upi--2020-11-30--Almond Eye wins Japan Cup in weekend horse racing

Nov. 30 ( UPI ) -- High-class horse racing action happened across North America during the Thanksgiving weekend , including some early stirrings on the Kentucky Derby trail , but the spotlight was firmly fixed across the Pacific Ocean on Almond Eye , who raced into retirement -- and the record books -- with a victory in Sunday 's Japan Cup .
Back in the United States , trainer Chad Brown sent a small herd across the continent to try Del Mar 's weekend turf stakes .
How did that work out ?
Read on .
On the Classic front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win in the Grade I Clark at Churchill Downs .
Settle in and read all about it : Sunday 's Grade 1 Japan Cup had it all with three Triple Crown winners in the field and fans ' darling Almond Eye making her final start .
The race lived up to its billing in every possible way .
Almond Eye won with authority , displaying her deadly turn of foot through the final 200 meters .
And this year 's Triple Crown and filly Triple Crown champions , Contrail and Daring Tact , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a daughter of champion sprinter Lord Kanaloa , chased down breakaway leader Kiseki to secure the win impressively .
The 3-year-old rivals , each undefeated before the race , came running late behind the winner and delivered on the promise of their youth without seriously threatening Almond Eye for the win .
For Almond Eye , it was a ninth victory at the top level -- a record eight in Japan and a ninth in the 2019 Dubai Turf .
Those wins include all three legs of the 2018 filly Triple Crown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She also retires with the Japanese earnings record , just north of 1.9 billion Japanese yen -- more than US $ 18 million .
It was a bittersweet moment for both jockey Christophe Lemaire and trainer Sakae Kunieda but both had their eyes on the future .
`` Almond Eye is a perfect mare and does n't have any weak points , '' Lemaire said .
`` Her career as a race horse ended today but I look forward to riding her children . ''
`` We did feel pressure , '' Kunieda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her to come back safe and sound .
The victory is such a bonus , we could n't be happier .
`` She has given us so much excitement and joy and it has been fulfilling to be a part of her career .
It would be great if I could be involved in training her colt or filly someday . ''
While plans for the 3-year-olds were not announced , the future of Japanese racing -- and perhaps more -- now belongs to Contrail and Daring Tact .
Contrail , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Song mare Rhodochrosite , saw his undefeated string end at seven .
He has four Grade 1 wins with the 2019 Hopeful Stakes at Nakayama added to the Triple Crown victories .
Daring Tact , by 2014 Japan Cup winner Epiphaneia , lost for the first time in her sixth start but proved she is perfectly capable of competing against older males -- a big step up .
The only logical race left for them this year would be the Grade 1 Arima Kinen ( The Grand Prix ) at Nakayama on Dec. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keepmeinmind rallied from last of nine to win Saturday 's $ 200,000 Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs , an early indicator for the Kentucky Derby .
The Laoban colt , third in the Breeders ' Cup Juvenile in his last start , worked his way to the outside to launch his bid at the quarter pole , slowly reeled in rivals and hit the front inside the final furlong .
He then edged clear to win by 3/4 length over Smiley Sobotka with Arabian Prince closing to take third .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keepmeinmind ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.42 .
Keepmeinmind was second in each of his first two starts , latterly the Grade I Claiborne Breeders ' Futurity at Keeneland .
The Kentucky Jockey Club is part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series and the win earned 10 points for Keepmeinmind , putting him in second place behind only Essential Quality , winner of both the Breeders ' Futurity and the Juvenile .
Keepmeinmind `` showed his talent today , '' said trainer Robertino Diodoro .
`` He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even though he was a maiden , we knew he 'd fit with this field .
I think he 'll be a horse that 'll run all day . ''
The Kentucky Derby action spread all the way across the Pacific this weekend as Lemon Pop , a Kentucky-bred colt by Lemon Drop Kid , won Saturday 's first leg of the `` Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby , '' The Cattleya Sho .
With Keita Tosaki up , Lemon Pop tracked down early leader Takeru Pegasus with a long stretch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 1 1/2 lengths .
Lemon Pop , out of the Giant 's Causeway mare Unreachable , was the only non-Japanese-bred 2-year-old in the Cattleya .
Bred by Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Tait , he races in the Godolphin blue and remains undefeated after two starts .
The race was the first in a series of four Churchill Downs-sanctioned events with the eventual top points-getter earning a guaranteed spot in the starting gate for the 2021 Kentucky Derby .
Lemon Pop earned 10 points toward a start in Louisville .
Takeru Pegasus got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earned 2 and 1 points for third and fourth .
On the wagering front , Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed Sunday with `` All other 3-year-old males '' as the 6-5 favorite .
The Bob Baffert-trained Life Is Good , an impressive maiden winner at Del Mar Nov. 22 , closed as second-favorite at 5-1 with the aforementioned Essential Quality third at 8-1 .
The Road to the Kentucky Oaks Travel Column and jockey Florent Geroux could write a column about their winning trip in Saturday 's $ 200,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Downs , an early pointer to next spring 's Kentucky Oaks .
After being squeezed far back at the start , the Frosted filly at first gained some ground three-wide , then dropped back inside early in the stretch run .
Finding nothing there , she came out again , finally saw some daylight and won by 1 length over Claireiere .
Coach was third with an even effort and the odds-on favorite , Simply Ravishing , finished fourth .
Travel Column ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.98 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 Darley Alcibiades at Keeneland in her last start , then skipped the Breeders ' Cup .
Trainer Brad Cox said the winner `` overcame a lot of adversity today .
This was the game plan all along to run in this race and give her the time she needs after the Alcibiades .
She was very impressive breaking that slow and being stopped several times .
Mentally , that showed her maturity but I still think she is learning . ''
Bodexpress emerged from a scrum of horses at the top of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grade I Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs , took a slim lead and held off the favorite , Code of Honor , to win by 1 length .
Owendale was third with Coastal Defense fourth .
Bodexpress , a 4-year-old Bodemeister colt , ran 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:49.12 with Rafael Bejarano up for trainer Gustavo Delgado .
Bodexpress scored his first stakes win in his 17th career start .
He finished second in the 2019 Florida Derby but , before the Clark , was best-known for throwing rider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Preakness Stakes , then running two circuits of the Pimlico track riderless , to the fascination of national television commentators .
`` This is a different horse than we saw last year during the Triple Crown campaign , '' said Gustavo Delgado Jr. , assistant to this father .
`` He 's really matured .
Turning for home I thought we had a really good shot .
The horse deserves this most of all .
I 'm very happy for everyone involved but we are so happy for Bodexpress . ''
Bodexpress is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start likely will be in the $ 3 million Grade I Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 23 .
Mrs. Danvers battled for the early lead in Friday 's $ 100,000 Grade III Comely Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct , then shook loose and got away to win by 6 1/4 lengths .
Ice Princess was second , another 4 lengths to the good of Thankful in third .
Mrs. Danvers , a Tapit filly , ran 1 1/8 miles on a good track in 1:50.09 with Jose Lezcano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous graded stakes effort , she finished fifth in the Grade I Test at Saratoga in August .
`` We were anxious to get her stretched out , '' said Mrs. Danvers ' trainer , Shug McGaughey .
`` It 's just been kind of difficult to do so .
`` This is what we felt like she wanted to do .
Watching some of her allowance races , I was n't sure I was running her right .
It looked like she was going to win and then she would n't win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its hurricane damage and returned to action , Gibberish shot quickly to the fore in Friday 's $ 100,000 Treasure Chest Stakes for fillies and mares , gradually edged clear and got home first by 1 length .
The favorite , Regal Beauty , came from last of seven to finish second , 1 1/2 length better than Shes Our Fastest .
Gibberish , a 3-year-old Lea filly , ran 1 mile on a sloppy track in 1:41.53 .
Ry Eikleberry rode for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. Arklow , with the smoothest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stretch run of Friday 's $ 200,000 Grade II Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar and held on to win by 1/2 length .
With Joel Rosario riding , the 6-year-old son of Arch saved ground behind early leader Acclimate .
He moved up rounding the third turn in the 1 1/2-miles event , got by Acclimate and held off Laccario by 1/2 length .
Say the Word also was gaining late , but settled for third , another 1/2 length back .
Arklow finished in 2:26.31 .
Arklow , based at Churchill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sixth in the Longines Breeders ' Cup Turf in his last start .
Before that , he won the Grade III Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs .
Campaigned primarily in the Midwest , this was his first start in California , save only an eighth-place effort in the 2019 Breeders ' Cup at Santa Anita .
`` It kind of worked out the way we had drawn it up , '' said Blake Cox , the trainer 's son and assistant .
`` Joel was able to get a real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` What 's next will be up to [ owner ] Jerry Crawford and Donegal Racing , but I would n't be surprised if the Pegasus World Cup Turf is on the radar . ''
Saturday at Del Mar , Domestic Spending closed to the early leaders in the final furlong of the $ 300,000 Grade I Hollywood Derby and got there in time to win by a head .
Smooth Like Strait grabbed a late lead and just yielded to the winner in the final strides .
Gufo came from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neck farther back .
Domestic Spending , a British-bred Kingman gelding , ran 1 1/8 miles on firm turf in 1:47.15 with Irad Ortiz up .
Domestic Spending was one of several horses sent west by trainer Chad Brown for the weekend 's stakes at Del Mar .
Four won , three of them ridden by Ortiz .
Domestic Spending picked up his fourth win from five starts , emerging as a potential force in the division next season .
`` I thought I was going to be closer with him but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we were in the back , '' Ortiz said .
`` I worked my way up on the backside and he was running perfect .
When I asked him for his run at the three eighths , he was ready .
He really put in a nice kick .
He 's been a little green in his earlier races but he 's getting better all the time . ''
Friday at Aqueduct , City Man sat off the early pace in the $ 100,000 Gio Ponti Stakes for 3-year-olds , came four-wide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the better of Bodecream in the final strides , winning by a nose .
Price Talk was third .
City Man , a Mucho Macho Man colt , ran 1 1/16 miles on good turf in 1:44.88 with Junior Alvarado in the irons .
He won his first two starts as a 2-year-old at Saratoga , but then had not visited the winner 's circle since .
He entered the Gio Ponti off a pair of second-place finishes , also at the Spa .
`` I tried to run against New York-breds but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winning trainer Christophe Clement said .
`` Two weeks ago , I decided to run him in the stakes and it worked . ''
In Saturday 's $ 100,000 Grade III Discovery Handicap for 3-year-olds at Aqueduct , Forza Di Oro chased down pacesetting favorite Monday Morning Qb at mid-stretch and ran on to win by 3 3/4 lengths over that rival .
Shared Sense finished third , another 1 1/2 lengths back .
Forza Di Oro , a Speightstown colt , ran 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:50.03 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill Mott .
He improved to 3-for-5 .
Saturday at Del Mar , Count Again rallied from last of 12 to win the $ 200,000 Grade II Seabiscuit Handicap by 3/4 length over fellow closer Flavius .
Next Shares also found some late speed to take third while the favorite , Anothertwistafate , held the lead briefly before finishing fourth .
Count Again , a 5-year-old , Ontario-bred gelding by Awesome Again , ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:40.84 with Juan Hernandez in the irons .
Raced at Woodbine this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grade III Singspiel Stakes in September .
`` Juan followed our plan , '' winning trainer Phil D'Amato said .
`` I just told him to save all the ground and come with one run .
If the race sets up for us , great .
If not , we 'll stretch him out next time .
He followed those instructions to a 'T ' and he came with a monstrous run . ''
Viadera and Blowout put the cherry on top of a very nice weekend sundae for trainer Chad Brown Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300,000 Grade I Matriarch at Del Mar .
That result capped a weekend that found Brown 's horses , shipped in from New York , lift four turf stakes at the seaside California oval .
In the Matriarch , Blowout put the pace pressure on early leader Juliet Foxtrot , led in the lane was just nipped in the final strides by her stablemate .
Juliet Foxtrot held third and another of Brown 's minions , Tamahere , finished sixth as the favorite .
Viadera , a 4-year-old , British-bred filly by Bated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turf in 1:33.03 for jockey Joel Rosario .
She now has three wins in a row .
Jose Hernandez , who managed the California invasion for Brown , sounded happy with the results .
`` This weekend has been amazing , '' Hernandez said .
`` In the future , I do n't know when it would be , if Chad wanted to come out here with a string , I 'd like that .
We like it out here . ''
Mutamakina found running room inside stablemate Traipsing in the stretch run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Long Island Stakes at Aqueduct , squirted through that opening and went on to win by 3/4 length .
Traipsing held second , 1 3/4 length better than Delta 's Kingdom .
Mutamakina , a 4-year-old , British-bred filly by Nathanial , finished 1 3/8 miles on good turf in 2:21.08 with Dylan Davis up .
Christophe Clement trains the first two finishers .
The Long Island was the second U.S. start for Mutamakina , who finished third in her Stateside debut at Belmont Park in October .
Traipsing was making her first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has 2021 hopes for both .
`` Obviously , the way she [ Mutamakina ] ran today , she will be an exciting prospect for the 1 1/2-mile division .
I thought she was extremely unlucky last time at Belmont Park .
I was delighted to see her win .
She deserved a graded stakes win , '' Clement said .
`` I was excited about Traipsing as well .
She 's now graded stakes placed and should have a nice career going longer .
She might have just got beat by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much of the field through the early furlongs in Friday 's $ 100,000 Forever Together Stakes at Aqueduct , came five-wide into the stretch and then survived a wild charge to the finish , winning by 3/4 length in the final strides .
Less than 1 length separated the following five finishers -- Tapit Today , Myhartblongstodady , Platinum Paynter and Miss Tehran .
Feel Glorious , a 4-year-old , British-bred filly by Bated Breath , finished 1 1/16 miles on good going in 1:45.77 under Junior Alvarado .
`` She 's turning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to [ owner Dean ] Reeves , '' trainer Christophe Clement said of Feel Glorious ' future .
`` If he wants to carry on next year , I do n't know if she needs the whole winter off .
`` We could actually run her this year in the Florida stakes .
He has to make a decision to breed her next year or race her , and according to that , we 'll map out a plan . ''
Turned Aside broke alertly in Saturday 's $ 100,000 Aqueduct Turf Sprint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pace duel for jockey Jose Lezcano .
When asked , he regained the lead and drew off to win by 1 1/4 lengths over El Tormenta .
True Valour was third .
Turned Aside , a 3-year-old American Pharoah colt , finished 6 furlongs on turf rated good in 1:10.89 .
Winner of the Grade III Quick Call Stakes at Saratoga in July , the Linda Rice trainee now has four wins from nine starts .
Lead Guitar moved to the lead as the field hit the stretch drive in Sunday 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mares and edged away to win by 3 1/4 lengths .
A Great Time was second , a head in front of Risky Mischief .
Lead Guitar , a 4-year-old filly by Maclean 's Music , ran 6 furlongs on good turf in 1:10.87 .
Jose Lezcano had the mount for trainer George Weaver .
Never Surprised was no surprise in Saturday 's $ 100,000 Central Park Stakes at Aqueduct .
Sent off as the favorite in a field of nine , the Constitution colt was out front immediately after the break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3-lengths lead in the stretch and won by 1 3/4 lengths over Hard Love .
The others were well back .
Never Surprised , with Kendrick Carmouche in the irons , ran 1 1/16 miles on good turf in 1:43.74 .
He was an equally easy winner in his career debut going 6 furlongs Nov. 8 .
Trainer Todd Pletcher said he told owner Mike Repole he `` pretty much threw the book '' at Never Surprised in the race , coming back on short rest and moving out from a sprint .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , '' he added .
He also noted Never Surprised has trained well on dirt so that possibility is somewhere in his mind for the winter in Florida .
`` Constitutions have been running on pretty much everything , '' he said .
Sunday at Del Mar , Beer Can Man rallied from a pace-stalking trip to score a 20-1 upset victory in the $ 100,000 Grade III Cecil B. DeMille .
Caisson rolled along from the back of the field to finish second , 1/2 length back of the winner and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held third .
Beer Can Man , a Can the Man colt out of the Dynaformer mare Cheesecake , ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:34.75 with Juan Hernandez up for trainer Mark Glatt , who said the colt exceeded expectations .
`` We entered him the first weekend of the meeting , thinking we could run then and then come back in this race , '' Glatt said .
`` But that race did n't go .
So , [ the owners ] told me to get him ready to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skeptical , to be honest , but the horse relaxed great , Juan put a nice ride on him and he got the money . ''
Fluffy Socks , shipped cross-country by trainer Chad Brown for Saturday 's $ 100,000 Grade III Jimmy Durante at Del Mar , got the job done in deep stretch , winning by 1/2 length over Javanica .
Quattroelle was third , just a neck farther back .
Fluffy Socks , a daughter of Slumber out of the Kitten 's Joy mare Breakfast Time , bounced around near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some bumps with rivals before making up all the ground in the lane .
She finished 1 mile on firm turf in 1:35.35 with Irad Ortiz Jr. riding .
Fluffy Socks won the Selima Stakes at Pimlico Oct. 3 and finished second in the Chelsey Flower at Belmont Park Nov. 1 .
`` She felt like a winner all the way around , '' Ortiz said .
`` We had some traffic on the turn , but I got through and got her to where I wanted to be .
She 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Sunday at Aqueduct , Lovestruck rated behind a long shot leader in the $ 100,000 Tepin Stakes , came three-wide to take the lead and got there first by 1 length over Invincible Gal .
Big Time Lady , the early speed , finished third .
Lovestruck , a Tapit filly from the Mr. Prospector mare Love Style , finished 1 1/16 miles on good turf in 1:47.12 , but awaited a no-call from a stewards ' inquiry before the race was made official .
Bill Mott trains the Godolphin homebred , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ride took over the lead from pacesetting Tribecca in the final sixteenth of Sunday 's $ 100,000 Grade III Fall Highweight Handicap at Aqueduct and held off Stan the Man to win by 3/4 length .
Absentee was third , a head farther back and a nose in front of Tribecca .
Share the Ride , a 5-year-old Candy Ride gelding , ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.62 while carrying 133 pounds including Jose Ortiz .
The Maryland Jockey Club kept the holiday cornucopia churning out goodies Saturday with six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Dontletsweetfoolya took an early lead in the Primonetta Stakes for fillies and mares at 6 furlongs , extended the advantage and won by 5 1/4 lengths over Never Enough Time .
Dontletsweetfoolya , a 3-year-old Stay Thirsty filly , finished in 1:09.79 with Javier Toledo in the irons .
Air Token was along late to post a 17-1 upset in the Concern Stakes for 3-year-olds , catching odds-on favorite Francatelli in the final strides .
Golden Candy was third .
Air Token , a Golden Lad gelding , got 7 furlongs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beautiful , the odds-on favorite , stalked the pace in the Safely Kept Stakes for 3-year-old fillies , got the upper hand in the stretch run and won by 3 lengths .
Reagan 's Edge was 5 1/2 lengths clear in second .
Hello Beautiful , also by Golden Lad , ran 7 furlongs in 1:22.26 for jockey Sheldon Russell .
Whereshetoldmetogo took a narrow lead in the stretch in the Frank W. Whiteley Stakes and just held on to win by a nose over the late-running favorite , Laki .
Whereshetoldmetogo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clicked off 6 furlongs in 1:08.59 with Russell at the controls .
Eres Tu pressed the pace in the Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes for fillies and mares , rolled to a big lead in the lane and got home first with the favorite , Lucky Stride , 1 1/2 lengths back in second .
Eres Tu , a 4-year-old Malibu Moon filly , ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.62 with Trevor McCarthy up .
Harpers First Ride , the even-money favorite , sat off an early speed duel , surged to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and won by 3 lengths with Cordmaker second .
Harper 's First Ride , a 4-year-old Paynter gelding , was clocked in 1:41.92 .
Angel Cruz rode .
Hunka Burning Love pressed the pace through the first 6 furlongs of Saturday 's $ 100,000 Delta Mile , then slowly took the lead and went on to win by 4 lengths .
Extirpator was second , a neck in front of Pioneer Spirit .
Hunka Burning Love , a 6-year-old gelding by Into Mischief , reported in 1:40.80 over a sloppy , sealed track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trainer Karl Broberg .
Mobil Solution raced well back of the leaders early in Saturday 's $ 75,000 Ruff/Kirchberg Memorial for Ohio-breds , took the inside path to get to the lead and won off by 2 lengths .
Garrett was second , 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Pat 's Karma .
Mobil Solution , a 5-year-old Mobil gelding , stopped the timer at 1:44.08 for 1 1/16 miles on a fast track .
Erik Barbaran had the mount .
Sammy 's Sister won the battle for the lead in Saturday 's $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fillies , then edged clear from early rival Happy As You Go , the odds-on favorite , winning by 1 3/4 lengths .
Rock Star Lady was third .
Sammy 's Sister , a Mobil filly from the Louis Quatorze mare Lover , ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:14.01 with Luis Rivera riding .
Shutupn'kissme got off to a quick lead in Saturday 's $ 50,000 Eleanor Casey Memorial Stakes for West Virginia-bred 2-year-old fillies and held well through the stretch to win by 1 3/4 lengths from Theladyistrue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ completed the order of finish .
Shutupn'kissme , a daughter of Fiber Sonde , got 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:28.57 with Wesley Ho in the irons .

1/2
Almond Eye rides into retirement with a victory in Sunday's Grade 1 Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse. Photo courtesy of Japan Racing Association
Nov. 30 (UPI) -- High-class horse racing action happened across North America during the Thanksgiving weekend, including some early stirrings on the Kentucky Derby trail, but the spotlight was firmly fixed across the Pacific Ocean on Almond Eye, who raced into retirement -- and the record books -- with a victory in Sunday's Japan Cup. Back in the United States, trainer Chad Brown sent a small herd across the continent to try Del Mar's weekend turf stakes. How did that work out? Read on. Advertisement
On the Classic front, Bodexpress turned in a minor upset win in the Grade I Clark at Churchill Downs.
Settle in and read all about it:
The Japan Cup
Sunday's Grade 1 Japan Cup had it all with three Triple Crown winners in the field and fans' darling Almond Eye making her final start.
Advertisement
The race lived up to its billing in every possible way. Almond Eye won with authority, displaying her deadly turn of foot through the final 200 meters. And this year's Triple Crown and filly Triple Crown champions, Contrail and Daring Tact, finished second and third.
Almond Eye, a daughter of champion sprinter Lord Kanaloa, chased down breakaway leader Kiseki to secure the win impressively.
The 3-year-old rivals, each undefeated before the race, came running late behind the winner and delivered on the promise of their youth without seriously threatening Almond Eye for the win.
For Almond Eye, it was a ninth victory at the top level -- a record eight in Japan and a ninth in the 2019 Dubai Turf. Those wins include all three legs of the 2018 filly Triple Crown plus that year's Japan Cup. She also retires with the Japanese earnings record, just north of 1.9 billion Japanese yen -- more than US$18 million.
It was a bittersweet moment for both jockey Christophe Lemaire and trainer Sakae Kunieda but both had their eyes on the future.
"Almond Eye is a perfect mare and doesn't have any weak points," Lemaire said. "Her career as a race horse ended today but I look forward to riding her children."
Advertisement
"We did feel pressure," Kunieda added. "All we wanted was for her to come back safe and sound. The victory is such a bonus, we couldn't be happier.
"She has given us so much excitement and joy and it has been fulfilling to be a part of her career. It would be great if I could be involved in training her colt or filly someday."
While plans for the 3-year-olds were not announced, the future of Japanese racing -- and perhaps more -- now belongs to Contrail and Daring Tact.
Contrail, a Deep Impact colt from the Unbridled's Song mare Rhodochrosite, saw his undefeated string end at seven. He has four Grade 1 wins with the 2019 Hopeful Stakes at Nakayama added to the Triple Crown victories.
Daring Tact, by 2014 Japan Cup winner Epiphaneia, lost for the first time in her sixth start but proved she is perfectly capable of competing against older males -- a big step up.
The only logical race left for them this year would be the Grade 1 Arima Kinen (The Grand Prix) at Nakayama on Dec. 27.
The Road to the Roses
Keepmeinmind rallied from last of nine to win Saturday's $200,000 Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs, an early indicator for the Kentucky Derby.
Advertisement
The Laoban colt, third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in his last start, worked his way to the outside to launch his bid at the quarter pole, slowly reeled in rivals and hit the front inside the final furlong.
He then edged clear to win by 3/4 length over Smiley Sobotka with Arabian Prince closing to take third. With David Cohen in the irons, Keepmeinmind ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.42.
Keepmeinmind was second in each of his first two starts, latterly the Grade I Claiborne Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland.
The Kentucky Jockey Club is part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series and the win earned 10 points for Keepmeinmind, putting him in second place behind only Essential Quality, winner of both the Breeders' Futurity and the Juvenile.
Keepmeinmind "showed his talent today," said trainer Robertino Diodoro. "He's had some tough trips previously and, even though he was a maiden, we knew he'd fit with this field. I think he'll be a horse that'll run all day."
The Kentucky Derby action spread all the way across the Pacific this weekend as Lemon Pop, a Kentucky-bred colt by Lemon Drop Kid, won Saturday's first leg of the "Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby," The Cattleya Sho.
Advertisement
With Keita Tosaki up, Lemon Pop tracked down early leader Takeru Pegasus with a long stretch drive and got clear late to win by 1 1/2 lengths.
Lemon Pop, out of the Giant's Causeway mare Unreachable, was the only non-Japanese-bred 2-year-old in the Cattleya. Bred by Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Tait, he races in the Godolphin blue and remains undefeated after two starts.
The race was the first in a series of four Churchill Downs-sanctioned events with the eventual top points-getter earning a guaranteed spot in the starting gate for the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
Lemon Pop earned 10 points toward a start in Louisville. Takeru Pegasus got 4. Plus Ultra and Shin Yomoginesu earned 2 and 1 points for third and fourth.
On the wagering front, Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed Sunday with "All other 3-year-old males" as the 6-5 favorite. The Bob Baffert-trained Life Is Good, an impressive maiden winner at Del Mar Nov. 22, closed as second-favorite at 5-1 with the aforementioned Essential Quality third at 8-1.
The Road to the Kentucky Oaks
Travel Column and jockey Florent Geroux could write a column about their winning trip in Saturday's $200,000 Grade II Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs, an early pointer to next spring's Kentucky Oaks.
Advertisement
After being squeezed far back at the start, the Frosted filly at first gained some ground three-wide, then dropped back inside early in the stretch run. Finding nothing there, she came out again, finally saw some daylight and won by 1 length over Claireiere.
Coach was third with an even effort and the odds-on favorite, Simply Ravishing, finished fourth. Travel Column ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.98.
Travel Column was third in the Grade 1 Darley Alcibiades at Keeneland in her last start, then skipped the Breeders' Cup.
Trainer Brad Cox said the winner "overcame a lot of adversity today. This was the game plan all along to run in this race and give her the time she needs after the Alcibiades. She was very impressive breaking that slow and being stopped several times. Mentally, that showed her maturity but I still think she is learning."
Classic
Bodexpress emerged from a scrum of horses at the top of the stretch in Friday's $500,000 Grade I Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs, took a slim lead and held off the favorite, Code of Honor, to win by 1 length. Owendale was third with Coastal Defense fourth.
Advertisement
Bodexpress, a 4-year-old Bodemeister colt, ran 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:49.12 with Rafael Bejarano up for trainer Gustavo Delgado.
Bodexpress scored his first stakes win in his 17th career start. He finished second in the 2019 Florida Derby but, before the Clark, was best-known for throwing rider John Velazquez at the start of the Preakness Stakes, then running two circuits of the Pimlico track riderless, to the fascination of national television commentators.
"This is a different horse than we saw last year during the Triple Crown campaign," said Gustavo Delgado Jr., assistant to this father.
"He's really matured. Turning for home I thought we had a really good shot. The horse deserves this most of all. I'm very happy for everyone involved but we are so happy for Bodexpress."
Bodexpress is based in South Florida and his next start likely will be in the $3 million Grade I Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 23.
Distaff
Mrs. Danvers battled for the early lead in Friday's $100,000 Grade III Comely Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct, then shook loose and got away to win by 6 1/4 lengths.
Advertisement
Ice Princess was second, another 4 lengths to the good of Thankful in third. Mrs. Danvers, a Tapit filly, ran 1 1/8 miles on a good track in 1:50.09 with Jose Lezcano in the irons. In her only previous graded stakes effort, she finished fifth in the Grade I Test at Saratoga in August.
"We were anxious to get her stretched out," said Mrs. Danvers' trainer, Shug McGaughey. "It's just been kind of difficult to do so.
"This is what we felt like she wanted to do. Watching some of her allowance races, I wasn't sure I was running her right. It looked like she was going to win and then she wouldn't win."
As Delta Downs shook off its hurricane damage and returned to action, Gibberish shot quickly to the fore in Friday's $100,000 Treasure Chest Stakes for fillies and mares, gradually edged clear and got home first by 1 length.
The favorite, Regal Beauty, came from last of seven to finish second, 1 1/2 length better than Shes Our Fastest. Gibberish, a 3-year-old Lea filly, ran 1 mile on a sloppy track in 1:41.53. Ry Eikleberry rode for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.
Turf
Arklow, with the smoothest of trips, took the lead in the stretch run of Friday's $200,000 Grade II Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar and held on to win by 1/2 length.
Advertisement
With Joel Rosario riding, the 6-year-old son of Arch saved ground behind early leader Acclimate. He moved up rounding the third turn in the 1 1/2-miles event, got by Acclimate and held off Laccario by 1/2 length.
Say the Word also was gaining late, but settled for third, another 1/2 length back. Arklow finished in 2:26.31.
Arklow, based at Churchill Downs with trainer Brad Cox, finished sixth in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf in his last start. Before that, he won the Grade III Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs.
Campaigned primarily in the Midwest, this was his first start in California, save only an eighth-place effort in the 2019 Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita.
"It kind of worked out the way we had drawn it up," said Blake Cox, the trainer's son and assistant. "Joel was able to get a real good stalking position and then finish strong.
"What's next will be up to [owner] Jerry Crawford and Donegal Racing, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Pegasus World Cup Turf is on the radar."
Saturday at Del Mar, Domestic Spending closed to the early leaders in the final furlong of the $300,000 Grade I Hollywood Derby and got there in time to win by a head.
Advertisement
Smooth Like Strait grabbed a late lead and just yielded to the winner in the final strides. Gufo came from the clouds to take third, just a neck farther back. Domestic Spending, a British-bred Kingman gelding, ran 1 1/8 miles on firm turf in 1:47.15 with Irad Ortiz up.
Domestic Spending was one of several horses sent west by trainer Chad Brown for the weekend's stakes at Del Mar. Four won, three of them ridden by Ortiz. Domestic Spending picked up his fourth win from five starts, emerging as a potential force in the division next season.
"I thought I was going to be closer with him but he came out of there a little slow and we were in the back," Ortiz said.
"I worked my way up on the backside and he was running perfect. When I asked him for his run at the three eighths, he was ready. He really put in a nice kick. He's been a little green in his earlier races but he's getting better all the time."
Friday at Aqueduct, City Man sat off the early pace in the $100,000 Gio Ponti Stakes for 3-year-olds, came four-wide to make his bid and then got the better of Bodecream in the final strides, winning by a nose. Price Talk was third.
Advertisement
City Man, a Mucho Macho Man colt, ran 1 1/16 miles on good turf in 1:44.88 with Junior Alvarado in the irons. He won his first two starts as a 2-year-old at Saratoga, but then had not visited the winner's circle since. He entered the Gio Ponti off a pair of second-place finishes, also at the Spa.
"I tried to run against New York-breds but the race didn't go," winning trainer Christophe Clement said. "Two weeks ago, I decided to run him in the stakes and it worked."
In Saturday's $100,000 Grade III Discovery Handicap for 3-year-olds at Aqueduct, Forza Di Oro chased down pacesetting favorite Monday Morning Qb at mid-stretch and ran on to win by 3 3/4 lengths over that rival.
Shared Sense finished third, another 1 1/2 lengths back. Forza Di Oro, a Speightstown colt, ran 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:50.03. Junior Alvarado had the ride for trainer Bill Mott. He improved to 3-for-5.
Saturday at Del Mar, Count Again rallied from last of 12 to win the $200,000 Grade II Seabiscuit Handicap by 3/4 length over fellow closer Flavius. Next Shares also found some late speed to take third while the favorite, Anothertwistafate, held the lead briefly before finishing fourth.
Advertisement
Count Again, a 5-year-old, Ontario-bred gelding by Awesome Again, ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:40.84 with Juan Hernandez in the irons. Raced at Woodbine this summer, Count Again accounted for the Grade III Singspiel Stakes in September.
"Juan followed our plan," winning trainer Phil D'Amato said. "I just told him to save all the ground and come with one run. If the race sets up for us, great. If not, we'll stretch him out next time. He followed those instructions to a 'T' and he came with a monstrous run."
Filly & Mare Turf
Viadera and Blowout put the cherry on top of a very nice weekend sundae for trainer Chad Brown Sunday as they finished 1-2 in the $300,000 Grade I Matriarch at Del Mar. That result capped a weekend that found Brown's horses, shipped in from New York, lift four turf stakes at the seaside California oval.
In the Matriarch, Blowout put the pace pressure on early leader Juliet Foxtrot, led in the lane was just nipped in the final strides by her stablemate. Juliet Foxtrot held third and another of Brown's minions, Tamahere, finished sixth as the favorite.
Viadera, a 4-year-old, British-bred filly by Bated Breath, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:33.03 for jockey Joel Rosario. She now has three wins in a row.
Advertisement
Jose Hernandez, who managed the California invasion for Brown, sounded happy with the results.
"This weekend has been amazing," Hernandez said. "In the future, I don't know when it would be, if Chad wanted to come out here with a string, I'd like that. We like it out here."
Brown's weekend Del Mar winners also included Orglandes in Thursday's $100,000 Grade III Red Carpet Stakes.
Mutamakina found running room inside stablemate Traipsing in the stretch run of Saturday's $100,000 Grade III Long Island Stakes at Aqueduct, squirted through that opening and went on to win by 3/4 length.
Traipsing held second, 1 3/4 length better than Delta's Kingdom. Mutamakina, a 4-year-old, British-bred filly by Nathanial, finished 1 3/8 miles on good turf in 2:21.08 with Dylan Davis up. Christophe Clement trains the first two finishers.
The Long Island was the second U.S. start for Mutamakina, who finished third in her Stateside debut at Belmont Park in October. Traipsing was making her first graded stakes start. Clement said he has 2021 hopes for both.
"Obviously, the way she [Mutamakina] ran today, she will be an exciting prospect for the 1 1/2-mile division. I thought she was extremely unlucky last time at Belmont Park. I was delighted to see her win. She deserved a graded stakes win," Clement said.
Advertisement
"I was excited about Traipsing as well. She's now graded stakes placed and should have a nice career going longer. She might have just got beat by a better horse."
Feel Glorious trailed much of the field through the early furlongs in Friday's $100,000 Forever Together Stakes at Aqueduct, came five-wide into the stretch and then survived a wild charge to the finish, winning by 3/4 length in the final strides.
Less than 1 length separated the following five finishers -- Tapit Today, Myhartblongstodady, Platinum Paynter and Miss Tehran. Feel Glorious, a 4-year-old, British-bred filly by Bated Breath, finished 1 1/16 miles on good going in 1:45.77 under Junior Alvarado.
"She's turning 5 and we'll have to talk to [owner Dean] Reeves," trainer Christophe Clement said of Feel Glorious' future. "If he wants to carry on next year, I don't know if she needs the whole winter off.
"We could actually run her this year in the Florida stakes. He has to make a decision to breed her next year or race her, and according to that, we'll map out a plan."
Turf Sprint
Turned Aside broke alertly in Saturday's $100,000 Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship, then took back kindly from a pace duel for jockey Jose Lezcano.
Advertisement
When asked, he regained the lead and drew off to win by 1 1/4 lengths over El Tormenta. True Valour was third. Turned Aside, a 3-year-old American Pharoah colt, finished 6 furlongs on turf rated good in 1:10.89.
Winner of the Grade III Quick Call Stakes at Saratoga in July, the Linda Rice trainee now has four wins from nine starts.
Lead Guitar moved to the lead as the field hit the stretch drive in Sunday's $100,000 Autumn Days Stakes for fillies and mares and edged away to win by 3 1/4 lengths.
A Great Time was second, a head in front of Risky Mischief. Lead Guitar, a 4-year-old filly by Maclean's Music, ran 6 furlongs on good turf in 1:10.87. Jose Lezcano had the mount for trainer George Weaver.
Juvenile Turf
Never Surprised was no surprise in Saturday's $100,000 Central Park Stakes at Aqueduct. Sent off as the favorite in a field of nine, the Constitution colt was out front immediately after the break and never challenged.
He built a 3-lengths lead in the stretch and won by 1 3/4 lengths over Hard Love. The others were well back. Never Surprised, with Kendrick Carmouche in the irons, ran 1 1/16 miles on good turf in 1:43.74. He was an equally easy winner in his career debut going 6 furlongs Nov. 8.
Advertisement
Trainer Todd Pletcher said he told owner Mike Repole he "pretty much threw the book" at Never Surprised in the race, coming back on short rest and moving out from a sprint.
"We felt like he could do it," he added. He also noted Never Surprised has trained well on dirt so that possibility is somewhere in his mind for the winter in Florida. "Constitutions have been running on pretty much everything," he said.
Sunday at Del Mar, Beer Can Man rallied from a pace-stalking trip to score a 20-1 upset victory in the $100,000 Grade III Cecil B. DeMille.
Caisson rolled along from the back of the field to finish second, 1/2 length back of the winner and the early leader, Commander Khai, held third. Beer Can Man, a Can the Man colt out of the Dynaformer mare Cheesecake, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:34.75 with Juan Hernandez up for trainer Mark Glatt, who said the colt exceeded expectations.
"We entered him the first weekend of the meeting, thinking we could run then and then come back in this race," Glatt said. "But that race didn't go. So, [the owners] told me to get him ready to go a mile. I was a little skeptical, to be honest, but the horse relaxed great, Juan put a nice ride on him and he got the money."
Advertisement
Juvenile Fillies Turf
Fluffy Socks, shipped cross-country by trainer Chad Brown for Saturday's $100,000 Grade III Jimmy Durante at Del Mar, got the job done in deep stretch, winning by 1/2 length over Javanica.
Quattroelle was third, just a neck farther back. Fluffy Socks, a daughter of Slumber out of the Kitten's Joy mare Breakfast Time, bounced around near the back of the field, exchanging some bumps with rivals before making up all the ground in the lane. She finished 1 mile on firm turf in 1:35.35 with Irad Ortiz Jr. riding.
Fluffy Socks won the Selima Stakes at Pimlico Oct. 3 and finished second in the Chelsey Flower at Belmont Park Nov. 1.
"She felt like a winner all the way around," Ortiz said. "We had some traffic on the turn, but I got through and got her to where I wanted to be. She's a nice filly. Big kick."
On Sunday at Aqueduct, Lovestruck rated behind a long shot leader in the $100,000 Tepin Stakes, came three-wide to take the lead and got there first by 1 length over Invincible Gal.
Big Time Lady, the early speed, finished third. Lovestruck, a Tapit filly from the Mr. Prospector mare Love Style, finished 1 1/16 miles on good turf in 1:47.12, but awaited a no-call from a stewards' inquiry before the race was made official. Bill Mott trains the Godolphin homebred, who now is 2-for-2.
Advertisement
Sprint
Share the Ride took over the lead from pacesetting Tribecca in the final sixteenth of Sunday's $100,000 Grade III Fall Highweight Handicap at Aqueduct and held off Stan the Man to win by 3/4 length.
Absentee was third, a head farther back and a nose in front of Tribecca. Share the Ride, a 5-year-old Candy Ride gelding, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.62 while carrying 133 pounds including Jose Ortiz.
Around the ovals:
Laurel Park
The Maryland Jockey Club kept the holiday cornucopia churning out goodies Saturday with six $100,000 stakes events, to wit:
Dontletsweetfoolya took an early lead in the Primonetta Stakes for fillies and mares at 6 furlongs, extended the advantage and won by 5 1/4 lengths over Never Enough Time. Dontletsweetfoolya, a 3-year-old Stay Thirsty filly, finished in 1:09.79 with Javier Toledo in the irons.
Air Token was along late to post a 17-1 upset in the Concern Stakes for 3-year-olds, catching odds-on favorite Francatelli in the final strides. Golden Candy was third. Air Token, a Golden Lad gelding, got 7 furlongs in 1:22.29 with Horacio Karamanos up.
Hello Beautiful, the odds-on favorite, stalked the pace in the Safely Kept Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, got the upper hand in the stretch run and won by 3 lengths.
Advertisement
Reagan's Edge was 5 1/2 lengths clear in second. Hello Beautiful, also by Golden Lad, ran 7 furlongs in 1:22.26 for jockey Sheldon Russell.
Whereshetoldmetogo took a narrow lead in the stretch in the Frank W. Whiteley Stakes and just held on to win by a nose over the late-running favorite, Laki. Whereshetoldmetogo, a 5-year-old gelding by El Padrino, clicked off 6 furlongs in 1:08.59 with Russell at the controls.
Eres Tu pressed the pace in the Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes for fillies and mares, rolled to a big lead in the lane and got home first with the favorite, Lucky Stride, 1 1/2 lengths back in second. Eres Tu, a 4-year-old Malibu Moon filly, ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.62 with Trevor McCarthy up.
Harpers First Ride, the even-money favorite, sat off an early speed duel, surged to a big lead in the final quarter mile and won by 3 lengths with Cordmaker second. Harper's First Ride, a 4-year-old Paynter gelding, was clocked in 1:41.92. Angel Cruz rode.
Delta Downs
Hunka Burning Love pressed the pace through the first 6 furlongs of Saturday's $100,000 Delta Mile, then slowly took the lead and went on to win by 4 lengths.
Advertisement
Extirpator was second, a neck in front of Pioneer Spirit. Hunka Burning Love, a 6-year-old gelding by Into Mischief, reported in 1:40.80 over a sloppy, sealed track. Timothy Thornton had the mount for trainer Karl Broberg.
Mahoning Valley
Mobil Solution raced well back of the leaders early in Saturday's $75,000 Ruff/Kirchberg Memorial for Ohio-breds, took the inside path to get to the lead and won off by 2 lengths.
Garrett was second, 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Pat's Karma. Mobil Solution, a 5-year-old Mobil gelding, stopped the timer at 1:44.08 for 1 1/16 miles on a fast track. Erik Barbaran had the mount.
Sammy's Sister won the battle for the lead in Saturday's $75,000 Glacial Princess Stakes for Ohio-bred 2-year-old fillies, then edged clear from early rival Happy As You Go, the odds-on favorite, winning by 1 3/4 lengths.
Rock Star Lady was third. Sammy's Sister, a Mobil filly from the Louis Quatorze mare Lover, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:14.01 with Luis Rivera riding.
Charles Town
Shutupn'kissme got off to a quick lead in Saturday's $50,000 Eleanor Casey Memorial Stakes for West Virginia-bred 2-year-old fillies and held well through the stretch to win by 1 3/4 lengths from Theladyistrue.
Advertisement
Juba Train was third and Strolling Through completed the order of finish. Shutupn'kissme, a daughter of Fiber Sonde, got 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:28.57 with Wesley Ho in the irons.


upi--2020-11-30--Aaron Rodgers, Packers dominate Bears on 'SNF'

Nov. 30 ( UPI ) -- Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdown tosses to four different pass catchers and the Green Bay Packers played a turnover-free game to beat the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football in Green Bay , Wis. Rodgers completed 21 of 29 passes for 211 yards in the 41-25 victory at Lambeau Field .
Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky completed 26 of 46 passes for 242 yards and three scores , but threw two interceptions and lost a fumble .
Packers linebacker Preston Smith had a sack and a fumble recovery .
Fellow Packers linebacker Za'Darius Smith also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Safety Darnell Savage had two interceptions in the victory .
`` I thought it was a really good game plan executed to near perfection in the first half , which is what we needed to get off to a fast start , '' Rodgers told reporters .
`` I think it was an expert-level way Matt [ Packers coach Matt LaFleur ] called [ plays ] and then obviously we executed the way we needed to .
I 'm really proud of the guys up front . ''
Rodgers orchestrated a 14-play , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the game .
He ended the drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Davante Adams .
Bears kicker Cairo Santos made a 27-yard field goal on the next drive , before Rodgers threw his second touchdown toss .
The Packers quarterback threw a five-yard pass for that score to tight end Marcedes Lewis .
The Packers pushed their lead to 20-3 when Rodgers threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Allen Lazard 4:40 before halftime .
The Bears then put together a 14-play , 85-yard drive at the end of the half .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Allen Robinson to end that possession and make the score 27-10 at the break .
Each team punted on their first drives of the second half .
Rodgers then threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Robert Tonyan to give the Packers a 24-point advantage .
Packers running back Jamaal Williams later added a 13-yard rushing touchdown with 1:18 remaining in the third quarter .
The Bears responded with a 13-play , 70-yard scoring drive .
Trubisky connected with Robinson on a 6-yard touchdown pass to end that possession with a score about three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threw another fourth-quarter touchdown pass when he found David Montgomery on a three-yard connection with 3:26 remaining .
The Trubisky to Montgomery score provided the final points of the night .
`` I just felt like they got after us the entire game from the first quarter until the very end , '' Bears coach Matt Nagy said .
Montgomery had 143 yards from scrimmage and a score on 16 touches in the loss .
Robinson had eight catches for 74 yards and two scores .
`` Even when you have a great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improve , '' Packers coach Matt LaFleur said .
`` Our guys know the expectations are extremely high here .
I would n't want it any other way . ''
The Packers ( 8-3 ) will host the Philadelphia Eagles at 4:25 p.m. EST Sunday at Lambeau Field .
The Bears ( 5-6 ) will host the Detroit Lions at 1 p.m. EST Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago .

1/3
Aaron Rodgers (L) had no turnovers, while Mitchell Trubisky (R) and two interceptions and a fumble in the Green Bay Packers win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday in Green Bay, Wis. File Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdown tosses to four different pass catchers and the Green Bay Packers played a turnover-free game to beat the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football in Green Bay, Wis. Rodgers completed 21 of 29 passes for 211 yards in the 41-25 victory at Lambeau Field. Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky completed 26 of 46 passes for 242 yards and three scores, but threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. Advertisement
Packers linebacker Preston Smith had a sack and a fumble recovery. Fellow Packers linebacker Za'Darius Smith also had a sack and forced fumble. Safety Darnell Savage had two interceptions in the victory.
"I thought it was a really good game plan executed to near perfection in the first half, which is what we needed to get off to a fast start," Rodgers told reporters.
Advertisement
"I think it was an expert-level way Matt [Packers coach Matt LaFleur] called [plays] and then obviously we executed the way we needed to. I'm really proud of the guys up front."
Defense, the running game & the NFC North. Things from Sunday night's win over the Bears #CHIvsGB | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/sn3VIydcB7— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 30, 2020
Rodgers orchestrated a 14-play, 75-yard touchdown drive on the first possession of the game. He ended the drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Davante Adams.
Bears kicker Cairo Santos made a 27-yard field goal on the next drive, before Rodgers threw his second touchdown toss. The Packers quarterback threw a five-yard pass for that score to tight end Marcedes Lewis.
The Packers pushed their lead to 20-3 when Rodgers threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Allen Lazard 4:40 before halftime.
The Bears then put together a 14-play, 85-yard drive at the end of the half. Trubisky threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Allen Robinson to end that possession and make the score 27-10 at the break.
Each team punted on their first drives of the second half. Rodgers then threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Robert Tonyan to give the Packers a 24-point advantage. Packers running back Jamaal Williams later added a 13-yard rushing touchdown with 1:18 remaining in the third quarter.
Advertisement
The Bears responded with a 13-play, 70-yard scoring drive. Trubisky connected with Robinson on a 6-yard touchdown pass to end that possession with a score about three minutes into the fourth quarter.
Trubisky threw another fourth-quarter touchdown pass when he found David Montgomery on a three-yard connection with 3:26 remaining. The Trubisky to Montgomery score provided the final points of the night.
"I just felt like they got after us the entire game from the first quarter until the very end," Bears coach Matt Nagy said.
Montgomery had 143 yards from scrimmage and a score on 16 touches in the loss. Robinson had eight catches for 74 yards and two scores.
"Even when you have a great performance, there are always areas to improve," Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. "Our guys know the expectations are extremely high here. I wouldn't want it any other way."
The Packers (8-3) will host the Philadelphia Eagles at 4:25 p.m. EST Sunday at Lambeau Field. The Bears (5-6) will host the Detroit Lions at 1 p.m. EST Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-30--Kim Jong Un 'harshly criticizes' agencies amid economic, COVID-19 woes

SEOUL , Nov. 30 ( UPI ) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reprimanded the country 's economic agencies for failing to execute policies on a `` scientific basis '' at a meeting of the politburo of the ruling Workers ' Party of Korea , state media reported Monday .
At the meeting , held Sunday , Kim `` harshly criticized '' the agencies for not providing `` scientific guidance '' in their policies , Korean Central News Agency reported .
The meeting `` stressed the need to put the operation and command for carrying out the party 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ display great dedication and responsibility , '' the KCNA report said .
It was unclear what specific incidents the North Korean leader was referencing , but experts have said the secretive totalitarian state has been struggling against severe economic hardships in 2020 .
North Korea has faced `` a triple whammy of COVID-19 border closures , international sanctions and natural disasters this year , '' South Korea 's Unification Ministry spokesman Yoh Sang-key said in response to the KCNA report at a press briefing Monday .
Pyongyang took early action against the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , disrupting economic activity with its main trading partner , China .
North Korea was also battered by a series of late-summer typhoons that caused flooding and major damage to buildings , roads and crops .
South Korea 's National Intelligence Service told lawmakers last week that Kim Jong Un has taken `` irrational actions '' in response to economic difficulties and the pandemic , including executing a leading Pyongyang money changer over a sudden fluctuation in the exchange rate .
Kim also suspended fishing and salt production over fears that seawater could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The North Korean leader has appeared to publicly target corruption and party discipline among officials ahead of a major party congress slated for January .
In the summer , Kim rebuked officials over economic mismanagement of the construction of a new hospital in Pyongyang and earlier this month , he condemned a medical school for committing `` serious criminal acts '' and engaging in `` anti-socialist activity . ''
On Sunday , KCNA reported that the country has tightened its virus prevention measures along the border with the South and at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to order officials to incinerate seaborne trash that enters North Korean waters .
The politburo meeting also discussed plans for the eighth congress of the Workers ' Party , slated to be held in January , at which Kim is expected to lay out a new five-year economic plan .
Last month , Kim called for an 80-day `` all-out campaign '' to meet economic and development goals ahead of the party congress .

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un condemned economic agencies during a politburo meeting for failing to provide "scientific guidance," state media reported Monday. Photo by KCNA
SEOUL, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reprimanded the country's economic agencies for failing to execute policies on a "scientific basis" at a meeting of the politburo of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, state media reported Monday. At the meeting, held Sunday, Kim "harshly criticized" the agencies for not providing "scientific guidance" in their policies, Korean Central News Agency reported. Advertisement
The meeting "stressed the need to put the operation and command for carrying out the party's economic policies on a scientific basis and display great dedication and responsibility," the KCNA report said.
It was unclear what specific incidents the North Korean leader was referencing, but experts have said the secretive totalitarian state has been struggling against severe economic hardships in 2020.
North Korea has faced "a triple whammy of COVID-19 border closures, international sanctions and natural disasters this year," South Korea's Unification Ministry spokesman Yoh Sang-key said in response to the KCNA report at a press briefing Monday.
Pyongyang took early action against the COVID-19 pandemic and closed its borders in January, disrupting economic activity with its main trading partner, China.
Advertisement
North Korea was also battered by a series of late-summer typhoons that caused flooding and major damage to buildings, roads and crops.
South Korea's National Intelligence Service told lawmakers last week that Kim Jong Un has taken "irrational actions" in response to economic difficulties and the pandemic, including executing a leading Pyongyang money changer over a sudden fluctuation in the exchange rate.
Kim also suspended fishing and salt production over fears that seawater could be contaminated by COVID-19, NIS officials said.
The North Korean leader has appeared to publicly target corruption and party discipline among officials ahead of a major party congress slated for January.
In the summer, Kim rebuked officials over economic mismanagement of the construction of a new hospital in Pyongyang and earlier this month, he condemned a medical school for committing "serious criminal acts" and engaging in "anti-socialist activity."
On Sunday, KCNA reported that the country has tightened its virus prevention measures along the border with the South and at maritime boundaries, going as far as to order officials to incinerate seaborne trash that enters North Korean waters.
The politburo meeting also discussed plans for the eighth congress of the Workers' Party, slated to be held in January, at which Kim is expected to lay out a new five-year economic plan.
Advertisement
Last month, Kim called for an 80-day "all-out campaign" to meet economic and development goals ahead of the party congress.


upi--2020-11-30--Britain bans telecoms from installing Huawei equipment from September

Nov. 30 ( UPI ) -- Britain on Monday announced it has ordered domestic telecommunication companies to stop installing Huawei equipment as part of its next generation Internet infrastructure starting in September .
Oliver Dowden , the secretary of state for Digital , Culture , Media and Sport , announced the ban with the publication of a roadmap to bar the Chinese tech behemoth from its 5G Internet technology by 2027 .
`` We are taking bold steps to implement one of the toughest telecoms security regimes in the world , '' Dowden said in a statement .
`` A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vendors , and I have set out an unambiguous timetable for the complete removal of Huawei equipment from our 5G networks no later than 2027 . ''
Monday 's ban follows Britain 's July announcement that it would remove Huawei from its 5G networks by the end of 2027 in response to U.S. sanctions against the company as it views the Chinese telecom as a national security risk .
The announcement also came hours before members of Parliament were to debate a new telecoms security bill that would allow for companies to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for not adhering to the ban .
It will also give the secretary of state more powers to designate vendors in the interests of national security .
Dowden said their plan , called the 5G Diversification Strategy , aims to bar high-risk vendors from its 5G networks while growing its domestic telecoms supply chain .
The strategy is backed by an initial $ 330 million to implement its three core pillars of supporting incumbent suppliers , attracting new suppliers to its domestic market and accelerating the development and deployment of open-interface solutions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan to achieve all three so that we are never again dependent on a small number of suppliers , '' he said , adding this strategy combined with the new legislation will keep high-risk vendors out of their networks .
`` Together , they lay the foundations for a world-class telecoms security framework , and will ensure that the UK 's critical national infrastructure remains safe and secure -- both now and in the future , '' he said .

Britain in July ordered domestic telecoms to remove all Huawei equipment from its 5G networks by 2027. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Britain on Monday announced it has ordered domestic telecommunication companies to stop installing Huawei equipment as part of its next generation Internet infrastructure starting in September. Oliver Dowden, the secretary of state for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, announced the ban with the publication of a roadmap to bar the Chinese tech behemoth from its 5G Internet technology by 2027. Advertisement
"We are taking bold steps to implement one of the toughest telecoms security regimes in the world," Dowden said in a statement. "A central part of that is combating high-risk vendors, and I have set out an unambiguous timetable for the complete removal of Huawei equipment from our 5G networks no later than 2027."
Monday's ban follows Britain's July announcement that it would remove Huawei from its 5G networks by the end of 2027 in response to U.S. sanctions against the company as it views the Chinese telecom as a national security risk.
The announcement also came hours before members of Parliament were to debate a new telecoms security bill that would allow for companies to be penalized up to $13,300 a day for not adhering to the ban. It will also give the secretary of state more powers to designate vendors in the interests of national security.
Advertisement
Dowden said their plan, called the 5G Diversification Strategy, aims to bar high-risk vendors from its 5G networks while growing its domestic telecoms supply chain.
The strategy is backed by an initial $330 million to implement its three core pillars of supporting incumbent suppliers, attracting new suppliers to its domestic market and accelerating the development and deployment of open-interface solutions.
"This strategy sets out a targeted plan to achieve all three so that we are never again dependent on a small number of suppliers," he said, adding this strategy combined with the new legislation will keep high-risk vendors out of their networks.
"Together, they lay the foundations for a world-class telecoms security framework, and will ensure that the UK's critical national infrastructure remains safe and secure -- both now and in the future," he said.


upi--2020-11-30--Wisconsin recount affirms Biden victory; he twists ankle playing with dog

Nov. 29 ( UPI ) -- A recount in Wisconsin affirmed President-elect Joe Biden 's win in the state Sunday , but President Donald Trump said he would still pursue legal challenges .
Also Sunday , Dr. Kevin O'Connor , Biden 's physician and the director of executive medicine at GW Medical Faculty Associates , announced in a statement that the president-elect had suffered a hairline fracture in his foot .
Biden 's team earlier in the day told reporters he had twisted his ankle Saturday while playing with his German shepherd dog , Major .
Biden , who turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Delaware Orthopedic Specialists in Newark , Del.
, shortly after 4 p.m. , to undergo an examination .
The follow-up CT scan confirmed that the president-elect had suffered a hairline fracture in the lateral and intermediate cuneiform bones in his foot , O'Connor said in a statement , adding that Biden will `` likely require a walking boot '' for a couple of weeks .
Trump retweeted a video of Biden exciting the Delaware orthopedic office , with the comment : `` Get well soon ! ''
The announcement of his broken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wisconsin .
The former vice president had won the state by 20,000 votes and his lead over Trump increased by 87 votes following the recount requested and funded by Trump 's campaign as Milwaukee County completed its tally on Friday and Dane County finished its count on Sunday .
Danielle Melfi , Wisconsin state director of Biden 's campaign , said Sunday the recount `` only served to reaffirm '' the former vice president 's win and that local boards of canvassers `` resoundingly rejected -- often on a bipartisan basis -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites who simply followed the law when they voted .
And despite repeated incendiary accusations , there was no evidence of fraud whatsoever . ''
In Dane County , Trump saw a net gain of 45 votes after Biden lost 91 and trump lost 46 , largely due to absentee ballot envelopes that were found lacking voter signatures , witness signatures or witness address , Dane County Clerk Scott McDonell said .
Biden gained 132 more votes in Milwaukee County after tabulators discovered 386 votes were not counted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what this recount showed was that there was absolutely no evidence of voter fraud in this election even after looking at over 300,000 ballots , over 245,000 envelopes , '' said McDonell .
`` Really this incredible level of transparency should provide reassurance to the public that the election was run properly and accurately and there was no fraud . ''
Trump 's campaign requested the recount , seeking to toss out about 180,000 votes in the two counties as their lawyers arguing that a form signed by voters who cast ballots during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state law .
They also objected to state practices including allowing election officials to fix errors on certification envelopes of some mail-in ballots and allowing some people to vote without providing photo ID by declaring themselves `` indefinitely confined '' due to age or disability .
Trump wrote on Twitter Saturday that his team plans to file a legal challenge in Wisconsin following the recount , claiming without evidence that they had `` found many illegal votes . ''
`` The Wisconsin recount is not about finding mistakes in the count , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegally and that case will be brought after the recount is over , on Monday or Tuesday , '' Trump wrote .
In an interview on Fox News ' Sunday Morning Futures , Trump also continued to claim that the election was `` rigged '' and `` a fraud '' complaining that he has `` not seen anything '' from either the Department of Justice or the Federal Bureau of Investigation looking into the 2020 election .
`` You would think if you 're the FBI or Department of Justice , this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at .
Where are they ?
I 've not seen anything , '' Trump said .
`` They just keep moving along and they go on to the next president . ''
Trump has lost a series of challenges in key states , with Michigan officials certifying the state 's vote in favor of Biden , while Pennsylvania did the same .
A recount of ballots in Georgia also affirmed Biden 's victory in the state .
The Wisconsin Election Commission is scheduled to meet on Tuesday for election officials to vote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another state where Trump has challenged Biden 's win -- is also set to finalize election results .
Despite the ongoing legal challenges , the formal transition process has begun with the General Service Administration releasing transition funds to Biden 's campaign , as his transition team has been cleared to receive key information including the President 's Daily Brief .
On Saturday , the Pennsylvania Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit from Rep. Mike Kelly , R-Penn.
, and other Republicans that attempted to invalidate absentee voting and block the certification of votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday after spending two days at Camp David in Maryland with family members .

1/2
Wisconsin's recount of votes in Milwaukee and Dane County was completed Sunday, netting President-elect Joe Biden 87 additional votes and affirming his victory over President Donald Trump. Pool photo by Andrew Harnik/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 29 (UPI) -- A recount in Wisconsin affirmed President-elect Joe Biden's win in the state Sunday, but President Donald Trump said he would still pursue legal challenges. Also Sunday, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, Biden's physician and the director of executive medicine at GW Medical Faculty Associates, announced in a statement that the president-elect had suffered a hairline fracture in his foot. Advertisement
Biden's team earlier in the day told reporters he had twisted his ankle Saturday while playing with his German shepherd dog, Major.
Biden, who turned 78 on Nov. 20, arrived at the Delaware Orthopedic Specialists in Newark, Del., shortly after 4 p.m., to undergo an examination.
The follow-up CT scan confirmed that the president-elect had suffered a hairline fracture in the lateral and intermediate cuneiform bones in his foot, O'Connor said in a statement, adding that Biden will "likely require a walking boot" for a couple of weeks.
Advertisement
Trump retweeted a video of Biden exciting the Delaware orthopedic office, with the comment: "Get well soon!"
The announcement of his broken foot followed the re-affirmation of his win in Wisconsin.
The former vice president had won the state by 20,000 votes and his lead over Trump increased by 87 votes following the recount requested and funded by Trump's campaign as Milwaukee County completed its tally on Friday and Dane County finished its count on Sunday.
Danielle Melfi, Wisconsin state director of Biden's campaign, said Sunday the recount "only served to reaffirm" the former vice president's win and that local boards of canvassers "resoundingly rejected -- often on a bipartisan basis -- the Trump campaign's baseless attempts to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites who simply followed the law when they voted. And despite repeated incendiary accusations, there was no evidence of fraud whatsoever."
In Dane County, Trump saw a net gain of 45 votes after Biden lost 91 and trump lost 46, largely due to absentee ballot envelopes that were found lacking voter signatures, witness signatures or witness address, Dane County Clerk Scott McDonell said.
Biden gained 132 more votes in Milwaukee County after tabulators discovered 386 votes were not counted on election day.
Advertisement
"For me what this recount showed was that there was absolutely no evidence of voter fraud in this election even after looking at over 300,000 ballots, over 245,000 envelopes," said McDonell. "Really this incredible level of transparency should provide reassurance to the public that the election was run properly and accurately and there was no fraud."
Trump's campaign requested the recount, seeking to toss out about 180,000 votes in the two counties as their lawyers arguing that a form signed by voters who cast ballots during in-person early voting was not sufficient under state law.
They also objected to state practices including allowing election officials to fix errors on certification envelopes of some mail-in ballots and allowing some people to vote without providing photo ID by declaring themselves "indefinitely confined" due to age or disability.
Trump wrote on Twitter Saturday that his team plans to file a legal challenge in Wisconsin following the recount, claiming without evidence that they had "found many illegal votes."
"The Wisconsin recount is not about finding mistakes in the count, it is about finding people who have voted illegally and that case will be brought after the recount is over, on Monday or Tuesday," Trump wrote.
Advertisement
In an interview on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures, Trump also continued to claim that the election was "rigged" and "a fraud" complaining that he has "not seen anything" from either the Department of Justice or the Federal Bureau of Investigation looking into the 2020 election.
"You would think if you're the FBI or Department of Justice, this is the biggest thing you could be looking at. Where are they? I've not seen anything," Trump said. "They just keep moving along and they go on to the next president."
Trump has lost a series of challenges in key states, with Michigan officials certifying the state's vote in favor of Biden, while Pennsylvania did the same. A recount of ballots in Georgia also affirmed Biden's victory in the state.
The Wisconsin Election Commission is scheduled to meet on Tuesday for election officials to vote on certifying the elections, while Arizona -- another state where Trump has challenged Biden's win -- is also set to finalize election results.
Despite the ongoing legal challenges, the formal transition process has begun with the General Service Administration releasing transition funds to Biden's campaign, as his transition team has been cleared to receive key information including the President's Daily Brief.
Advertisement
On Saturday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit from Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Penn., and other Republicans that attempted to invalidate absentee voting and block the certification of votes.
Trump returned to the White House on Sunday after spending two days at Camp David in Maryland with family members.


upi--2020-11-30--What to stream: Celebrity holiday specials

Nov. 30 ( UPI ) -- Mariah Carey , Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood , BTS , The Weeknd , Carrie Underwood , Thomas Rhett and more big names in music are taking part in a number of holiday specials .
Here 's a list of the holiday specials set to arrive in November and December .
Katy Perry , BTS and Pink will perform during the 2020 Disney Holiday Singalong , which airs Monday at 8 p.m. EST on ABC .
The special will also feature the Broadway casts of The Lion King and Aladdin , the North American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Michael Bublé , Ciara , Chloe X Halle , Derek Hough , Hayley Erbert , Julianne Hough , Adam Lambert , Leslie Odom Jr. and Kerry Washington .
Ryan Seacrest will host the hourlong musical event .
Country singer Thomas Rhett and his wife Lauren Akins will host the 11th annual CMA Country Christmas special , which airs Monday at 9 p.m. EST on ABC , following the Disney Holiday Singalong .
Kelsea Ballerini , Gabby Barrett , Dan + Shay , Florida Georgia Line , Lady A , Little Big Town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rucker and Lindsey Stirling will perform festive classics .
Carrie Underwood will celebrate the holidays in her own special , which comes to HBO Max on Dec. 3 .
The country star will perform a combination of traditional favorites and new material from her recently released Christmas album , titled My Gift .
Underwood will perform `` Hallelujah '' with John Legend and will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at her recording of `` Little Drummer Boy '' along with her 5-year-old son Isaiah .
Mariah Carey tries to solve a holiday cheer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas Special , which arrives on Apple TV+ on Dec. 4 .
The special will also feature Ariana Grande , Jennifer Hudson , Tiffany Haddish , Billy Eichner , Snoop Dogg , Jermaine Dupri , Misty Copeland , Mykal-Michelle Harris and Carey 's 9-year-old kids Moroccan and Monroe .
Matthew Morrison will play The Grinch in NBC 's televised edition of Broadway show Dr. Seuss ' The Grinch Musical !
, which will air Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. EST on NBC .
Denis O'Hare will star as The Grinch 's dog Max @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Max .
Newcomer Amelia Minto will play Cindy-Lou Who .
The production , featuring a book and lyrics by Timothy Mason , will take place at the Troubadour Theatre in London .
The Weeknd , Billie Eilish , Doja Cat , Dua Lipa , Harry Styles , Lewis Capaldi , Sam Smith and Shawn Mendes will perform at the 2020 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball , which airs Dec. 14 at 8 p.m. EST on The CW .
The all-star lineup will perform never-before-heard covers of iconic holiday tracks .
Country music couple Garth Brooks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trisha Live !
A Holiday Concert Event , which will air Dec. 20 at 8:30 p.m. EST .
The pair will perform holiday favorites , live by request , from their home recording studio .

1/4
Mariah Carey is presenting a Christmas special on Apple TV+, which arrives on December 4. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Mariah Carey, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, BTS, The Weeknd, Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett and more big names in music are taking part in a number of holiday specials. Here's a list of the holiday specials set to arrive in November and December. Advertisement
'Disney Holiday Singalong' -- ABC
Katy Perry, BTS and Pink will perform during the 2020 Disney Holiday Singalong, which airs Monday at 8 p.m. EST on ABC. The special will also feature the Broadway casts of The Lion King and Aladdin, the North American touring company of Frozen, Andrew Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Ciara, Chloe X Halle, Derek Hough, Hayley Erbert, Julianne Hough, Adam Lambert, Leslie Odom Jr. and Kerry Washington. Ryan Seacrest will host the hourlong musical event.
Advertisement
'CMA Country Christmas' -- ABC
Country singer Thomas Rhett and his wife Lauren Akins will host the 11th annual CMA Country Christmas special, which airs Monday at 9 p.m. EST on ABC, following the Disney Holiday Singalong. Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Lady A, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Rhett, Darius Rucker and Lindsey Stirling will perform festive classics.
'My Gift: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood' -- HBO Max
Carrie Underwood will celebrate the holidays in her own special, which comes to HBO Max on Dec. 3. The country star will perform a combination of traditional favorites and new material from her recently released Christmas album, titled My Gift. Underwood will perform "Hallelujah" with John Legend and will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at her recording of "Little Drummer Boy" along with her 5-year-old son Isaiah.
'Mariah Carey's Christmas Special' -- Apple TV+
Mariah Carey tries to solve a holiday cheer crisis at the North Pole in her Christmas Special, which arrives on Apple TV+ on Dec. 4. The special will also feature Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Tiffany Haddish, Billy Eichner, Snoop Dogg, Jermaine Dupri, Misty Copeland, Mykal-Michelle Harris and Carey's 9-year-old kids Moroccan and Monroe.
Advertisement
'Dr. Seuss' The Grinch Musical! -- NBC
Matthew Morrison will play The Grinch in NBC's televised edition of Broadway show Dr. Seuss' The Grinch Musical!, which will air Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. EST on NBC. Denis O'Hare will star as The Grinch's dog Max, with Booboo Stewart as a young Max. Newcomer Amelia Minto will play Cindy-Lou Who. The production, featuring a book and lyrics by Timothy Mason, will take place at the Troubadour Theatre in London.
'iHeartRadio Jingle Ball' -- The CW
The Weeknd, Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, Harry Styles, Lewis Capaldi, Sam Smith and Shawn Mendes will perform at the 2020 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball, which airs Dec. 14 at 8 p.m. EST on The CW. The all-star lineup will perform never-before-heard covers of iconic holiday tracks.
'Garth & Trisha Live! A Holiday Concert Event' -- CBS
Country music couple Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will present Garth & Trisha Live! A Holiday Concert Event, which will air Dec. 20 at 8:30 p.m. EST. The pair will perform holiday favorites, live by request, from their home recording studio.


upi--2020-11-30--Famous birthdays for Nov. 30: Billy Idol, Kaley Cuoco

Nov. 30 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius .
-- Shirley @ @ @ @ @ woman elected to Congress , in 1924

1/4
Billy Idol attends the premiere of "The Irishman" at the TCL Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on October 24, 2019. The rocker turns 65 on November 30. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius. They include: Advertisement
-- Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio in 1508
-- Irish satirist Jonathan Swift in 1667
-- Novelist Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, in 1835
-- Author Lucy Maud Montgomery in 1874
-- British statesman Winston Churchill in 1874
-- Photographer/writer Gordon Parks in 1912
-- Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to Congress, in 1924
UPI File Photo
-- Actor Robert Guillaume in 1927
-- Producer/TV music show host Dick Clark in 1929
-- Watergate figure G. Gordon Liddy in 1930 (age 90)
-- 1960s radical Abbie Hoffman in 1936
-- Filmmaker Ridley Scott in 1937 (age 83)
-- Filmmaker Terrence Malick in 1943 (age 77)
-- Playwright David Mamet in 1947 (age 73)
-- Singer/actor Mandy Patinkin in 1952 (age 68)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Singer June Pointer in 1953
-- Rock singer Billy Idol in 1955 (age 65)
Advertisement
-- Historian Michael Beschloss in 1955 (age 65)
-- Heisman Trophy winner/football Hall of Fame member Bo Jackson in 1962 (age 58)
-- Actor Ben Stiller in 1965 (age 55)
-- Music producer Steve Aoki in 1977 (age 43)
-- Singer Clay Aiken in 1978 (age 42)
-- Actor Gael Garcia Bernal in 1978 (age 42)
-- Actor Elisha Cuthbert in 1982 (age 38)
-- Model Chrissy Teigen in 1985 (age 35)
-- Actor Kaley Cuoco in 1985 (age 35)


upi--2020-11-30--On This Day, Nov. 30: Ken Jennings ends record 74-game run on 'Jeopardy!'

Nov. 30 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1731 , a series of earthquakes struck China .
More than 100,000 people died .
In 1782 , preliminary peace articles formally ending the American Revolutionary War were signed in Paris .
In 1913 , Charles Chaplin made his screen debut in Mack Sennett 's short film Making a Living .
In 1939 , the Russo-Finnish War -- also known as the Winter War -- started after the Soviet Union failed to obtain territorial concessions from Finland .
The war started with the bombing of Helsinki .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the roof of a house in Sylacauga , Ala. , striking Elizabeth Hodges , who was sleeping on a couch , in the hip .
The space rock was a sulfide meteorite weighing 8.5 pounds and measuring 7 inches in length .
In 1975 , Israel pulled out of a 93-mile-long corridor along the Gulf of Suez as part of an interim peace agreement with Egypt .
Israel captured oil fields along the corridor in the 1967 Six-Day War with Egypt , Jordan and Syria .
In 1989 , serial killer Aileen Wuornos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Volusia County , Fla. , Richard Mallory .
She claimed self-defense , but was convicted of murder and executed in 2002 .
In 1993 , President Bill Clinton signed the Brady Bill into law , the most far-reaching nationwide gun control measure enacted in a decade .
It was named after White House press secretary James Brady , who was injured in an assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan .
In 2004 , Ken Jennings lost on the U.S. game show Jeopardy !
after winning 74 games and $ 2.5 million .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transplant was conducted in France .
A woman who had been bitten by a dog was given a new nose , lips and chin .
In 2007 , an Atlasjet Airlines plane crashed near the Ispart , Turkey , airport , killing all 56 people aboard .
In 2012 , demonstrations erupted in Cairo soon after lawmakers passed a Constitutional Declaration that gave President Mohamed Morsi near-absolute power .
Morsi would be ousted by the military seven months later .
In 2013 , a fiery car crash in Southern California killed actor Paul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Roger Rodas .
Walker was perhaps best-known for his starring role in the The Fast & the Furious movie series .
In 2018 , former President George H.W .
Bush died at his home in Houston , six months after the passing of his wife , former first lady Barbara Bush .
At the time of his death , he was the longest lived U.S. president in history .

1/6
On November 30, 2004, Ken Jennings lost on the U.S. game show "Jeopardy!" after winning 74 games and $2.5 million. File Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 30 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1731, a series of earthquakes struck China. More than 100,000 people died. Advertisement
In 1782, preliminary peace articles formally ending the American Revolutionary War were signed in Paris.
In 1913, Charles Chaplin made his screen debut in Mack Sennett's short film Making a Living.
Images of Charlie Chaplin are seen during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Summer Olympics on July 27, 2012. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI
In 1939, the Russo-Finnish War -- also known as the Winter War -- started after the Soviet Union failed to obtain territorial concessions from Finland. The war started with the bombing of Helsinki.
In 1954, a meteorite crashed through the roof of a house in Sylacauga, Ala., striking Elizabeth Hodges, who was sleeping on a couch, in the hip. The space rock was a sulfide meteorite weighing 8.5 pounds and measuring 7 inches in length.
In 1975, Israel pulled out of a 93-mile-long corridor along the Gulf of Suez as part of an interim peace agreement with Egypt. Israel captured oil fields along the corridor in the 1967 Six-Day War with Egypt, Jordan and Syria.
Advertisement
In 1989, serial killer Aileen Wuornos killed her first of seven victims in Volusia County, Fla., Richard Mallory. She claimed self-defense, but was convicted of murder and executed in 2002.
In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed the Brady Bill into law, the most far-reaching nationwide gun control measure enacted in a decade. It was named after White House press secretary James Brady, who was injured in an assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan.
President Bill Clinton (R) and Jim Brady (C) share a moment during the 7th anniversary of the signing of the Brady Law on gun control in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, November 30, 2000. File Photo by Ricardo WatsonUPI
In 2004, Ken Jennings lost on the U.S. game show Jeopardy! after winning 74 games and $2.5 million.
In 2005, the world's first partial-face transplant was conducted in France. A woman who had been bitten by a dog was given a new nose, lips and chin.
In 2007, an Atlasjet Airlines plane crashed near the Ispart, Turkey, airport, killing all 56 people aboard.
Advertisement
In 2012, demonstrations erupted in Cairo soon after lawmakers passed a Constitutional Declaration that gave President Mohamed Morsi near-absolute power. Morsi would be ousted by the military seven months later.
In 2013, a fiery car crash in Southern California killed actor Paul Walker, 40, and his friend, Roger Rodas. Walker was perhaps best-known for his starring role in the The Fast & the Furious movie series.
In 2018, former President George H.W. Bush died at his home in Houston, six months after the passing of his wife, former first lady Barbara Bush. At the time of his death, he was the longest lived U.S. president in history.


upi--2020-11-30--Arizona, Wisconsin certify vote, sealing win for Biden

Nov. 30 ( UPI ) -- Election results in Wisconsin and Arizona were certified on Monday , making official Joe Biden 's victory over President Donald Trump in the states .
Wisconsin Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers declared the certification of the state 's votes Monday evening after Ann Jacobs , the chairwoman of the Wisconsin Election Commission , announced the completion of the state 's canvass and declared Biden the winner of its 10 electoral votes .
`` Today , I carried out my duty to certify the Nov. 3rd election , and as required by state and federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ascertainment for the slate of electors for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris , '' Evers declared via Twitter .
On Sunday , a recount in two counties requested and funded by the Trump campaign was completed and increased the former vice president 's lead by 87 votes .
Hours earlier on Monday , Arizona 's election results were certified in Phoenix 's historic old state Capitol building by Secretary of State Katie Hobbs .
The results marked the second time a Democrat has won the state of Arizona in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The votes have been tabulated , all 15 counties have certified their results , '' said Republican Gov .
Doug Ducey , who praised local election officials .
`` If you recall , there was talk about not having Election Day voting , some suggested canceling it , '' Ducey said Monday at the ceremony attended by Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich and Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Brutinel .
`` In Arizona , we said no thank you .
We are going to have Election Day .
This is America and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the hard work of our election workers , we preserved Election Day , '' Ducey added .
Final vote totals showed Biden won by 10,457 votes , or 0.3 % of the nearly 3.4 million ballots cast in Arizona .
Ducey also signed official documents declaring Democrat Mark Kelly the new U.S. Senator-elect .
Kelly defeated incumbent Republican Martha McSally by more than 78,800 votes in a special election .
McSally was appointed to fill the term of the late Sen. John McCain , who died in August 2018 .
Kelly will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Kyrsten Sinema as the second Democratic U.S. senator in the formerly red state .
Eleven electors from the Democratic party and the 10 from Wisconsin will meet officially on Dec. 14 to pledge their states ' electoral votes for Biden .
Meanwhile elsewhere in Phoenix , presidential lawyer Rudy Giuliani and a group of Republican Arizona state lawmakers announced they were holding a rally at a downtown hotel to challenge the results of the election and allege fraud .
State Rep. Mark Finchem who represents Oro Valley announced Friday he would chair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state legislature is not in session .
And late Monday , Trump continued to tweet out widely discredited claims of voter fraud and corruption in Arizona .
The Trump campaign dropped its election lawsuit in Arizona in mid-November after arguing that the integrity of the Nov. 3 election was compromised by machines that did not accurately tally `` overvotes . ''
Other suits challenging the Arizona ballot count have been tossed out by local and superior court judges .
Biden has had results certified in several battleground states vital to his winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's 232 .
Biden also won the popular vote by almost 6 million ballots cast .
Last week , election officials in Georgia , Pennsylvania , Nevada , Minnesota , and Michigan all certified their state vote tallies , giving Biden a winning combination of electoral votes .

1/2
Former Vice President Joe Biden and wife Dr. Jill Biden greet supporters at a parking lot in Wilmington, Delaware, early November 4. On Monday, the states of Wisconsin and Arizona certified their electoral results for Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Election results in Wisconsin and Arizona were certified on Monday, making official Joe Biden's victory over President Donald Trump in the states. Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers declared the certification of the state's votes Monday evening after Ann Jacobs, the chairwoman of the Wisconsin Election Commission, announced the completion of the state's canvass and declared Biden the winner of its 10 electoral votes. Advertisement
"Today, I carried out my duty to certify the Nov. 3rd election, and as required by state and federal law, I've signed the Certificate of Ascertainment for the slate of electors for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris," Evers declared via Twitter.
Final election results show Biden won 1,630,866 votes to Trump's 1,610,184.
Advertisement
On Sunday, a recount in two counties requested and funded by the Trump campaign was completed and increased the former vice president's lead by 87 votes.
Hours earlier on Monday, Arizona's election results were certified in Phoenix's historic old state Capitol building by Secretary of State Katie Hobbs.
The results marked the second time a Democrat has won the state of Arizona in a presidential contest in 70 years.
"The votes have been tabulated, all 15 counties have certified their results," said Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, who praised local election officials.
"If you recall, there was talk about not having Election Day voting, some suggested canceling it," Ducey said Monday at the ceremony attended by Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich and Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Brutinel.
"In Arizona, we said no thank you. We are going to have Election Day. This is America and no voter should be disenfranchised. Thanks to the hard work of our election workers, we preserved Election Day," Ducey added.
Final vote totals showed Biden won by 10,457 votes, or 0.3% of the nearly 3.4 million ballots cast in Arizona.
Advertisement
Ducey also signed official documents declaring Democrat Mark Kelly the new U.S. Senator-elect. Kelly defeated incumbent Republican Martha McSally by more than 78,800 votes in a special election. McSally was appointed to fill the term of the late Sen. John McCain, who died in August 2018.
Kelly will be sworn in on Wednesday, joining Sen. Kyrsten Sinema as the second Democratic U.S. senator in the formerly red state.
Eleven electors from the Democratic party and the 10 from Wisconsin will meet officially on Dec. 14 to pledge their states' electoral votes for Biden.
Meanwhile elsewhere in Phoenix, presidential lawyer Rudy Giuliani and a group of Republican Arizona state lawmakers announced they were holding a rally at a downtown hotel to challenge the results of the election and allege fraud.
State Rep. Mark Finchem who represents Oro Valley announced Friday he would chair a "fact-finding hearing" even though the state legislature is not in session.
And late Monday, Trump continued to tweet out widely discredited claims of voter fraud and corruption in Arizona.
The Trump campaign dropped its election lawsuit in Arizona in mid-November after arguing that the integrity of the Nov. 3 election was compromised by machines that did not accurately tally "overvotes."
Advertisement
Other suits challenging the Arizona ballot count have been tossed out by local and superior court judges.
Biden has had results certified in several battleground states vital to his winning 306 electoral votes on Nov. 3 to Trump's 232. Biden also won the popular vote by almost 6 million ballots cast.
Last week, election officials in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Minnesota, and Michigan all certified their state vote tallies, giving Biden a winning combination of electoral votes.