBS .
The company said that in addition to a 20-fold increase in demand from the medical community , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've never used them before now .
3M predicts it will have increased its monthly production of N95 respirators in the United States to 95 million by the end of 2020 , up from 22 million in 2019 .
It expects to produce 2 billion globally by the end of the year .
The company 's increase in production comes as the United States reports a surge in daily coronavirus cases .
On Thursday , there were a record 121,054 new cases and 1,210 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University .
Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States has confirmed 9.7 million cases and 235,000 deaths .
Individual states are also experiencing record-high cases , including Minnesota , which reported 5,454 new cases for Thursday , the first time it has passed the 5,000 threshold .
Thirty-six people died that day .
All told , the state has had 170,307 cases and 2,591 deaths , according to the Minnesota Department of Health .
State Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm on Friday blamed the surge in cases on informal social gatherings where asymptomatic people spread the virus .
`` Our behavior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of small decisions happening around Minnesota that are the issue here , '' she said .
In Illinois , Gov .
JB Pritzker went into self isolation for the third time after he was notified he spent time with someone infected with the virus .
The state reported 10,376 new cases and 49 deaths for Thursday .
All told , Illinois has had 465,000 cases and 10,000 deaths .
Pritzker said Friday he wo n't rule out the possibility of issuing another stay-at-home order to curb the spread .
`` Across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cities affected by this growing crisis , and they 're responding by rolling back their reopenings .
And over in Europe , France , England and Germany are rising so quickly that they 're resorting to much more significant restrictions on all non-essential activities as they , too , face case numbers and hospitalizations rising in at a tragic rate , '' he said .
`` Remember that Europe fared much better than the United States over the last five months , so when they impose those severe mitigations , it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of control there , and we are heading in a similar direction . ''
A Texas court on Friday ruled that a shutdown order issued in El Paso County can remain in place .
A group of 10 El Paso restaurant operators and the Texas attorney general challenged the order , asking a judge to declare it illegal .
Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott also announced that the U.S. Defense Department deployed three U.S. Air Force medical teams to El Paso to support three hospitals in their fight against COVID-19 .
Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , with 942,000 confirmed cases and 18,500 deaths since the start of the pandemic .
There have been nearly 60,000 cases in El Paso County and 683 deaths .
In Denver , a new order goes into effect Sunday shuttering all non-essential businesses between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. each day .
`` We 're on a dangerous path , '' Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said .
`` Most of the country is seeing the virus come back with a vengeance with the cold season . ''

Wendy Gould, R.N., inspects N95 masks that have been sanitized in a special trailer at Saint Louis University Hospital in St. Louis on April 23. Though respirator production has increased in recent months, hospitals are again experiencing shortages of the PPE. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Manufacturer 3M said it's increasing production of N95 respirator masks as the United States experiences a shortage amid a surge of COVID-19 cases. The Minnesota-based company said it installed two new production lines at its Aberdeen, S.D., factory to cope with the increase in demand. 3M said it's using Defense Department grants to add 120,000 square feet of production space, according to the Argus Leader. Advertisement
N95 respirators are among the most effective face masks, filtering out at least 95% of small particles. They're largely used by doctors, nurses and other medical professionals.
Hospitals, nursing homes and other health facilities have experienced shortages of the respirators since the very beginning of the pandemic in the United States, and while production ramped up as the months went on, there is still an insufficient supply.
"U.S. and global demand for [personal protective equipment] continues to far exceed supply for the entire industry," 3M told CBS.
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The company said that in addition to a 20-fold increase in demand from the medical community, it's receiving requests from new customers that've never used them before now.
3M predicts it will have increased its monthly production of N95 respirators in the United States to 95 million by the end of 2020, up from 22 million in 2019. It expects to produce 2 billion globally by the end of the year.
The company's increase in production comes as the United States reports a surge in daily coronavirus cases. On Thursday, there were a record 121,054 new cases and 1,210 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Since the start of the pandemic, the United States has confirmed 9.7 million cases and 235,000 deaths.
Individual states are also experiencing record-high cases, including Minnesota, which reported 5,454 new cases for Thursday, the first time it has passed the 5,000 threshold. Thirty-six people died that day.
All told, the state has had 170,307 cases and 2,591 deaths, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
State Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm on Friday blamed the surge in cases on informal social gatherings where asymptomatic people spread the virus.
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"Our behavior is driving this ... literally thousands and thousands of small decisions happening around Minnesota that are the issue here," she said.
In Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker went into self isolation for the third time after he was notified he spent time with someone infected with the virus.
The state reported 10,376 new cases and 49 deaths for Thursday. All told, Illinois has had 465,000 cases and 10,000 deaths.
Pritzker said Friday he won't rule out the possibility of issuing another stay-at-home order to curb the spread.
"Across the country, we are already seeing states and cities affected by this growing crisis, and they're responding by rolling back their reopenings. And over in Europe, France, England and Germany are rising so quickly that they're resorting to much more significant restrictions on all non-essential activities as they, too, face case numbers and hospitalizations rising in at a tragic rate," he said.
"Remember that Europe fared much better than the United States over the last five months, so when they impose those severe mitigations, it's an indication that the virus is raging out of control there, and we are heading in a similar direction."
A Texas court on Friday ruled that a shutdown order issued in El Paso County can remain in place. A group of 10 El Paso restaurant operators and the Texas attorney general challenged the order, asking a judge to declare it illegal.
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also announced that the U.S. Defense Department deployed three U.S. Air Force medical teams to El Paso to support three hospitals in their fight against COVID-19.
Texas reported 7,221 new cases and 136 deaths Friday, with 942,000 confirmed cases and 18,500 deaths since the start of the pandemic. There have been nearly 60,000 cases in El Paso County and 683 deaths.
In Denver, a new order goes into effect Sunday shuttering all non-essential businesses between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. each day.
"We're on a dangerous path," Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said. "Most of the country is seeing the virus come back with a vengeance with the cold season."


upi--2020-11-06--MLB's Rob Manfred: Dodgers' Justin Turner won't be punished for leaving isolation

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced that Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner will not be disciplined for returning to the field to celebrate his team 's World Series win after testing positive for COVID-19 .
Manfred released a lengthy statement Friday -- alongside one from Turner and another from Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten -- in which he highlighted the findings of the league 's investigation and also took partial responsibility for the incident .
`` We all have made mistakes as we navigated these unprecedented challenges and have tried to learn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeated , '' Manfred said .
`` With this in mind , I am closing this matter by applauding Justin for accepting responsibility , apologizing and making a commitment to set a positive example going forward . ''
In the late stages of Game 6 on Oct. 27 , the Dodgers were informed that Turner 's previously inconclusive test result had came back positive , which led to his removal from the game before the start of the eighth inning .
His wife , Kourtney , also was removed from her seating area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas .
In his statement , Turner wrote that he was `` blindsided '' by the news .
He was forced to watch the final two innings from a television inside a doctor 's office in the back of the Dodgers ' clubhouse .
Moments after the Dodgers clinched their championship victory over the Tampa Bay Rays , he asked if he could return to the field to take a photo with his wife .
`` I assumed by that point that few people were left on the field , '' Turner said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that team officials did not object to my returning to the field for a picture with my wife .
However , what was intended to be a photo capturing the two of us turned into several greetings and photos where I briefly and unwisely removed my mask .
`` In hindsight , I should have waited until the field was clear of others to take that photo with my wife .
I sincerely apologize to everyone on the field for failing to appreciate the risks of returning to the field .
I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and staff member , and my intentions were never to make anyone uncomfortable or put anyone at further risk . ''
Manfred said some of Turner 's teammates `` actively encouraged '' him to leave the clubhouse and return to the field to celebrate , noting that `` many teammates felt they had already been exposed '' and were fine with additional exposure .
MLB previously scolded Turner for breaking protocol , saying that Turner `` emphatically refused to comply '' when officials asked him to leave the field .
Manfred acknowledged Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation more effectively . ''
`` Mr. Turner has publicly recognized that his conduct was wrong and has expressed remorse for that conduct , '' Manfred said .
`` I have spoken to him personally and I know that he is extraordinarily upset by the incident .
`` By all accounts , Justin is a leader in the clubhouse , a contributor to his community and a responsible person who was instrumental in the Dodgers diligently following the health protocols all season long . ''
Members of the Dodgers and Rays were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the game and the following morning , with only a Rays family member testing positive .
Both clubs traveled back to their respective cities later that afternoon .

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (C, bottom with red beard) returned to the field to celebrate with teammates after the Dodgers won the World Series in Game 6 last month. He was removed from that game after a positive COVID-19 test. File Photo by John G. Mabanglo/EPA-EFE
Nov. 6 (UPI) -- MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced that Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner will not be disciplined for returning to the field to celebrate his team's World Series win after testing positive for COVID-19. Manfred released a lengthy statement Friday -- alongside one from Turner and another from Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten -- in which he highlighted the findings of the league's investigation and also took partial responsibility for the incident. Advertisement
"We all have made mistakes as we navigated these unprecedented challenges and have tried to learn from those mistakes so they are not repeated," Manfred said. "With this in mind, I am closing this matter by applauding Justin for accepting responsibility, apologizing and making a commitment to set a positive example going forward."
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In the late stages of Game 6 on Oct. 27, the Dodgers were informed that Turner's previously inconclusive test result had came back positive, which led to his removal from the game before the start of the eighth inning. His wife, Kourtney, also was removed from her seating area at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
In his statement, Turner wrote that he was "blindsided" by the news. He was forced to watch the final two innings from a television inside a doctor's office in the back of the Dodgers' clubhouse. Moments after the Dodgers clinched their championship victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, he asked if he could return to the field to take a photo with his wife.
"I assumed by that point that few people were left on the field," Turner said. "I was under the impression that team officials did not object to my returning to the field for a picture with my wife. However, what was intended to be a photo capturing the two of us turned into several greetings and photos where I briefly and unwisely removed my mask.
"In hindsight, I should have waited until the field was clear of others to take that photo with my wife. I sincerely apologize to everyone on the field for failing to appreciate the risks of returning to the field. I have spoken with almost every teammate, coach and staff member, and my intentions were never to make anyone uncomfortable or put anyone at further risk."
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Manfred said some of Turner's teammates "actively encouraged" him to leave the clubhouse and return to the field to celebrate, noting that "many teammates felt they had already been exposed" and were fine with additional exposure.
MLB previously scolded Turner for breaking protocol, saying that Turner "emphatically refused to comply" when officials asked him to leave the field. Manfred acknowledged Friday that the league "could have handled the situation more effectively."
"Mr. Turner has publicly recognized that his conduct was wrong and has expressed remorse for that conduct," Manfred said. "I have spoken to him personally and I know that he is extraordinarily upset by the incident.
"By all accounts, Justin is a leader in the clubhouse, a contributor to his community and a responsible person who was instrumental in the Dodgers diligently following the health protocols all season long."
Members of the Dodgers and Rays were tested for the coronavirus the night after the game and the following morning, with only a Rays family member testing positive. Both clubs traveled back to their respective cities later that afternoon.


upi--2020-11-06--ULA delays spy satellite launch to Wednesday from Florida

ORLANDO , Fla. , Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- United Launch Alliance plans to try again to send a Department of Defense spy satellite into orbit from Florida on Wednesday .
Liftoff on an Atlas V rocket is planned for 5:22 p.m. EST from Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station .
The launch company had planned a Sunday evening launch , but said Friday that the approach of a storm prompted a change .
`` Due to impending weather from Tropical Depression Eta , we are rolling the Atlas V rocket carrying the NROL-101 mission ... back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' ULA said in an update on its website .
A problem with the rocket 's propellant fuel system foiled a previous attempt the preceding Wednesday evening , and a problem with environmental controls for the satellite forced a delay the day before , ULA said .
The Defense Department 's National Reconnaissance Office says little about any of its satellites , but the mission description states that the NROL 101 spacecraft will `` provide intelligence data to the United States ' senior policymakers '' and to the nation 's intelligence agencies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the satellite , and will operate it , according to the mission description .
ULA plans to use updated solid rocket boosters on the launch for the first time -- three GEM 63 motors built by Northrop Grumman .
The strap-on boosters will add to the total thrust .
The first-stage rocket core provides 860,200 pounds of thrust at liftoff .
The three side boosters provide an additional 371,550 pounds , for a total of 1.23 million pounds .
By comparison , SpaceX 's Falcon 9 rocket provides more than 1.7 million pounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company .
The new boosters are part of ULA 's transition away from the Atlas V and toward a new rocket and launch system , Vulcan .
The company plans its first Vulcan launch in the first half of 2021 .
`` The GEM 63s will be used on Atlas V launches to build flight experience in preparation for using GEM 63XLs on # VulcanCentaur 's first flight , '' ULA posted on Twitter .

This United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will be rolled back under cover to protect it from a potential tropical storm. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 6 (UPI) -- United Launch Alliance plans to try again to send a Department of Defense spy satellite into orbit from Florida on Wednesday. Liftoff on an Atlas V rocket is planned for 5:22 p.m. EST from Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Advertisement
The launch company had planned a Sunday evening launch, but said Friday that the approach of a storm prompted a change.
"Due to impending weather from Tropical Depression Eta, we are rolling the Atlas V rocket carrying the NROL-101 mission ... back to secure the payload and vehicle," ULA said in an update on its website.
A problem with the rocket's propellant fuel system foiled a previous attempt the preceding Wednesday evening, and a problem with environmental controls for the satellite forced a delay the day before, ULA said.
The Defense Department's National Reconnaissance Office says little about any of its satellites, but the mission description states that the NROL 101 spacecraft will "provide intelligence data to the United States' senior policymakers" and to the nation's intelligence agencies and military.
The agency designed and built the satellite, and will operate it, according to the mission description.
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ULA plans to use updated solid rocket boosters on the launch for the first time -- three GEM 63 motors built by Northrop Grumman. The strap-on boosters will add to the total thrust.
The first-stage rocket core provides 860,200 pounds of thrust at liftoff. The three side boosters provide an additional 371,550 pounds, for a total of 1.23 million pounds.
By comparison, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket provides more than 1.7 million pounds of thrust at liftoff, according to the company.
The new boosters are part of ULA's transition away from the Atlas V and toward a new rocket and launch system, Vulcan. The company plans its first Vulcan launch in the first half of 2021.
"The GEM 63s will be used on Atlas V launches to build flight experience in preparation for using GEM 63XLs on #VulcanCentaur's first flight," ULA posted on Twitter.


upi--2020-11-06--Essential Quality wins Breeders' Cup Juvenile race

LEXINGTON , Ky. , Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- Essential Quality , a Kentucky-bred colt owned by the ruler of Dubai , rallied from behind a fast early pace to win Friday 's $ 2 million Breeders ' Cup Juvenile and automatically assume the favorite 's mantle for the 2021 Kentucky Derby .
Vequist won the $ 1 million Juvenile Fillies , jumping to the top of the list for next year 's Kentucky Oaks , while a raft of high-quality European invaders had a day of heartbreak with seconds and thirds in the turf races .
Here 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out on a beautiful , sunny day at Keeneland , with nine races yet to go Saturday .
Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum , the ruler of Dubai and founder and head of Godolphin Racing , has coveted the Kentucky Derby trophy for decades and never really come close to victory .
After watching Essential Quality , a colt bred by Godolphin , win the Juvenile , his spirits must be up .
The Tapit colt , with Luis Saez in the irons , raced comfortably behind a blistering early pace .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was wide out toward the center of the track with lots left to do .
As the early speed began to tell on the leaders , he gradually made up the difference and won by 3/4 length .
Hot Rod Charlie , dispatched at odds of 94-1 , just failed to hang on for the win with Keepmeinmind third and the favorite , Jackie 's Warrior , a tiring fourth .
Essential Quality is undefeated in three starts , and Saez said he finally seems to have worked out how he is supposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused today , '' said Saez , who scored his first Breeders ' Cup win .
`` He just ran by them like nothing . ''
Trainer Brad Cox acknowledged victory in the Juvenile brings expectations for the following year 's Run for the Roses .
`` We 're going to enjoy this one and that will be our goal moving forward , '' he said .
`` This was a tremendous effort by this colt .
He overcame a lot today .
It 's a great win for the whole Godolphin operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the winter . ''
Jackie 's Warrior 's trainer , Steve Asmussen , said the fast early pace was too much for the previously undefeated colt .
`` Pace makes the race and things did n't shape up for us today , '' Assmussen said .
Vequist squeezed through a hole along the fence at mid-stretch , took the lead and kicked clear of the field to pull off a minor upset in the Juvenile Fillies , immediately becoming an early contender for the 2021 Kentucky Oaks .
The Nyquist filly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prominent , took the inside path and won by 2 lengths over Dayoutoftheoffice .
Girl Daddy was up for third and the favorite , previously undefeated Princess Noor , reported fifth after never really hitting her best stride .
Vequist finished the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:42.30 .
She won the Grade I Spinaway at Saratoga in her second career outing and then was second behind Dayoutoftheoffice in the Grade I Frizette at Belmont Park .
`` I 've put a lot into this game and , until now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' winning owner Gary Barber said .
`` I want to tell any prospective owner there 's nothing like this in any sport .
And I 'm a huge sports fan .
Hopefully we have a champion filly this year . ''
Fire at Will , a 30-1 chance , easily turned aside a handful of top trans-Atlantic sprinters in the Juvenile Turf .
The Declaration of War colt chased the leaders while saving ground , and then came with a late run to win 3 lengths with Ireland-based Battleground edging Outadore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of 1 mile .
Two more international runners , Cadillac and Sealiway , finished fourth and fifth .
Fire at Will reported in 1:35.81 , with Ricardo Santana Jr. riding for trainer Mike Maker .
Fire at Will was making his third start and first outside New York .
He won the second time out , taking the With Anticipation Stakes on a sloppy Saratoga dirt track by 1/2 length , and then improving on that with a 2-lengths win in the Grade II Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont Park Oct. 3 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this race , '' owner Kirk Wycoff said , `` because Mike Maker wanted to run him in the dirt race . ''
Although Fire at Will has won on the dirt , Wycoff said it 's more likely that he will stay on the grass rather than pursuing a path to the 2021 Kentucky Derby .
Aunt Pearl jumped right to the lead in the Juvenile Fillies Turf and was never headed , winning off by 2 1/2 lengths .
A European raider , Mother Earth , came storming down the stretch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just got second over Miss Amulet by a neck .
The favorite , another European , Campanelle , finished fourth as Aunt Pearl finished the 1 mile in 1:35.71 for jockey Florent Geroux .
Racing on the lead is not the usual plan for winning turf races but Aunt Pearl , an Irish-bred filly by Lope de Vega , now is 3-for-3 and has never trailed at any point in any of those wins .
She came into the Breeders ' Cup from a victory over the same course in the Grade II @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amulet both hit the board in Group 1 events in their last races .
Juvenile winner Cox also trains Aunt Pearl and co-owner Michael Dubb said Cox `` was exuding Monomoy Girl-type confidence before this race [ referring to one of the favorites in Saturday ' Breeders ' Cup Distaff ] .
I could n't believe that this could happen twice .
She 's in a league of her own . ''
Cox said he had faith throughout the race that Aunt Pearl would have enough left to hold on to the win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you dig into her pedigree , she might even go beyond a mile and an eighth , '' he said .
There was n't much to the Juvenile Turf Sprint , the most recent addition to the Breeders ' Cup program .
Golden Pal , already an international star for trainer Wesley Ward , went to the post as the odds-on favorite , shot to the lead , turned back a brief challenge and ran on to win by 3/4 length .
The lead was shortening at the end as Cowan came in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With Irad Ortiz Jr. riding , Golden Pal finished 5 furlongs on firm turf in 1:02.82 .
The Uncle Mo colt began his career in April at Gulfstream Park , finishing second .
He made his next appearance at Royal Ascot , where he was overtaken in the final strides of the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes by The Lir Jet , finishing second by a neck .
He returned to win the Skidmore Stakes at Saratoga by 3 1/2 lengths .
Owner-breeder Randy Lowe said he was a bit concerned when Ortiz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead .
`` I thought , 'What is he doing ? '
But we 've been teaching him to rate and then he let out a notch and everything was OK. '' Ward said Golden Pal will get a rest , return in the spring at Keeneland and then target a return to Royal Ascot - probably for the 5-furlongs King 's Stand -- and to the 2021 Breeders ' Cup at Del Mar .
There were some really nice races on the undercard for Future Stars Friday , too : Highly Motivated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 125,000 Nyquist Stakes , came out around the embattled leaders to take the lead at the furlong pole and drew off to win by 4 1/4 lengths .
Quick Tempo set the early pace and held on for second with Roderick , his early competition , third .
The 6 1/2 furlongs went in 1:14.99 with Javier Castellano riding the winner for trainer Chad Brown .
Highly Motivated , an Into Mischief colt , made it two straight wins after just missing in his first race .
Joy 's Rocket led the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Songbird Stakes for 2-year-old fillies , was never headed and drew off to win by 3 lengths .
Farsighted , the early challenger , held second while not able to keep up with the winner and Roc 's Princess finished third .
Joy 's Rocket , a daughter of Anthony 's Cross , finished in 1:16.18 with Ricardo Santana Jr. up for trainer Steve Asmussen .
She was coming off a fading fourth-place finish in the Grade I Frizette at 1 mile at Belmont Park on Oct. 10 .
Ever Dangerous drew into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3-year-olds , got a wide trip from the No .
14 gate and still managed to get up in the final yards to win by 1/2 length at odds of 74-1 .
Fancy Liquor , the early leader , held second , just in front of a wall of horses and it took a long look at the photo to place Bye Bye Melvin third .
Ever Dangerous , a Kitten 's Joy colt , finished in the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:48.74 with Javier Castellano up .
He probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winning a rich allowance event at Belmont Park in his previous start .
Amy 's Challenge was away a step slowly in the $ 150,000 McConnell Springs for fillies and mares , quickly rushed up to take the lead and was n't bothered thereafter , winning by 2 1/2 lengths .
Unique Factor came from the clouds to finish second , a head in front of Wildwood 's Beauty .
Amy 's Challenge , a 5-year-old Artie Schiller mare , finished 6 furlongs in 1:09.17 for jockey Jose Lezcano and now has two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year .
The $ 200,000 Grade II Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes at 1 5/8 miles was this year 's stand-in for the long-abandoned Breeders ' Cup Marathon .
Rocketry lived up to his name in the stretch run , racing by outside the leaders to win by 1 length while finishing in 2:42.57 under Irad Ortiz Jr. Mirinaque was second and Dack Janiel 's finished third .
Rocketry , a 6-year-old son of Hard Spun , specializes in the longer-distance events but had n't won in a while .

1/5
Essential Quality, owned by Dubai's Sheik Mohammed, wins the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., on Friday and becomes the very early Kentucky Derby favorite. Photo by Scott Serio, Eclipse Sportswire, courtesy of Breeders' Cup
LEXINGTON, Ky., Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Essential Quality, a Kentucky-bred colt owned by the ruler of Dubai, rallied from behind a fast early pace to win Friday's $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile and automatically assume the favorite's mantle for the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Vequist won the $1 million Juvenile Fillies, jumping to the top of the list for next year's Kentucky Oaks, while a raft of high-quality European invaders had a day of heartbreak with seconds and thirds in the turf races. Advertisement
Here's how "Future Stars Friday" played out on a beautiful, sunny day at Keeneland, with nine races yet to go Saturday.
The $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile
Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and founder and head of Godolphin Racing, has coveted the Kentucky Derby trophy for decades and never really come close to victory. After watching Essential Quality, a colt bred by Godolphin, win the Juvenile, his spirits must be up.
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The Tapit colt, with Luis Saez in the irons, raced comfortably behind a blistering early pace. Turning into the Keeneland stretch, he was wide out toward the center of the track with lots left to do.
As the early speed began to tell on the leaders, he gradually made up the difference and won by 3/4 length. Hot Rod Charlie, dispatched at odds of 94-1, just failed to hang on for the win with Keepmeinmind third and the favorite, Jackie's Warrior, a tiring fourth.
Essential Quality is undefeated in three starts, and Saez said he finally seems to have worked out how he is supposed to behave.
"He was very focused today," said Saez, who scored his first Breeders' Cup win. "He just ran by them like nothing."
Trainer Brad Cox acknowledged victory in the Juvenile brings expectations for the following year's Run for the Roses.
"We're going to enjoy this one and that will be our goal moving forward," he said. "This was a tremendous effort by this colt. He overcame a lot today. It's a great win for the whole Godolphin operation. ... We'll make a plan over the winter."
Jackie's Warrior's trainer, Steve Asmussen, said the fast early pace was too much for the previously undefeated colt. "Pace makes the race and things didn't shape up for us today," Assmussen said.
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The $2 million Grade I Juvenile Fillies
Vequist squeezed through a hole along the fence at mid-stretch, took the lead and kicked clear of the field to pull off a minor upset in the Juvenile Fillies, immediately becoming an early contender for the 2021 Kentucky Oaks.
The Nyquist filly, with Joel Rosario up, was always prominent, took the inside path and won by 2 lengths over Dayoutoftheoffice. Girl Daddy was up for third and the favorite, previously undefeated Princess Noor, reported fifth after never really hitting her best stride.
Vequist finished the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:42.30. She won the Grade I Spinaway at Saratoga in her second career outing and then was second behind Dayoutoftheoffice in the Grade I Frizette at Belmont Park.
"I've put a lot into this game and, until now, it wasn't going too well," winning owner Gary Barber said. "I want to tell any prospective owner there's nothing like this in any sport. And I'm a huge sports fan. Hopefully we have a champion filly this year."
The $1 million Grade I Juvenile Turf
Fire at Will, a 30-1 chance, easily turned aside a handful of top trans-Atlantic sprinters in the Juvenile Turf. The Declaration of War colt chased the leaders while saving ground, and then came with a late run to win 3 lengths with Ireland-based Battleground edging Outadore by a neck for second at the end of 1 mile.
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Two more international runners, Cadillac and Sealiway, finished fourth and fifth. Fire at Will reported in 1:35.81, with Ricardo Santana Jr. riding for trainer Mike Maker.
Fire at Will was making his third start and first outside New York. He won the second time out, taking the With Anticipation Stakes on a sloppy Saratoga dirt track by 1/2 length, and then improving on that with a 2-lengths win in the Grade II Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont Park Oct. 3.
"It was great to be in this race," owner Kirk Wycoff said, "because Mike Maker wanted to run him in the dirt race." Although Fire at Will has won on the dirt, Wycoff said it's more likely that he will stay on the grass rather than pursuing a path to the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
The $1 million Grade I Juvenile Fillies Turf
Aunt Pearl jumped right to the lead in the Juvenile Fillies Turf and was never headed, winning off by 2 1/2 lengths.
A European raider, Mother Earth, came storming down the stretch, passed most of the field and just got second over Miss Amulet by a neck. The favorite, another European, Campanelle, finished fourth as Aunt Pearl finished the 1 mile in 1:35.71 for jockey Florent Geroux.
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Racing on the lead is not the usual plan for winning turf races but Aunt Pearl, an Irish-bred filly by Lope de Vega, now is 3-for-3 and has never trailed at any point in any of those wins.
She came into the Breeders' Cup from a victory over the same course in the Grade II Jessamine Stakes. Mother Earth and Miss Amulet both hit the board in Group 1 events in their last races.
Juvenile winner Cox also trains Aunt Pearl and co-owner Michael Dubb said Cox "was exuding Monomoy Girl-type confidence before this race [referring to one of the favorites in Saturday' Breeders' Cup Distaff]. I couldn't believe that this could happen twice. She's in a league of her own."
Cox said he had faith throughout the race that Aunt Pearl would have enough left to hold on to the win in the late going. "When you dig into her pedigree, she might even go beyond a mile and an eighth," he said.
The $1 million Grade II Juvenile Turf Sprint
There wasn't much to the Juvenile Turf Sprint, the most recent addition to the Breeders' Cup program. Golden Pal, already an international star for trainer Wesley Ward, went to the post as the odds-on favorite, shot to the lead, turned back a brief challenge and ran on to win by 3/4 length.
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The lead was shortening at the end as Cowan came in second and English invader Ubettabelieveit was third. With Irad Ortiz Jr. riding, Golden Pal finished 5 furlongs on firm turf in 1:02.82.
The Uncle Mo colt began his career in April at Gulfstream Park, finishing second. He made his next appearance at Royal Ascot, where he was overtaken in the final strides of the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes by The Lir Jet, finishing second by a neck. He returned to win the Skidmore Stakes at Saratoga by 3 1/2 lengths.
Owner-breeder Randy Lowe said he was a bit concerned when Ortiz pulled the colt back from the early lead. "I thought, 'What is he doing?' But we've been teaching him to rate and then he let out a notch and everything was OK."
Ward said Golden Pal will get a rest, return in the spring at Keeneland and then target a return to Royal Ascot - probably for the 5-furlongs King's Stand -- and to the 2021 Breeders' Cup at Del Mar.
There were some really nice races on the undercard for Future Stars Friday, too:
Highly Motivated saved ground into the stretch in the $125,000 Nyquist Stakes, came out around the embattled leaders to take the lead at the furlong pole and drew off to win by 4 1/4 lengths.
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Quick Tempo set the early pace and held on for second with Roderick, his early competition, third. The 6 1/2 furlongs went in 1:14.99 with Javier Castellano riding the winner for trainer Chad Brown. Highly Motivated, an Into Mischief colt, made it two straight wins after just missing in his first race.
Joy's Rocket led the way under pressure in the $125,000 Songbird Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, was never headed and drew off to win by 3 lengths.
Farsighted, the early challenger, held second while not able to keep up with the winner and Roc's Princess finished third. Joy's Rocket, a daughter of Anthony's Cross, finished in 1:16.18 with Ricardo Santana Jr. up for trainer Steve Asmussen. She was coming off a fading fourth-place finish in the Grade I Frizette at 1 mile at Belmont Park on Oct. 10.
Ever Dangerous drew into the $150,000 Bryan Station Stakes for 3-year-olds, got a wide trip from the No. 14 gate and still managed to get up in the final yards to win by 1/2 length at odds of 74-1.
Fancy Liquor, the early leader, held second, just in front of a wall of horses and it took a long look at the photo to place Bye Bye Melvin third.
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Ever Dangerous, a Kitten's Joy colt, finished in the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:48.74 with Javier Castellano up. He probably didn't deserve the 74-1 odds after winning a rich allowance event at Belmont Park in his previous start.
Amy's Challenge was away a step slowly in the $150,000 McConnell Springs for fillies and mares, quickly rushed up to take the lead and wasn't bothered thereafter, winning by 2 1/2 lengths.
Unique Factor came from the clouds to finish second, a head in front of Wildwood's Beauty. Amy's Challenge, a 5-year-old Artie Schiller mare, finished 6 furlongs in 1:09.17 for jockey Jose Lezcano and now has two wins and two seconds from six starts this year.
The $200,000 Grade II Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes at 1 5/8 miles was this year's stand-in for the long-abandoned Breeders' Cup Marathon.
Rocketry lived up to his name in the stretch run, racing by outside the leaders to win by 1 length while finishing in 2:42.57 under Irad Ortiz Jr. Mirinaque was second and Dack Janiel's finished third. Rocketry, a 6-year-old son of Hard Spun, specializes in the longer-distance events but hadn't won in a while.


U.S. Election 2020

The world watches as the results are tallied from the U.S. presidential election after days of voting .
The November @ @ @ @ @ GOP President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger , former Vice President Joe Biden , @ @ @ @ @ 5 as the vote count continues in several states .

Trump supporters demonstrate as votes continue to be counted in a few states where the presidential race remained too close to call. Joe Biden had garnered enough Electoral College votes by Saturday to be the projected winner. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI


upi--2020-11-06--Austria closes mosque, Islamic center linked to Vienna attacker

Nov. 6 ( UPI ) -- Austrian authorities on Friday said they shut down a mosque and an Islamic organization linked to a terror attack in Vienna that left four victims dead earlier this week .
A local intelligence official also resigned in response to the shooting .
Integration Minister Susanne Raab and Interior Minister Karl Nehammer announced they shuttered the Tewhid Mosque and the Melit Ibrahim Association .
They did so after a meeting with Umit Vural , the president of the Islamic Faith Community in Austria .
Raab said the attacker , Fujtim Fejzulai , frequented the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` positive attitude toward society and the state , '' according to the country 's so-called Islam Law .
She said the decision to close the locations was not an attack on Islam .
`` The goal of terrorism is to drive a wedge into our society -- between Muslims and non-Muslims , '' she said .
Fejzulai , a 20-year-old with dual Austrian and North Macedonian citizenship , was shot and killed by police after he opened fire at multiple locations Monday night .
Police said he killed four people injured about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ APA , meanwhile , reported that Erich Zwettler , Vienna 's head of intelligence , resigned in response to the shooting .
Fejzulai previously served 22 months in jail for attempting to join the Islamic State .
The Washington Post reported authorities did n't change their risk assessment of Fejzulai after his release after determining he had been deradicalized in jail .
In Germany , police raided the homes and other locations linked to four people linked to Fejzulai on Friday .

An outside view of a mosque after a raid by Austrian police in Vienna on Friday. Photo by Felix Huber/EPA-EFE
Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Austrian authorities on Friday said they shut down a mosque and an Islamic organization linked to a terror attack in Vienna that left four victims dead earlier this week. A local intelligence official also resigned in response to the shooting. Advertisement
Integration Minister Susanne Raab and Interior Minister Karl Nehammer announced they shuttered the Tewhid Mosque and the Melit Ibrahim Association. They did so after a meeting with Umit Vural, the president of the Islamic Faith Community in Austria.
Raab said the attacker, Fujtim Fejzulai, frequented the two locations, neither of which held a "positive attitude toward society and the state," according to the country's so-called Islam Law. She said the decision to close the locations was not an attack on Islam.
"The goal of terrorism is to drive a wedge into our society -- between Muslims and non-Muslims," she said.
Fejzulai, a 20-year-old with dual Austrian and North Macedonian citizenship, was shot and killed by police after he opened fire at multiple locations Monday night. Police said he killed four people injured about two dozen others.
Austrian news agency APA, meanwhile, reported that Erich Zwettler, Vienna's head of intelligence, resigned in response to the shooting.
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Fejzulai previously served 22 months in jail for attempting to join the Islamic State. The Washington Post reported authorities didn't change their risk assessment of Fejzulai after his release after determining he had been deradicalized in jail.
In Germany, police raided the homes and other locations linked to four people linked to Fejzulai on Friday.