upi--2020-10-04--New Caledonia rejects independence from France in referendum

Oct. 4 ( UPI ) -- Voters in the Pacific territory of New Caledonia rejected a bid for independence from France Sunday in a second referendum on the issue .
Results shared by New Caledonia 's High Commission showed that 53.26 % of voters chose to reject independence from France while 46.74 % voted in favor of independence amid high turnout at 85.64 % .
French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday said he `` felt humility '' following the referendum adding that he welcomed the result .
`` The Caledonians have confirmed their wish to keep New Caledonia in France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the republic , '' Macron wrote on Twitter .
`` I also hear the voices of those who are motivated by the desire for independence .
We will all together build the New Caledonia of tomorrow . ''
Sunday 's vote was part of the 1998 Noumea Accord , which promised to grant power to New Caledonia and its Indigenous Kanak population .
Voters also rejected independence during the first referendum in 2018 , with 56.4 electing to remain part of France .
Kanaks also boycotted an earlier referendum in 1987 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another referendum can be held in 2022 and French Prime Minister Jean Castex on Sunday said the French government would support efforts toward independence .
Castex said the government said the French government sends `` a message of deep respect '' to those who voted for independence , assuring the government `` will remain true to its word : in accordance with the Noumea agreement it will respect the choice of elected Caledonians to request , or not , a third referendum . ''

Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Voters in the Pacific territory of New Caledonia rejected a bid for independence from France Sunday in a second referendum on the issue.
Results shared by New Caledonia's High Commission showed that 53.26% of voters chose to reject independence from France while 46.74% voted in favor of independence amid high turnout at 85.64%.
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French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday said he "felt humility" following the referendum adding that he welcomed the result.
"The Caledonians have confirmed their wish to keep New Caledonia in France. It is a mark of confidence in the republic," Macron wrote on Twitter. "I also hear the voices of those who are motivated by the desire for independence. We will all together build the New Caledonia of tomorrow."
Sunday's vote was part of the 1998 Noumea Accord, which promised to grant power to New Caledonia and its Indigenous Kanak population.
Voters also rejected independence during the first referendum in 2018, with 56.4 electing to remain part of France. Kanaks also boycotted an earlier referendum in 1987, citing unfair terms for voter eligibility.
Another referendum can be held in 2022 and French Prime Minister Jean Castex on Sunday said the French government would support efforts toward independence.
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Castex said the government said the French government sends "a message of deep respect" to those who voted for independence, assuring the government "will remain true to its word: in accordance with the Noumea agreement it will respect the choice of elected Caledonians to request, or not, a third referendum."


upi--2020-10-04--French Open: Nadal moves into quarterfinals; Halep upset

Oct. 4 ( UPI ) -- No .
2 seed Rafael Nadal beat American Sebastian Korda in straight sets on Sunday in Paris to move on to the quarterfinals of the 2020 French Open .
The 12-time French Open champion will face unseeded Jannik Sinner Tuesday at Roland Garros after Sinner upset No .
6 Alexander Zverev in four sets Saturday in another fourth-round match .
Unseeded Iga Swiatek pulled off the biggest upset of the day with a 6-1 , 6-2 win over top-seed Simona Halep .
Swiatek needed just 68 minutes to dispatch of the world 's No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` She played really well , '' Halep told reporters .
`` It was her match today .
I could have done something different .
...
But that 's all I had today .
She was really dominating the match . ''
Swiatek had two aces , 12 winners and 15 unforced errors in her win over Halep .
Halep had 30 winners , but posted 20 unforced errors in the loss .
Nadal dispatched of Korda 6-1 , 6-1 , 6-2 in his one-hour , 55-minute match .
The Spaniard had one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points , fired 15 winners and had 20 unforced errors .
Korda did not have an ace and won one of six break points .
He also had 21 winners and 48 errors .
Sinner beat Zverev 6-3 , 6-3 , 4-6 , 6-3 in his fourth-round match on the men 's circuit .
No .
3 Dominic Thiem and No .
12 Diego Schwartzman had their Saturday fourth-round matches interrupted by rain .
No .
3 Elina Svitolina advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-1 , 6-3 win over Caroline Garcia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Krejcikova in straight sets to move on to the quarterfinals .
Unseeded Martina Trevisan also pulled off a big upset with a straight-sets win over No .
5 Kiki Bertens .
The Italian won six of 13 break points , fired 22 winners and had 27 unforced errors in the victory .
Bertens had 32 unforced errors and 13 winners .
Trevisan will battle Swiatek in the quarterfinals on Tuesday at Roland Garros .
Svitolina will face Podoroska in another quarterfinal Tuesday in Paris .

Simona Halep (pictured) fell in straight sets to unseeded Iga Swiatek in the fourth round of the 2020 French Open on Sunday in Paris. Photo by Julien De Rosa/EPA-EFE
Oct. 4 (UPI) -- No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal beat American Sebastian Korda in straight sets on Sunday in Paris to move on to the quarterfinals of the 2020 French Open. The 12-time French Open champion will face unseeded Jannik Sinner Tuesday at Roland Garros after Sinner upset No. 6 Alexander Zverev in four sets Saturday in another fourth-round match. Advertisement
Unseeded Iga Swiatek pulled off the biggest upset of the day with a 6-1, 6-2 win over top-seed Simona Halep. Swiatek needed just 68 minutes to dispatch of the world's No. 2 ranked women's player.
"She played really well," Halep told reporters. "It was her match today. I could have done something different. ... But that's all I had today. She was really dominating the match."
Swiatek had two aces, 12 winners and 15 unforced errors in her win over Halep. Halep had 30 winners, but posted 20 unforced errors in the loss.
Nadal dispatched of Korda 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 in his one-hour, 55-minute match. The Spaniard had one ace, won eight of 11 break points, fired 15 winners and had 20 unforced errors.
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Korda did not have an ace and won one of six break points. He also had 21 winners and 48 errors.
Sinner beat Zverev 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in his fourth-round match on the men's circuit. No. 3 Dominic Thiem and No. 12 Diego Schwartzman had their Saturday fourth-round matches interrupted by rain.
No. 3 Elina Svitolina advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Caroline Garcia. Argentina's Nadia Podoroska also bounced Barbora Krejcikova in straight sets to move on to the quarterfinals.
Unseeded Martina Trevisan also pulled off a big upset with a straight-sets win over No. 5 Kiki Bertens. The Italian won six of 13 break points, fired 22 winners and had 27 unforced errors in the victory. Bertens had 32 unforced errors and 13 winners.
Trevisan will battle Swiatek in the quarterfinals on Tuesday at Roland Garros. Svitolina will face Podoroska in another quarterfinal Tuesday in Paris.


upi--2020-10-04--Reports: Cineworld, Regal movie theaters to close

Oct. 4 ( UPI ) -- Hundreds of Cineworld and Regal Cinema movies theaters are expected to close indefinitely this @ @ @ @ @ United States , Britain and Ireland will be shuttered due to the lack of new @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
The news was reported by The Sunday Times , The Hollywood Reporter @ @ @ @ @ but Cineworld has not officially announced it .
The decision reportedly was made after the @ @ @ @ @ Die , the next James Bond adventure , was postponed from November to April .
@ @ @ @ @ British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden to explain the industry is @ @ @ @ @ studios are not providing new content to attract moviegoers .
It is unclear how long @ @ @ @ @ thousands of jobs , will last .
Regal is the second largest theater chain in @ @ @ @ @ .
Cineworld is the biggest cinema operator in Britain .

Hundreds of Cineworld and Regal Cinema movies theaters are expected to close indefinitely this week. Image courtesy of Pixabay
Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Hundreds of Cineworld and Regal Cinema movies theaters are expected to close indefinitely this week. Venues in the United States, Britain and Ireland will be shuttered due to the lack of new films being released amid the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement
The news was reported by The Sunday Times, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline and Variety, but Cineworld has not officially announced it.
The decision reportedly was made after the release of No Time to Die, the next James Bond adventure, was postponed from November to April.
Cineworld is reaching out to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden to explain the industry is "unviable" since film studios are not providing new content to attract moviegoers.
It is unclear how long the closure, which impacts thousands of jobs, will last.
Regal is the second largest theater chain in the United States after AMC.
Cineworld is the biggest cinema operator in Britain.


upi--2020-10-04--'SNL' lampoons presidential debate, mocks Trump illness in Season 46 opener

Oct. 4 ( UPI ) -- Season 46 of Saturday Night Live kicked off with a parody of last week 's chaotic debate between U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic contender Joe Biden .
The sketch showed Trump constantly interrupting Biden and Wallace , Biden struggling to control his anger and focus , and Wallace unsuccessfully trying to regain control .
Finally , Biden pulls out a remote control device and `` pauses '' Trump so he can speak directly to the camera , alluding to the fact Trump is in the hospital with COVID-19 after teasing Biden about always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or spreading the coronavirus .
`` You can trust me because I believe in science and karma , '' Biden said .
`` Now just imagine if science and karma could somehow team up to send us all a message about how dangerous this virus could be . ''
Turning to look at Trump , Biden continues : `` I 'm not saying I want it to happen , but just imagine if it did .
So , this November , please get on the Biden train , which is literally a commuter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all make America not actively on fire again . ''
Former SNL player and guest host Chris Rock also joked about Trump 's illness in his monologue .
`` President Trump is in the hospital from COVID and I just want to say my heart goes out to COVID , '' Rock said , as a studio audience of First Responders laughed .
He paid Trump a compliment , though , too .
`` Trump has the most energy of any 75-year-old person on the face of the Earth .
Even Mick Jagger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ! '
'' Rock quipped .
Trump 's current medical status also came up several times when Colin Jost and Michael Che hosted the `` Weekend Update '' segment .
`` It 's a bad sign for America that when Trump said he tested positive for a virus , 60 percent of people were like , 'Prove it , ' '' Jost said .
`` It 's been very weird to see all these people who clearly hate Trump come out and say , 'We wish him well . '
I think a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their first wish came true . ''
`` While in the hospital , the president is n't allowed to see any guests , but he is expected to be visited by three ghosts , '' Che added .
`` Look , this is weird .
There are a lot of people on both sides saying there is nothing funny about Trump being hospitalized with coronavirus , even though he mocked the safety precautions for the coronavirus and those people are , obviously , wrong , '' Che said .
`` There 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a moral standpoint , but , mathematically , if you were constructing a joke , this is all the ingredients you need . ''

U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden (R), with Chris Wallace moderating, face off in their first debate last Tuesday. A parody of the event aired on this weekend's edition of "Saturday Night Live." Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Season 46 of Saturday Night Live kicked off with a parody of last week's chaotic debate between U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic contender Joe Biden. Alec Baldwin played Trump, Jim Carrey portrayed Biden and Beck Bennett played Fox News anchor Chris Wallace, the debate's moderator. Advertisement
The sketch showed Trump constantly interrupting Biden and Wallace, Biden struggling to control his anger and focus, and Wallace unsuccessfully trying to regain control.
Finally, Biden pulls out a remote control device and "pauses" Trump so he can speak directly to the camera, alluding to the fact Trump is in the hospital with COVID-19 after teasing Biden about always wearing a face mask to avoid catching or spreading the coronavirus.
"You can trust me because I believe in science and karma," Biden said. "Now just imagine if science and karma could somehow team up to send us all a message about how dangerous this virus could be."
Turning to look at Trump, Biden continues: "I'm not saying I want it to happen, but just imagine if it did. So, this November, please get on the Biden train, which is literally a commuter train to Delaware, and we can all make America not actively on fire again."
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Former SNL player and guest host Chris Rock also joked about Trump's illness in his monologue.
"President Trump is in the hospital from COVID and I just want to say my heart goes out to COVID," Rock said, as a studio audience of First Responders laughed.
He paid Trump a compliment, though, too.
"Trump has the most energy of any 75-year-old person on the face of the Earth. Even Mick Jagger's like, 'Slow down, Don!'" Rock quipped.
Trump's current medical status also came up several times when Colin Jost and Michael Che hosted the "Weekend Update" segment.
"It's a bad sign for America that when Trump said he tested positive for a virus, 60 percent of people were like, 'Prove it,'" Jost said.
"It's been very weird to see all these people who clearly hate Trump come out and say, 'We wish him well.' I think a lot of them are just guilty that their first wish came true."
"While in the hospital, the president isn't allowed to see any guests, but he is expected to be visited by three ghosts," Che added.
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"Look, this is weird. There are a lot of people on both sides saying there is nothing funny about Trump being hospitalized with coronavirus, even though he mocked the safety precautions for the coronavirus and those people are, obviously, wrong," Che said. "There's a lot funny about this -- maybe not from a moral standpoint, but, mathematically, if you were constructing a joke, this is all the ingredients you need."


upi--2020-10-04--Fantasy football: Kamara, Drake top Week 4 running back rankings

Sept. 29 ( UPI ) -- Alvin Kamara , Kenyan Drake , Ezekiel Elliott , Dalvin Cook and Aaron Jones top my Week 4 fantasy football running back rankings for 2020 .
Nick Chubb , Clyde Edwards-Helaire , Austin Ekeler , Josh Jacobs and Jonathan Taylor round out my Top 10 options for Week 4 .
James Robinson and Devin Singletary also are among my other favorite starts this week at the running back position .
Tarik Cohen should be removed from all lineups after he sustained a season-ending injury in Week 3 .
Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further notice after their Week 4 game was postponed .
Fantasy football team owners also should monitor the health of other running backs who were banged up in Week 3 so you can find replacement options as early as possible .
Those injuries have led to increased relevance for former backup ball carriers who could help your team immediately .
If you had one of the injured running backs and need a replacement , try to target a player who will get a lot of carriers , targets in the passing game or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Week 4 matchup .
Check out my weekly waiver wire article for options of players to add at each position .
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has been the best fantasy football running back through three weeks .
Kamara already has five touchdowns this season , but has yet to eclipse 100 rushing yards in a game .
The Saints running back has used his dynamic skill set to surpass 150 yards from scrimmage in each of his last two games .
I expect Kamara to have another impressive performance when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Week 4 .
The Lions have allowed the third-most rushing yards and sixth-most fantasy points to running backs this season .
Kamara should lead your team to victory once again this week with an elite performance .
Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake has yet to live up to his draft positions this season , but I expect his breakout game in Week 4 .
The Cardinals face the Carolina Panthers this week , a defense that has allowed a league-high seven rushing touchdowns and the second-most fantasy points to running backs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ matchup .
He is my No .
2 option for Week 4 .
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is my No .
10 option this week and is a borderline RB1 in deeper leagues and a great RB2 or flex play in smaller leagues .
Taylor has scored in back-to-back games and I expect another touchdown in Week 4 when the Colts face a Chicago Bears defense that just allowed 5.7 yards per carry in Week 3 to Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley .
James Robinson has been a fantasy football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jaguars Week 4 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals .
Robinson had 102 rushing yards and a score in Week 2 .
He had 129 yards from scrimmage and two scores in Week 3 .
The Jaguars running back is my No .
15 option and a solid RB2 for Week 4 .
The Bengals have allowed the second-most rushing yards to running backs and should allow Robinson to have a solid performance once again in Week 4 .
Keep him in your lineup until he cools off .
Buffalo Bills running back Devin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back for Week 4 .
Singletary has n't done much this season from a fantasy football standpoint , but should post an RB2 performance against a Las Vegas Raiders defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to running backs this season .
The second-year running back is a great RB2 or flex option going forward .

1/3
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) has the most fantasy points among running backs through three weeks of the 2020 NFL season. Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Alvin Kamara, Kenyan Drake, Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook and Aaron Jones top my Week 4 fantasy football running back rankings for 2020. Nick Chubb, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Austin Ekeler, Josh Jacobs and Jonathan Taylor round out my Top 10 options for Week 4. James Robinson and Devin Singletary also are among my other favorite starts this week at the running back position. Advertisement
Tarik Cohen should be removed from all lineups after he sustained a season-ending injury in Week 3. Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans players also should be removed from lineups until further notice after their Week 4 game was postponed.
Fantasy football team owners also should monitor the health of other running backs who were banged up in Week 3 so you can find replacement options as early as possible.
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Those injuries have led to increased relevance for former backup ball carriers who could help your team immediately. If you had one of the injured running backs and need a replacement, try to target a player who will get a lot of carriers, targets in the passing game or goal line work and has a good Week 4 matchup.
Check out my weekly waiver wire article for options of players to add at each position.
TOP SHELF
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has been the best fantasy football running back through three weeks. Kamara already has five touchdowns this season, but has yet to eclipse 100 rushing yards in a game. The Saints running back has used his dynamic skill set to surpass 150 yards from scrimmage in each of his last two games.
I expect Kamara to have another impressive performance when the Saints battle the Detroit Lions in Week 4. The Lions have allowed the third-most rushing yards and sixth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. Kamara should lead your team to victory once again this week with an elite performance.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake has yet to live up to his draft positions this season, but I expect his breakout game in Week 4. The Cardinals face the Carolina Panthers this week, a defense that has allowed a league-high seven rushing touchdowns and the second-most fantasy points to running backs.
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Drake is a high-end RB1 in this matchup. He is my No. 2 option for Week 4.
SNEAKY PLAYS
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is my No. 10 option this week and is a borderline RB1 in deeper leagues and a great RB2 or flex play in smaller leagues.
Taylor has scored in back-to-back games and I expect another touchdown in Week 4 when the Colts face a Chicago Bears defense that just allowed 5.7 yards per carry in Week 3 to Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley.
LONGSHOTS
James Robinson has been a fantasy football star in back-to-back weeks entering the Jacksonville Jaguars Week 4 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Robinson had 102 rushing yards and a score in Week 2. He had 129 yards from scrimmage and two scores in Week 3.
The Jaguars running back is my No. 15 option and a solid RB2 for Week 4. The Bengals have allowed the second-most rushing yards to running backs and should allow Robinson to have a solid performance once again in Week 4. Keep him in your lineup until he cools off.
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Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary is my No. 18 running back for Week 4.
Singletary hasn't done much this season from a fantasy football standpoint, but should post an RB2 performance against a Las Vegas Raiders defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to running backs this season.
The second-year running back is a great RB2 or flex option going forward.
Week 4 fantasy football running back rankings
1. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints at DET
2. Kenyan Drake, Arizona Cardinals at CAR
3. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys vs. CLE
4. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings at HOU
5. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers vs. ATL
6. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns at DAL
7. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs vs. NE
8. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers at TB
9. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders vs. BUF
10. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts at CHI
11. Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks at MIA
12. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals vs. JAX
13. Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles at SF
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14. Mike Davis, Carolina Panthers vs. ARI
15. James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars at CIN
16. Mark Ingram, Baltimore Ravens at WAS
17. David Johnson, Houston Texans vs. MIN
18. Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills at LV
19. David Montgomery, Chicago Bears vs. IND
20. Jerick McKinnon, San Francisco 49ers vs. PHI
21. Todd Gurley, Atlanta Falcons at GB
22. Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams vs. NYG
23. Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns at DAL
24. Ronald Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. LAC
25. Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins vs. SEA
26. Sony Michel, New England Patriots at KC
27. J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens at WAS
28. Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers at TB
29. James White, New England Patriots at KC
30. Jeff Wilson Jr., San Francisco 49ers vs. PHI
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-10-04--Fantasy football: Tyreek Hill tops Week 4 wide receiver rankings

Sept. 30 ( UPI ) -- Tyreek Hill , Amari Cooper , DeAndre Hopkins , D.K .
Metcalf and Calvin Ridley top my Week 4 fantasy football wide receiver rankings for 2020 .
Adam Thielen , Mike Evans , Allen Robinson , Terry McLaurin and Cooper Kupp round out my Top 10 options for Week 4 .
Odell Beckham Jr , DeVante Parker and Will Fuller also are among my favorite starts this week .
You should target players who have a good chance to score a touchdown and get a lot of looks from their respective quarterbacks when considering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans players should be removed from lineups until further notice after their Week 4 game was postponed .
Check out my weekly waiver wire article for candidates to add to your roster before your Week 4 matchup .
Here are some of my favorite players in this week 's rankings : Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill has had five catches and a touchdown in each of his first three games this season , but has yet to surpass 100 yards in a game .
I expect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the Chiefs face the New England Patriots .
The Patriots have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to wide receivers in 2020 .
Now they 'll have to keep pace with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs speedy pass catchers .
Hill is my No .
1 wide receiver for Week 4 .
Amari Cooper has yet to score a touchdown this season , but has posted at least 80 yards in each of his first three games .
He is also tied for the third-most targets in the NFL with 35 looks this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his end zone debut in Week 4 when the Dallas Cowboys face a Cleveland Browns team that has already allowed five touchdowns to wide receivers in 2020. Cooper is my No .
2 wide receiver for Week 4 .
Odell Beckham Jr. should post WR1 numbers in Week 4 when the Cleveland Browns face the Dallas Cowboys .
The Cowboys have allowed a league-high seven touchdowns and the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season .
Beckham is my No .
14 option for Week 4 .
Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receiver for Week 4 .
The WR2 should have a very productive day against a Seattle Seahawks defense that has allowed a league-high 1,136 yards and the most fantasy points to wide receivers .
The Dolphins should trail in this matchup and be forced to throw to Parker and teammate Preston Williams .
Make sure Parker is in your lineup .
Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller is my No .
27 option for Week 4 .
I expect Fuller to go off in this matchup against the Minnesota Vikings , who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receivers .
Fuller missed the Texans Week 2 loss , but returned with a 54-yard , one-score performance in a Week 3 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers .
I expect another score from Fuller in Week 4 .

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill has scored in three consecutive games and is my No. 1 wide receiver for Week 4. Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Tyreek Hill, Amari Cooper, DeAndre Hopkins, D.K. Metcalf and Calvin Ridley top my Week 4 fantasy football wide receiver rankings for 2020. Adam Thielen, Mike Evans, Allen Robinson, Terry McLaurin and Cooper Kupp round out my Top 10 options for Week 4. Odell Beckham Jr, DeVante Parker and Will Fuller also are among my favorite starts this week. Advertisement
You should target players who have a good chance to score a touchdown and get a lot of looks from their respective quarterbacks when considering who to start at wide receiver.
Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans players should be removed from lineups until further notice after their Week 4 game was postponed.
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Check out my weekly waiver wire article for candidates to add to your roster before your Week 4 matchup.
Here are some of my favorite players in this week's rankings:
TOP SHELF
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill has had five catches and a touchdown in each of his first three games this season, but has yet to surpass 100 yards in a game. I expect the latter streak to end in Week 4 when the Chiefs face the New England Patriots.
The Patriots have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to wide receivers in 2020. Now they'll have to keep pace with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs speedy pass catchers. Hill is my No. 1 wide receiver for Week 4.
Amari Cooper has yet to score a touchdown this season, but has posted at least 80 yards in each of his first three games. He is also tied for the third-most targets in the NFL with 35 looks this season.
I expect Cooper to make his end zone debut in Week 4 when the Dallas Cowboys face a Cleveland Browns team that has already allowed five touchdowns to wide receivers in 2020.
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Cooper is my No. 2 wide receiver for Week 4.
SNEAKY PLAYS
Odell Beckham Jr. should post WR1 numbers in Week 4 when the Cleveland Browns face the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys have allowed a league-high seven touchdowns and the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season.
Beckham is my No. 14 option for Week 4.
LONGSHOTS
Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker is my No. 18 wide receiver for Week 4. The WR2 should have a very productive day against a Seattle Seahawks defense that has allowed a league-high 1,136 yards and the most fantasy points to wide receivers.
The Dolphins should trail in this matchup and be forced to throw to Parker and teammate Preston Williams. Make sure Parker is in your lineup.
Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller is my No. 27 option for Week 4. I expect Fuller to go off in this matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to wide receivers.
Fuller missed the Texans Week 2 loss, but returned with a 54-yard, one-score performance in a Week 3 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. I expect another score from Fuller in Week 4.
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Week 4 fantasy football wide receiver rankings
1. Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs vs. NE
2. Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys vs. CLE
3. DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals at CAR
4. D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks at MIA
5. Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons at GB
6. Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings at HOU
7. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. LAC
8. Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears vs. IND
9. Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team vs. BAL
10. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams vs. NYG
11. Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers vs. ATL
12. Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks at MIA
13. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills at LV
14. Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland Browns at DAL
15. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers at TB
16. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons at GB
17. Marquise Brown, Baltimore Ravens at WAS
18. DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins vs. SEA
19. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys vs. CLE
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20. Kenny Golladay, Detroit Lions vs. NO
21. D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers vs. ARI
22. Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams vs. NYG
23. Darius Slayton, New York Giants at LAR
24. Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys vs. CLE
25. T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts at CHI
26. Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals vs. JAX
27. Will Fuller, Houston Texans vs. MIN
28. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers vs. ATL
29. Julian Edelman, New England Patriots at KC
30. Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons vs. CHI
31. A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals vs. JAX
32. Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns at DAL
33. Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers vs. PHI
34. Robby Anderson, Carolina Panthers vs. ARI
35. Marvin Jones Jr., Detroit Lions vs. NO
36. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings at HOU
37. Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs vs. NE
38. Preston Williams, Miami Dolphins vs. SEA
39. Tre'Quan Smith, New Orleans Saints at DET
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40. Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans vs. MIN
41. Laviska Shenault, Jacksonville Jaguars at CIN
42. N'Keal Harry, New England Patriots at KC
43. Emmanuel Sanders, New Orleans Saints at DET
44. Hunter Renfrow, Las Vegas Raiders vs. BUF
45. Curtis Samuel, Carolina Panthers vs. ARI
46. Anthony Miller, Chicago Bears vs. IND
47. Andy Isabella, Arizona Cardinals at CAR
48. Greg Ward, Philadelphia Eagles at SF
49. Keelan Cole, Jacksonville Jaguars at CIN
50. Scott Miller, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. LAC
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-10-05--Watch: Monique Samuels feels remorse about Candiace Dillard fight

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- Monique Samuels says she `` absolutely '' feels remorse about her fight with her Real Housewives of Potomac co-star Candiace Dillard .
Samuels , 36 , discussed her physical altercation with Dillard , 33 , during Sunday 's episode of Watch What Happens Live .
During a September episode of RHOP , Samuels appeared to put her hands around Dillard 's neck during an argument .
On WWHL , Samuels said it took time for her to process the fight and begin to feel remorseful .
`` At that moment , I was n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` What people need to understand is after the fight ended , I went home and went back to mommy mode .
I have three kids to take care of .
I have a whole husband here .
I have businesses that I was still running , live podcasts I was planning .
I did n't have the luxury of going home , sipping tea with my husband with no other responsibilities . ''
`` My mind had to calm down to the point where I actually could take it all in , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still had n't processed the fight when she met with her other RHOP co-stars to `` apologize for putting them in harm 's way . ''
`` Did the remorse come later ?
Absolutely .
But at that moment , I was being 100 percent real with them , and I did not feel it at that moment , '' she said .
Samuels said she received an e-mail from Dillard 's attorney the same day she started feeling remorse and reached out to a producer to start making amends .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
At that moment , she turned it legal , so I could not speak to her directly at that point anymore , '' she said .
Samuels also said she was truly asleep when Dillard left the lake house .
Dillard addressed the altercation on WWHL in September , saying Samuels `` tried at every turn '' to start the fight .
`` She was waiting for an opportunity , if you ask me , to have her day , and have her moment , and make up for lost time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Housewives of Potomac is in its fifth season on Bravo .
The series co-stars Gizelle Bryant , Ashley Darby , Robyn Dixon , Karen Huger and Wendy Osefo .

Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Monique Samuels says she "absolutely" feels remorse about her fight with her Real Housewives of Potomac co-star Candiace Dillard.
Samuels, 36, discussed her physical altercation with Dillard, 33, during Sunday's episode of Watch What Happens Live.
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During a September episode of RHOP, Samuels appeared to put her hands around Dillard's neck during an argument. On WWHL, Samuels said it took time for her to process the fight and begin to feel remorseful.
"At that moment, I wasn't remorseful," the star said. "What people need to understand is after the fight ended, I went home and went back to mommy mode. I have three kids to take care of. I have a whole husband here. I have businesses that I was still running, live podcasts I was planning. I didn't have the luxury of going home, sipping tea with my husband with no other responsibilities."
"My mind had to calm down to the point where I actually could take it all in," she added.
Samuels said she still hadn't processed the fight when she met with her other RHOP co-stars to "apologize for putting them in harm's way."
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"Did the remorse come later? Absolutely. But at that moment, I was being 100 percent real with them, and I did not feel it at that moment," she said.
Samuels said she received an e-mail from Dillard's attorney the same day she started feeling remorse and reached out to a producer to start making amends.
"I had to lawyer up because she lawyered up. At that moment, she turned it legal, so I could not speak to her directly at that point anymore," she said.
Samuels also said she was truly asleep when Dillard left the lake house.
Dillard addressed the altercation on WWHL in September, saying Samuels "tried at every turn" to start the fight.
"She was waiting for an opportunity, if you ask me, to have her day, and have her moment, and make up for lost time," Dillard said.
The Real Housewives of Potomac is in its fifth season on Bravo. The series co-stars Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Darby, Robyn Dixon, Karen Huger and Wendy Osefo.


upi--2020-10-05--Preakness, Arc results leave questions for rest of horse racing season

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- A fabulous , if somewhat chaotic , weekend of horse racing leaves lots of questions about the rest of the season , including whether Preakness Stakes-winning filly Swiss Skydiver might tackle the Breeders ' Cup Classic in an effort to land Horse of the Year honors .
There 's also the issue of the next stop for some of the best Irish horses , forced to drop out of Sunday 's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe program because of an inadvertent contamination of their feed with a banned substance .
Perhaps the best of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been directed to the Breeders ' Cup .
Not at issue were a slew of Breeders ' Cup berths decided by the weekend 's `` Win and You 're In '' races .
On the international front , Verry Elleegant won again in Australia .
Gran Alegria is turning into quite the sprinter on the Japanese turf , and in a hurry , too .
See why in the international section .
Buckle up , strap it down and let 's get to it .
Swiss Skydiver came out of her impressive upset @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Preakness Stakes in good form and the question now for her connections is whether to go on to the Breeders ' Cup Distaff or try the boys , including Authentic , again in the Classic .
Trainer Kenny McPeek could make a case for either race after the Daredevil filly , under a brilliant ride by Robby Albarado , ran the second-fastest Preakness in the history of the race -- slower only than Secretariat .
`` I like the mile and a quarter of the Classic , '' McPeek said Sunday morning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is probably the wiser move .
But the farther she goes the better .
We can sit on it .
We wo n't make a rash decision . ''
Another consideration could factor into that decision -- the chance Swiss Skydiver could be part of the Horse of the Year deliberations .
`` You have to make a case for her .
She 's entertained coast to coast , north , south , east , west , '' McPeek said .
`` She 's amazing .
She 's not even tired today .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Authentic 's trainer , Bob Baffert , lamented his colt 's inability to get by Swiss Skydiver during a long stretch duel .
But he said Authentic is still pointed toward the Breeders ' Cup Classic on Nov. 7 at Churchill Downs , along with two of his older horses , Maximum Security and Improbable .
`` She just was game , '' Baffert said of Swiss Skydiver .
`` It was one of those things where I said , 'All right , come on , get by her . '
They were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was , 'Wow , did that really just happen ? '
But he showed up and he ran . ''
Friday at Pimlico , Harpers First Ride dueled with the favorite , Owendale , through most of the $ 250,000 Grade III Pimlico Special , then kicked clear in deep stretch to win by 2 length over that stubborn foe .
Cordmaker was 1/2 length farther back in third .
Harpers First Ride , a 4-year-old Paynter gelding , ran 1 3/16 miles on a fast track in 1:54.97 with Angel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from his last six starts .
Diamond Oops looked well beaten approaching the sixteenth pole in Friday 's $ 200,000 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes with 50-1 shot Empire of Gold clinging to a sizeable lead .
But the leader shortened stride just as Florent Geroux had Diamond Oops in full stride and the latter roared on by to win by 3/4 length .
Empire of Gold held on for place , 2 lengths in front of Echo Town .
Diamond Oops , a 5-year-old Lookin at Lucky gelding , ran 6 furlongs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backing up his last-out victory in the Grade II Twin Spires Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs .
`` It 's remarkable , '' Geroux said .
`` He 's a tremendous horse and he can even run longer if you ask him .
He runs on any surface .
It 's rare to run as good as he did last time on the turf at Churchill and now winning a major prep for the Breeders ' Cup Sprint . ''
The Phoenix was a `` Win and You 're In '' for that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Complexity tracked pacesetting Endorsed through the early furlongs of the $ 150,000 Grade II Kelso Handicap , shot by and went on to win by 2 1/4 lengths .
Code of Honor rallied to take second with Stan the Man 7 1/4 lengths farther back in third .
Endorsed faded to finish fourth and last .
Complexity , a 4-year-old colt by Maclean 's Music , got the one-turn mile on a fast track in 1:33.82 with Jose Ortiz aboard .
Laki , Eastern Bay and Nitrous all waited behind the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ III Frank De Francis Memorial Dash at Pimlico , then came wide to fight it out down the stretch .
Laki got there first by a nose over Eastern Bay and another nose from Nitrous with pacesetter Krsto Skye fading to fourth .
Laki , a 7-year-old gelding by Cuba , ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.70 with Horacio Karamanos at the controls .
Valiance came with a late run in Sunday 's $ 400,000 Grade I Spinster Stakes at Keeneland , got by the early leaders and went on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Candy .
The favorite , Kentucky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil , led most of the way but then faded to finish third , another 2 1/2 lengths in arrears .
Valiance , a 4-year-old Tapit filly , ran 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:49.76 for jockey Luis Saez , earning a `` Win and You 're In '' berth in the Longines Breeders ' Cup Distaff over the same track Nov. 7 .
It was her third straight win and sixth from eight career efforts , but her first victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was kind of the one thing missing on her resume was that graded stakes win , '' trainer Todd Pletcher said .
Asked about running back in the Distaff , he said , `` That would be the hope .
... We 'll see how she comes out of it . ''
Sunday 's $ 150,000 Grade II Beldame at Belmont Park was an oddly run affair .
Letruska sprinted out to a huge early lead , then hit the wall after a mile and handed over to Horologist .
That one then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Honor , winning by 3 lengths .
The favorite , Dunbar Road , ran evenly but had no late kick and finished third , beating only Letruska .
Horologist , a 4-year-old daughter of Gemologist , ran 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:49.01 with Junior Alvarado riding .
Trainer Bill Mott said Horologist wo n't be taking on Breeders ' Cup assignment as her owners decided not to pay the supplemental entry fee .
Miss Marissa drafted in behind the early speed in Saturday 's $ 350,000 Grade II @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , quickly took the lead in the lane and opened a daylight advantage , and then just held on to win by a neck over the rapidly closing favorite , Bonny South .
Hopeful Growth , always in the mix , finished third .
Miss Marissa , a daughter of He 's Had Enough , finished 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:48.08 with Daniel Centeno in the irons .
It was her third straight win but first in stakes company .
When Channel Maker went through a rough patch early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether Father Time had caught up with the 6-year-old English Channel gelding .
But with Saturday 's front-running , 2 1/4-lengths victory in the $ 250,000 Grade I Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont , following on a win in the Grade I Sword Dancer at Saratoga in his previous start , doubts are dispelled .
The Turf Classic was simple : Take the lead and hold onto it .
Never threatened , Channel Maker crossed the finish line well in hand with Laccario second , Sadler 's Joy third and the favorite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With Manny Franco riding for trainer Bill Mott , Channel Maker covered 1 1/2 miles on firm going in 2:25.99 .
`` It does n't always work out as planned but it did today and it did last time , '' Mott said .
`` He had a little pressure early from Cross Border , but he was able to sneak away from him .
I think longevity is a true test of a good horse . ''
About moving along to the Longines Breeders ' Cup Turf , Mott said , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
One race later on the Belmont program , Gufo rallied from mid-field to win the $ 250,000 Grade I Belmont Derby Invitational by 1 length over No Word , avenging a narrow loss in the Saratoga Derby Invitational and earning a `` Win and You 're In '' berth for the Longines Breeders ' Cup Turf .
Mo Ready , the early leader , held on for show money .
Domestic Spending , winner of the Saratoga race , was a race-day scratch .
Gufo , a Declaration of War colt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1/4 miles on firm turf in 2:02.25 with Junior Alvarado riding .
Clement said he 's not sure Gufo will take on the Breeders ' Cup challenge , mentioning the Grade I Hollywood Derby on Nov. 28 as an option .
Factor This took a quick lead in Saturday 's $ 250,000 Grade II Dinner Party Stakes at Pimlico and was never challenged , winning by 2 3/4 lengths over Somelikeithotbrown , who had some traffic trouble in the first turn .
Hembree was third .
Factor This , a 5-year-old entire son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles on yielding turf in 1:46.17 for jockey Florent Geroux .
Trained by Brad Cox , Factor This was coming back from a narrow loss to Digital Age in the Grade I Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on Sept. 5 .
Juliet Foxtrot raced right back of the early leader in Saturday 's $ 150,000 Grade III Gallorette at Pimlico , assumed command when asked by rider Florent Geroux and quickly put daylight between herself and five rivals .
Varenka put in a late bid but fell 1 length short of catching Juliet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on yielding turf in 1:49.24 .
Brad Cox trains the winner , a 5-year-old , British-bred Juddmonte Farms homebred daughter of Dansili .
She won her first three U.S. starts in the spring and summer of 2019 but had been 0-for-6 since then .
Uni , after struggling in her first two starts as a 6-year-old , put the pieces back together Saturday in the $ 350,000 Grade I First Lady Stakes at Keeneland .
After racing off the pace , the More Than Ready mare was more than ready when called upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to defeat Beau Recall by 1 length .
The even-money favorite , Newspaperofrecord , was unable to grab her accustomed early lead and finished third , a nose behind Beau Recall .
Uni ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:34.90 and earned a spot in the FanDuel Breeders ' Cup Mile on Nov. 7 over the same course .
She won both the First Lady and the Breeders ' Cup Mile last year .
`` I was so stressed out , '' said Sol Kumin , part owner of Uni .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ here , you could n't run her back in the Breeders ' Cup after the year she had .
Now you run her back , same track , four weeks and you feel like she might be back .
`` Her last race for us will be the Breeders ' Cup against the boys and if she is able to do it again , it would be Hall of Fame good . ''
On the same Keeneland card , Ivar rallied from far back to win the $ 750,000 Grade I Shadwell Turf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raging Bull .
Without Parole was third , early leader Casa Creed finished fourth and the favorite , Analyze It , never fired , reporting next-last of nine .
Halladay , who would have been among the favorites , was a late scratch .
Ivar , a Brazilian-bred , was making his third U.S. start after shipping up from Argenina , where he was 3-for-3 with two of the wins in Group 1 races .
Ivar , a 4-year-old son of Agnes Gold , finished in 1:33.99 with Joe Talamo up for trainer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third in the Tourist Mile at Kentucky Downs in his previous start and appears to be a serious force in this division .
The Shadwell Turf Mile was a `` Win and You 're In '' for the Breeders ' Cup Turf Mile .
`` You know how hard it is to win a Grade I , especially here at Keeneland .
We need to celebrate , '' Lobo said .
`` We were very worried about the ( No .
11 ) post position but his style , if you see his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from off the pace -- way off the pace .
`` Today , it worked very well .
I was very concerned because of the first turn .
Joe rode him 100 percent magnificent . ''
At Sana Anita , Mo Forza came four-wide into the stretch in Saturday 's $ 200,000 Grade II City of Hope Mile and outfinished Sharp Samurai , winning by 1 3/4 lengths over that rival .
Bob and Jackie was third after stalking a sharp early pace .
Mo Forza , a 4-year-old Uncle Mo colt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1:32.09 with Flavien Prat in the irons for trainer Peter Miller .
Mo Forza has won six of his last seven starts , all graded stakes .
His only defeat during that streak came in his only start outside California -- the Grade I Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational at Gulfstream Park , where he finished ninth when asked to go 1 3/16 miles and raced without Lasix .
`` That 's him , '' Miller assistant Ruben Alvarado said .
`` He relaxes early and then you saw the way he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we 're looking forward to the Breeders ' Cup . ''
Saturday at Woodbine , Proven Strategies utilized the most proven of all -- an uncontested lead -- to win the $ 100,000 ( Canadian ) Toronto Cup for 3-year-olds by 1 3/4 lengths over Lucky Curlin .
The odds-on favorite , Shirl 's Speight , was a nose farther back in third .
Proven Strategies , a Sky Mesa colt , finished the 1 mile on firm turf in 1:33.78 with Justin Stein up .
Sunday 's $ 250,000 Belmont Turf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affair and played out that way with Wet Your Whistle taking the early advantage and leading them home .
Chewing Gum was second , 3 1/4 lengths back and a nose in front of the favorite , Archidust .
Wet Your Whistle , a 5-year-old Stroll gelding , finished 6 furlongs on firm turf in 1:07.87 under Jose Ortiz .
He was coming off a sixth-place finish in the Laurel Dash .
Asked about the Breeders ' Cup Turf Sprint for Wet Your Whistle , trainer Michael Trombetta said , `` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each other and all beat each other here and there .
If you 're going to take a chance , these are the kind of horses to do it with . ''
Leinster pressed the pace in Saturday 's $ 150,000 Grade II Woodford Stakes at Keeneland , rallied to a narrow lead in the stretch and fended off the late run of Extravagant Kid to win by 1/2 length .
The early leader , Just Might , finished third .
Leinster , a 5-year-old son of Majestic Warrior , finished 5 1/2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jockey Luis Saez .
He was second in this race last year in preparation for the Breeders ' Cup Turf Sprint , where he finished seventh .
This year 's Breeders ' Cup will be run at Keeneland , where he now has three wins and a second from four starts .
`` We had a little setback , '' said Leinster 's trainer , Rusty Arnold .
`` He had a foot problem .
We actually were going to run him at Kentucky Downs .
We did n't get to run .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stayed right here on his home track .
He got to work on this turf course a couple of times .
I think that 's a big edge .
Worked out good . ''
Inthemidstofbiz , a $ 20,000 claim at Keenland 's 2019 fall meet , completed a climb up the ranks to win Saturday 's $ 200,000 Grade II Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes over the same track , earning a `` Win and You 're In '' spot in the Breeders ' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint .
With Martin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fed Biz filly came to challenge the pacesetting duo halfway through the 6-furlong race , quickly put them away and drew off to win by 3 lengths .
Sneaking Out and Palace Avenger completed the trifecta .
Inthemidstofbiz finished in 1:09.84 , winning her third straight race .
`` We got lucky today , '' sid Inthemidsofbiz 's trainer , Cipriano Contreras .
`` She 's getting better and better .
We claimed this filly and ran her for $ 16,000 at Oaklawn .
She started running better , and we took a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As previewed here , Frank 's Rockette looked on paper to be one of the weekend 's best bets and the 3-year-old Into Mischief mare validated that in Saturday 's $ 150,000 Grade II Gallant Bloom Handicap .
Facing older rivals , Frank 's Rockette tracked the early pace for a bit , then downshifted and ran away from her rivals , winning by 7 1/4 lengths as the odds-on favorite .
Honor Way and Royal Charlotte were second and third as the winner finished 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.12 with Junior Alvarado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fourth straight win , fifth from her last six starts and kept alive her record of never missing the exacta in 10 starts .
Wicked Whisper stalked the pace in Saturday 's $ 150,000 Grade III Miss Preakness Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Pimlico , then closed sharply through the final furlong to reel in Ai n't No Elmers and win by 1 length .
Sound Machine was third and the odds-on favorite , Mundaye Call , never figured in the running and finished fourth .
Wicked Whisper , a daughter of Liam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fast track in 1:10.36 with Joe Bravo in the irons .
She was a close second in her last start , the Grade III Charles Town Oaks .
At Woodbine on Saturday , Boardroom raced four-wide the whole 7 furlongs of the $ 100,000 ( Canadian ) Duchess Stakes for 3-year-old fillies , rallied by the leaders heading for home and won by 3/4 length over Our Secret Agent .
Boardroom , a Commissioner filly from the Rahy mare Money Madness , ran 7 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:21.52 with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quality improved to 2-for-2 with a front-running , 3 1/4-lengths victory in Saturday 's $ 400,000 Grade I Claiborne Breeders ' Futurity at Keeneland .
Two long shots , Keepmeinmind and Super Stock , were second and third , respectively .
Essential Quality , a Godolphin homebred son of Tapit with Luis Saez up , reported in 1:44.37 for 1 1/16 miles on a fast track .
He won by 4 lengths at first asking Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs .
Saturday 's race earned a `` Win and You 're In '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Juvenile Turf .
`` He showed us from Day 1 that he 's special , very talented , '' said Essential Quality 's trainer , Brad Cox .
`` He 's a very green horse .
That was my concern today -- could he put it all together ?
And he did .
He pulled up a bit on the backside .
He 's got some learning to do .
If he can figure it out , he 's a serious animal . ''
Some expensive colts made up the bottom three in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 340,000 ) was seventh , King Fury ( $ 950,000 ) was eighth and Notary ( $ 185,000 ) was ninth and last .
At Belmont Park on Friday , Hold the Salsa rallied outside the front-running duo a furlong out in the $ 100,000 Bertram Bongard Stakes for New York-breds and edged away to win by 1 3/4 lengths .
Lookin for Trouble was second and Brooklyn Strong closed late to finish third .
Hold the Salsa , a Hold Me Back colt bred , owned and trained by Richard Lugovich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jockey Junior Alvarado .
Fire at Will led all the way in Saturday 's $ 150,000 Grade II Pilgrim at Belmont Park and won by 2 lengths over the odds-on favorite , Public Sector .
Step Dancer was 2 more lengths back in third .
Fire at Will , a Declaration of War colt from the Kitten 's Joy mare Flirt , ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:43.46 with Kendrick Carmouche riding for trainer Mike Maker .
Fire at Will won the With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga in his previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressed the pace in Saturday 's $ 150,000 Laurel Futurity at Pimlico , got by the early leader to open a daylight advantage in the lane , then held off a late bid from French import Wootton Asset by just a nose .
Kidnapped was third .
Catman , a Kitten 's Joy colt trained by Mike Maker , ran 1 1/16 miles on yielding turf in 1:50.51 .
Daniel Centeno had the mount .
Sunday at Keeneland , Mutasaabeq raced last of 11 early in the $ 200,000 Grade II Bourbon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late , winning by 2 1/4 lengths .
Abarta was second and Nathan Detroit third , all with late runs from well back .
Mutasaabeq , an Into Mischief colt , ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:43.13 with Luis Saez riding .
The race was a `` Win and You 're In '' for the Breeders ' Cup Juvenile Turf , which trainer Todd Pletcher said is on the agenda .
Bodenheimer ripped out to a big , early lead in Sunday 's $ 150,000 Indian Summer Stakes at Keeneland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cowan ran late to take second , 6 lengths in front of Agog .
Bodenheimer , a Washington-bred colt by Atta Boy Roy , ran 5 1/2 furlongs on firm going in 1:02.70 .
This one was a `` Win and You 're In '' for the Breeders ' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint .
`` I 've never had a 2-year-old that I thought early in the year was good enough , '' winning trainer Valorie Lund said .
`` But when this colt started breezing , I thought , 'He is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where we are going . ''
Santa Anita got in on the juvenile turf action Sunday as Ebeko rallied four-wide and was just up to win the $ 100,000 Zuma Beach Stakes by a nose over Tarantino .
Cotopaxi held a brief lead in the stretch , but finished third .
Ebeko , an Irish-bred colt by Awtaad , ran 1 mile on a firm surface in 1:36.55 .
Ricardo Gonzalez rode for trainer Peter Miller .
At Monmouth Park on Sunday , It Can Be Done led from gate to wire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the $ 155,000 Nownownow Stakes .
At the finish , the Temple City gelding was 2 1/2 lengths in front of the favorite , Mischevious Dream , with No One to Blame just a nose farther out in third .
It Can Be Done , with Jose Ferrer up , ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:37.57 .
Of course , Simply Ravishing and Crazy Beautiful finished 1-2 in Friday 's $ 350,000 Grade I Darley Alcibiades at Keeneland .
Simply Ravishing went right out to the lead and never looked back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barn held second throughout .
Travel Column filled out the trifecta .
Simply Ravishing , a New York-bred daughter of Laoban , ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.58 with Luis Saez riding .
She now is undefeated after three starts .
Crazy Beautiful , by Liam 's Map , was second in the Grade II Pocahontas at Churchill Downs before Friday 's race , which was a `` Win and You 're In '' for the Breeders ' Cup Juvenile Fillies .
`` They are both really special fillies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of hated to run them against each other but it is a race we are obviously fond of and we felt like we had a heck of a chance with both of them in there .
We will probably go to the Breeders ' Cup with both of them . ''
Plum Ali tracked the early speed in Sunday 's $ 150,000 Grade II Miss Grillo at Belmont Park , shot by those and went on to win by 2 1/4 lengths .
Caldee made the early going and finished second , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Large .
Plum Ali , a First Samurai filly , ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:42.03 with Jose Ortiz aboard .
Winning trainer Christophe Clement said of a potential start in the Breeders ' Cup , `` Just like anything else , I 'll only go to the Breeders ' Cup if she 's training great and doing great . ''
At Santa Anita on Sunday , Madone started far back in a nine-horse field in the $ 100,000 Surfer Girl Stakes , rallied six-wide down the stretch to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neck over Tetragonal .
It was another 3 1/2 lengths to Pizzaz in third .
Madone , a daughter of Vancouver , finished 1 mile on firm turf in 1:34.83 with Flavien Prat riding .
Fluffy Socks rallied along the rail to win Saturday 's $ 150,000 Selima Stakes at Pimlico , defeating the favorite , Invincible Gal , by 2 1/4 lengths .
Fluffy Socks , a daughter of the British sire Slumber , got 1 1/16 miles on yielding turf in 1:50.74 .
After a decent debut at Saratoga , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trainer Chad Brown .
Around the world , around the clock : The U.S .
Triple Crown ended at Pimlico but the Canadian counterpart is very much alive and with a steady pulse after Mighty Heart won the $ 400,000 Prince of Wales Stakes Thursday at Fort Erie by a convincing 2 1/2 lengths over Clayton .
It was another 5 1/4 lengths back to Dotted Line in third .
Mighty Heart , a Dramedy colt , won the first leg of the series , the storied Queen 's Plate , at Woodbine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Breeders ' Stakes , back at Woodbine but on the turf , to sweep the series .
Please see the separate account of the Arc weekend at Longchamp , available at upi.com/topic/horse-racing .
Gran Alegria unleashed an almost unbelievable late run from next-last to win Sunday 's Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse .
Seemingly hopelessly defeated with less than 200 meters to go , the Deep Impact filly nonetheless won by 2 lengths over Danon Smash .
The late run was so dramatic that even the English-language racecaller at Nakayama Racecourse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alegria starts to lengthen but it is too far to catch up , '' he said , immediately adding , `` Here 's Gran Alegria ! ''
`` I ca n't believe how strong she is , '' winning rider Chrisophe Lemaire said of Gran Alegria .
`` She was a little slow to get into the rhythm and we were much further back than expected .
`` But we did not panic if not a little worried that we may not be in time as the pace was fast .
She certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she just carried on while some of the front runners started to weaken . ''
The race is one of two Grade 1 sprints on the Japanese calendar .
Gran Alegria was second in the other , the March 29 Takamatsunomia Kinen at Chukyo .
In that race , she trailed only Mozu Superflare , a Kentucky-bred daughter of Speightstown who reported 10th in the Sprinters Stakes after making the rapid lead .
On Saturday at Chukyo , Café Pharoah , a one-time contender on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 Sirius Stakes .
The Kentucky-bred colt by American Pharoah rallied from the middle of the 16-horse field to win by 3/4 length over the dirt course .
He won his first three starts , including the Hyacinth Stakes in February and the Unicorn Stakes in June , both on the Tokyo Racecourse turf , locking up the top spot in the Kentucky Derby series , then was seventh when contesting the Japan Dirt Derby at Oi on July 8 .
None of the Japanese contenders accepted a bid to Louisville this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two groups of runners merged about 2 furlongs out in Saturday 's Group 1 Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket , and then ran on strongly to win by 1 length from Half Light .
Cloak of Spirits was third .
The favorite , Champers Elysees , running for the first time in the colors of new owner Teruya Yoshida , settled for fourth , beaten 2 1/4 lengths while ending a four-race winning skein .
Nazeef , a 4-year-old filly by Invincible Spirit , earlier in the season won the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Group 1 Qatar Nassau .
Jim Crowley rode for trainer John Gosden and owner Sheik Hamdan Al Maktoum .
Verry Elleegant rallied outside a wall of horses turning into the stretch in Saturday 's Group 1 TAB Turnbull Stakes at Flemington , then got the best of a blanket finish , edging early pace factor Toffee Tongue with Finch third .
Chris Waller trains all three .
Verry Elleegant , a 5-year-old , New Zealand-bred mare , tallied her fifth Group 1 win and avenged a fourth-place finish in the Group 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The rebound was enough to move her right up the odds board for the Caulfield Cup and she also is well-held for the Melbourne Cup itself .
At Royal Randwick , Probabeel emerged from well back of the leaders turning for home in Saturday 's Group 1 TAB Epsom Handicap , dueled briefly with old rival Funstar and then asserted in the final 100 meters to win by 1 length .
Funstar was second , Riodini third and Yulong Prince fourth .
Probabeel , a 4-year-old , New Zealand-bred filly , now has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jaime Richards .
She has got the better of Funstar in four of their seven head-to-head meetings .
Richards said he will have a think about the Cox Plate for Probabeel .
Also on Saturday 's card at Royal Randwick , Montefila edged the favorite , Hungry Heart , in the 1,600-meters Group 1 Darley Flight Stakes and Mirage Dancer got there first in the Group 1 Heineken Metropolitan at 2,400 meters with the favorite , Mugatoo , a neck back in second .
Excellent Proposal made his case for a role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series with an impressive win in Sunday 's Class 2 Chek Lap Kok Handicap at Sha Tin Racecourse .
With Joao Moreira up , the Australian-bred Exceed and Excel gelding ran his record to three wins from four starts .
`` He did n't sort of blow them away today but he certainly did the job , '' winning trainer John Size said .
`` He 's got himself to a rating that 's comfortable to be an aspirant of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series , so I 'm happy with that . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had two winners on the card , so Moreira maintained his six-wins lead in the jockey premiership chase , 22-16 .
Karis Teetan rode one winner and stands third with 12 .

1/3
Valiance wins the Grade I Spinster at Keeneland on Sunday and likely is headed for Breeders' Cup Distaff. Photo courtesy of Keeneland
Oct. 5 (UPI) -- A fabulous, if somewhat chaotic, weekend of horse racing leaves lots of questions about the rest of the season, including whether Preakness Stakes-winning filly Swiss Skydiver might tackle the Breeders' Cup Classic in an effort to land Horse of the Year honors. There's also the issue of the next stop for some of the best Irish horses, forced to drop out of Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe program because of an inadvertent contamination of their feed with a banned substance. Advertisement
Perhaps the best of the lot, Love, already had been directed to the Breeders' Cup.
Not at issue were a slew of Breeders' Cup berths decided by the weekend's "Win and You're In" races.
On the international front, Verry Elleegant won again in Australia. Gran Alegria is turning into quite the sprinter on the Japanese turf, and in a hurry, too. See why in the international section.
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Buckle up, strap it down and let's get to it.
Preakness / Classic
Swiss Skydiver came out of her impressive upset of Kentucky Derby winner Authentic in the Preakness Stakes in good form and the question now for her connections is whether to go on to the Breeders' Cup Distaff or try the boys, including Authentic, again in the Classic.
Trainer Kenny McPeek could make a case for either race after the Daredevil filly, under a brilliant ride by Robby Albarado, ran the second-fastest Preakness in the history of the race -- slower only than Secretariat.
"I like the mile and a quarter of the Classic," McPeek said Sunday morning. "But the Distaff, today, is probably the wiser move. But the farther she goes the better. We can sit on it. We won't make a rash decision."
Another consideration could factor into that decision -- the chance Swiss Skydiver could be part of the Horse of the Year deliberations.
"You have to make a case for her. She's entertained coast to coast, north, south, east, west," McPeek said. "She's amazing. She's not even tired today. She's a throwback horse."
Authentic's trainer, Bob Baffert, lamented his colt's inability to get by Swiss Skydiver during a long stretch duel. But he said Authentic is still pointed toward the Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 7 at Churchill Downs, along with two of his older horses, Maximum Security and Improbable.
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"She just was game," Baffert said of Swiss Skydiver. "It was one of those things where I said, 'All right, come on, get by her.' They were running, they were leaving the field. It was, 'Wow, did that really just happen?' But he showed up and he ran."
Friday at Pimlico, Harpers First Ride dueled with the favorite, Owendale, through most of the $250,000 Grade III Pimlico Special, then kicked clear in deep stretch to win by 2 length over that stubborn foe. Cordmaker was 1/2 length farther back in third.
Harpers First Ride, a 4-year-old Paynter gelding, ran 1 3/16 miles on a fast track in 1:54.97 with Angel Cruz up, scoring his fourth win from his last six starts.
Sprint / Dirt Mile
Diamond Oops looked well beaten approaching the sixteenth pole in Friday's $200,000 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes with 50-1 shot Empire of Gold clinging to a sizeable lead.
But the leader shortened stride just as Florent Geroux had Diamond Oops in full stride and the latter roared on by to win by 3/4 length. Empire of Gold held on for place, 2 lengths in front of Echo Town.
Diamond Oops, a 5-year-old Lookin at Lucky gelding, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.24, backing up his last-out victory in the Grade II Twin Spires Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs.
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"It's remarkable," Geroux said. "He's a tremendous horse and he can even run longer if you ask him. He runs on any surface. It's rare to run as good as he did last time on the turf at Churchill and now winning a major prep for the Breeders' Cup Sprint." The Phoenix was a "Win and You're In" for that race.
At Belmont Park on Saturday, Complexity tracked pacesetting Endorsed through the early furlongs of the $150,000 Grade II Kelso Handicap, shot by and went on to win by 2 1/4 lengths.
Code of Honor rallied to take second with Stan the Man 7 1/4 lengths farther back in third. Endorsed faded to finish fourth and last. Complexity, a 4-year-old colt by Maclean's Music, got the one-turn mile on a fast track in 1:33.82 with Jose Ortiz aboard.
Laki, Eastern Bay and Nitrous all waited behind the early speed in Saturday's $200,000 Grade III Frank De Francis Memorial Dash at Pimlico, then came wide to fight it out down the stretch.
Laki got there first by a nose over Eastern Bay and another nose from Nitrous with pacesetter Krsto Skye fading to fourth. Laki, a 7-year-old gelding by Cuba, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.70 with Horacio Karamanos at the controls.
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Distaff
Valiance came with a late run in Sunday's $400,000 Grade I Spinster Stakes at Keeneland, got by the early leaders and went on to win by 3/4 length over Ollie's Candy.
The favorite, Kentucky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil, led most of the way but then faded to finish third, another 2 1/2 lengths in arrears.
Valiance, a 4-year-old Tapit filly, ran 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:49.76 for jockey Luis Saez, earning a "Win and You're In" berth in the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff over the same track Nov. 7. It was her third straight win and sixth from eight career efforts, but her first victory in a graded stakes.
"That was kind of the one thing missing on her resume was that graded stakes win," trainer Todd Pletcher said. Asked about running back in the Distaff, he said, "That would be the hope. ... We'll see how she comes out of it."
Sunday's $150,000 Grade II Beldame at Belmont Park was an oddly run affair. Letruska sprinted out to a huge early lead, then hit the wall after a mile and handed over to Horologist.
That one then held off the late run of Point of Honor, winning by 3 lengths. The favorite, Dunbar Road, ran evenly but had no late kick and finished third, beating only Letruska.
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Horologist, a 4-year-old daughter of Gemologist, ran 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:49.01 with Junior Alvarado riding. Trainer Bill Mott said Horologist won't be taking on Breeders' Cup assignment as her owners decided not to pay the supplemental entry fee.
Miss Marissa drafted in behind the early speed in Saturday's $350,000 Grade II George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico, quickly took the lead in the lane and opened a daylight advantage, and then just held on to win by a neck over the rapidly closing favorite, Bonny South.
Hopeful Growth, always in the mix, finished third. Miss Marissa, a daughter of He's Had Enough, finished 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:48.08 with Daniel Centeno in the irons. It was her third straight win but first in stakes company.
Turf
When Channel Maker went through a rough patch early this year, there was some question whether Father Time had caught up with the 6-year-old English Channel gelding.
But with Saturday's front-running, 2 1/4-lengths victory in the $250,000 Grade I Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont, following on a win in the Grade I Sword Dancer at Saratoga in his previous start, doubts are dispelled.
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The Turf Classic was simple: Take the lead and hold onto it. Never threatened, Channel Maker crossed the finish line well in hand with Laccario second, Sadler's Joy third and the favorite, Rockemperor, a fading fifth. With Manny Franco riding for trainer Bill Mott, Channel Maker covered 1 1/2 miles on firm going in 2:25.99.
"It doesn't always work out as planned but it did today and it did last time," Mott said. "He had a little pressure early from Cross Border, but he was able to sneak away from him. I think longevity is a true test of a good horse."
About moving along to the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, Mott said, "I think that's a forgone conclusion."
One race later on the Belmont program, Gufo rallied from mid-field to win the $250,000 Grade I Belmont Derby Invitational by 1 length over No Word, avenging a narrow loss in the Saratoga Derby Invitational and earning a "Win and You're In" berth for the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf.
Mo Ready, the early leader, held on for show money. Domestic Spending, winner of the Saratoga race, was a race-day scratch. Gufo, a Declaration of War colt trained by Christophe Clement, ran 1 1/4 miles on firm turf in 2:02.25 with Junior Alvarado riding.
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Clement said he's not sure Gufo will take on the Breeders' Cup challenge, mentioning the Grade I Hollywood Derby on Nov. 28 as an option.
Factor This took a quick lead in Saturday's $250,000 Grade II Dinner Party Stakes at Pimlico and was never challenged, winning by 2 3/4 lengths over Somelikeithotbrown, who had some traffic trouble in the first turn. Hembree was third.
Factor This, a 5-year-old entire son of The Factor, ran 1 1/16 miles on yielding turf in 1:46.17 for jockey Florent Geroux. Trained by Brad Cox, Factor This was coming back from a narrow loss to Digital Age in the Grade I Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on Sept. 5.
Filly & Mare Turf
Juliet Foxtrot raced right back of the early leader in Saturday's $150,000 Grade III Gallorette at Pimlico, assumed command when asked by rider Florent Geroux and quickly put daylight between herself and five rivals.
Varenka put in a late bid but fell 1 length short of catching Juliet Foxtrot, who finished 1 1/16 miles on yielding turf in 1:49.24. Brad Cox trains the winner, a 5-year-old, British-bred Juddmonte Farms homebred daughter of Dansili. She won her first three U.S. starts in the spring and summer of 2019 but had been 0-for-6 since then.
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Turf Mile
Uni, after struggling in her first two starts as a 6-year-old, put the pieces back together Saturday in the $350,000 Grade I First Lady Stakes at Keeneland. After racing off the pace, the More Than Ready mare was more than ready when called upon by jockey Joel Rosario, rallying in time to defeat Beau Recall by 1 length.
The even-money favorite, Newspaperofrecord, was unable to grab her accustomed early lead and finished third, a nose behind Beau Recall. Uni ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:34.90 and earned a spot in the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile on Nov. 7 over the same course. She won both the First Lady and the Breeders' Cup Mile last year.
"I was so stressed out," said Sol Kumin, part owner of Uni. "If she doesn't run well here, you couldn't run her back in the Breeders' Cup after the year she had. Now you run her back, same track, four weeks and you feel like she might be back.
"Her last race for us will be the Breeders' Cup against the boys and if she is able to do it again, it would be Hall of Fame good."
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On the same Keeneland card, Ivar rallied from far back to win the $750,000 Grade I Shadwell Turf Mile by 1 length over fellow closer Raging Bull. Without Parole was third, early leader Casa Creed finished fourth and the favorite, Analyze It, never fired, reporting next-last of nine.
Halladay, who would have been among the favorites, was a late scratch. Ivar, a Brazilian-bred, was making his third U.S. start after shipping up from Argenina, where he was 3-for-3 with two of the wins in Group 1 races.
Ivar, a 4-year-old son of Agnes Gold, finished in 1:33.99 with Joe Talamo up for trainer Paulo Lobo. He finished a close third in the Tourist Mile at Kentucky Downs in his previous start and appears to be a serious force in this division. The Shadwell Turf Mile was a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Turf Mile.
"You know how hard it is to win a Grade I, especially here at Keeneland. We need to celebrate," Lobo said. "We were very worried about the (No. 11) post position but his style, if you see his races in Argentina, he always comes from off the pace -- way off the pace.
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"Today, it worked very well. I was very concerned because of the first turn. Joe rode him 100 percent magnificent."
At Sana Anita, Mo Forza came four-wide into the stretch in Saturday's $200,000 Grade II City of Hope Mile and outfinished Sharp Samurai, winning by 1 3/4 lengths over that rival.
Bob and Jackie was third after stalking a sharp early pace. Mo Forza, a 4-year-old Uncle Mo colt, got the 1 mile on firm going in 1:32.09 with Flavien Prat in the irons for trainer Peter Miller.
Mo Forza has won six of his last seven starts, all graded stakes. His only defeat during that streak came in his only start outside California -- the Grade I Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational at Gulfstream Park, where he finished ninth when asked to go 1 3/16 miles and raced without Lasix.
"That's him," Miller assistant Ruben Alvarado said. "He relaxes early and then you saw the way he finished up ... We're very happy and we're looking forward to the Breeders' Cup."
Saturday at Woodbine, Proven Strategies utilized the most proven of all -- an uncontested lead -- to win the $100,000 (Canadian) Toronto Cup for 3-year-olds by 1 3/4 lengths over Lucky Curlin.
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The odds-on favorite, Shirl's Speight, was a nose farther back in third. Proven Strategies, a Sky Mesa colt, finished the 1 mile on firm turf in 1:33.78 with Justin Stein up.
Turf Sprint
Sunday's $250,000 Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational always looked like a wide-open affair and played out that way with Wet Your Whistle taking the early advantage and leading them home.
Chewing Gum was second, 3 1/4 lengths back and a nose in front of the favorite, Archidust. Wet Your Whistle, a 5-year-old Stroll gelding, finished 6 furlongs on firm turf in 1:07.87 under Jose Ortiz. He was coming off a sixth-place finish in the Laurel Dash.
Asked about the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint for Wet Your Whistle, trainer Michael Trombetta said, "It's a select group that all run against each other and all beat each other here and there. If you're going to take a chance, these are the kind of horses to do it with."
Leinster pressed the pace in Saturday's $150,000 Grade II Woodford Stakes at Keeneland, rallied to a narrow lead in the stretch and fended off the late run of Extravagant Kid to win by 1/2 length.
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The early leader, Just Might, finished third. Leinster, a 5-year-old son of Majestic Warrior, finished 5 1/2 furlongs on good turf in 1:01.59 for jockey Luis Saez. He was second in this race last year in preparation for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, where he finished seventh.
This year's Breeders' Cup will be run at Keeneland, where he now has three wins and a second from four starts.
"We had a little setback," said Leinster's trainer, Rusty Arnold. "He had a foot problem. We actually were going to run him at Kentucky Downs. We didn't get to run. Maybe it's a blessing because he stayed right here on his home track. He got to work on this turf course a couple of times. I think that's a big edge. Worked out good."
Filly & Mare Sprint
Inthemidstofbiz, a $20,000 claim at Keenland's 2019 fall meet, completed a climb up the ranks to win Saturday's $200,000 Grade II Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes over the same track, earning a "Win and You're In" spot in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.
With Martin Garcia in the irons, the 4-year-old Fed Biz filly came to challenge the pacesetting duo halfway through the 6-furlong race, quickly put them away and drew off to win by 3 lengths. Sneaking Out and Palace Avenger completed the trifecta. Inthemidstofbiz finished in 1:09.84, winning her third straight race.
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"We got lucky today," sid Inthemidsofbiz's trainer, Cipriano Contreras. "She's getting better and better. We claimed this filly and ran her for $16,000 at Oaklawn. She started running better, and we took a shot. It worked out."
As previewed here, Frank's Rockette looked on paper to be one of the weekend's best bets and the 3-year-old Into Mischief mare validated that in Saturday's $150,000 Grade II Gallant Bloom Handicap.
Facing older rivals, Frank's Rockette tracked the early pace for a bit, then downshifted and ran away from her rivals, winning by 7 1/4 lengths as the odds-on favorite. Honor Way and Royal Charlotte were second and third as the winner finished 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.12 with Junior Alvarado in the irons.
It was her fourth straight win, fifth from her last six starts and kept alive her record of never missing the exacta in 10 starts.
Wicked Whisper stalked the pace in Saturday's $150,000 Grade III Miss Preakness Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Pimlico, then closed sharply through the final furlong to reel in Ain't No Elmers and win by 1 length.
Sound Machine was third and the odds-on favorite, Mundaye Call, never figured in the running and finished fourth. Wicked Whisper, a daughter of Liam's Map, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.36 with Joe Bravo in the irons. She was a close second in her last start, the Grade III Charles Town Oaks.
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At Woodbine on Saturday, Boardroom raced four-wide the whole 7 furlongs of the $100,000 (Canadian) Duchess Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, rallied by the leaders heading for home and won by 3/4 length over Our Secret Agent.
Boardroom, a Commissioner filly from the Rahy mare Money Madness, ran 7 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:21.52 with Luis Contreras in the irons.
Juvenile
Essential Quality improved to 2-for-2 with a front-running, 3 1/4-lengths victory in Saturday's $400,000 Grade I Claiborne Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland. Two long shots, Keepmeinmind and Super Stock, were second and third, respectively.
Essential Quality, a Godolphin homebred son of Tapit with Luis Saez up, reported in 1:44.37 for 1 1/16 miles on a fast track. He won by 4 lengths at first asking Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs. Saturday's race earned a "Win and You're In" spot in the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.
"He showed us from Day 1 that he's special, very talented," said Essential Quality's trainer, Brad Cox. "He's a very green horse. That was my concern today -- could he put it all together? And he did. He pulled up a bit on the backside. He's got some learning to do. If he can figure it out, he's a serious animal."
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Some expensive colts made up the bottom three in the Breeders' Futurity. Calibrate ($340,000) was seventh, King Fury ($950,000) was eighth and Notary ($185,000) was ninth and last.
At Belmont Park on Friday, Hold the Salsa rallied outside the front-running duo a furlong out in the $100,000 Bertram Bongard Stakes for New York-breds and edged away to win by 1 3/4 lengths.
Lookin for Trouble was second and Brooklyn Strong closed late to finish third. Hold the Salsa, a Hold Me Back colt bred, owned and trained by Richard Lugovich, ran 7 furlongs in 1:24.54 for jockey Junior Alvarado.
Juvenile Turf
Fire at Will led all the way in Saturday's $150,000 Grade II Pilgrim at Belmont Park and won by 2 lengths over the odds-on favorite, Public Sector. Step Dancer was 2 more lengths back in third.
Fire at Will, a Declaration of War colt from the Kitten's Joy mare Flirt, ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:43.46 with Kendrick Carmouche riding for trainer Mike Maker. Fire at Will won the With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga in his previous start and now is 2-for-3.
Catman pressed the pace in Saturday's $150,000 Laurel Futurity at Pimlico, got by the early leader to open a daylight advantage in the lane, then held off a late bid from French import Wootton Asset by just a nose. Kidnapped was third.
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Catman, a Kitten's Joy colt trained by Mike Maker, ran 1 1/16 miles on yielding turf in 1:50.51. Daniel Centeno had the mount.
Sunday at Keeneland, Mutasaabeq raced last of 11 early in the $200,000 Grade II Bourbon , circled his rivals eight-wide and kicked away late, winning by 2 1/4 lengths. Abarta was second and Nathan Detroit third, all with late runs from well back.
Mutasaabeq, an Into Mischief colt, ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:43.13 with Luis Saez riding. The race was a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, which trainer Todd Pletcher said is on the agenda.
Bodenheimer ripped out to a big, early lead in Sunday's $150,000 Indian Summer Stakes at Keeneland and cruised home first by 1 length. Cowan ran late to take second, 6 lengths in front of Agog. Bodenheimer, a Washington-bred colt by Atta Boy Roy, ran 5 1/2 furlongs on firm going in 1:02.70.
This one was a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. "I've never had a 2-year-old that I thought early in the year was good enough," winning trainer Valorie Lund said. "But when this colt started breezing, I thought, 'He is good enough,' so that is where we are going."
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Santa Anita got in on the juvenile turf action Sunday as Ebeko rallied four-wide and was just up to win the $100,000 Zuma Beach Stakes by a nose over Tarantino. Cotopaxi held a brief lead in the stretch, but finished third.
Ebeko, an Irish-bred colt by Awtaad, ran 1 mile on a firm surface in 1:36.55. Ricardo Gonzalez rode for trainer Peter Miller.
At Monmouth Park on Sunday, It Can Be Done led from gate to wire, turning back a mid-race challenge, in the $155,000 Nownownow Stakes.
At the finish, the Temple City gelding was 2 1/2 lengths in front of the favorite, Mischevious Dream, with No One to Blame just a nose farther out in third. It Can Be Done, with Jose Ferrer up, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:37.57.
Juvenile Fillies
Of course, Simply Ravishing and Crazy Beautiful finished 1-2 in Friday's $350,000 Grade I Darley Alcibiades at Keeneland. Simply Ravishing went right out to the lead and never looked back as her stablemate in the Kenny McPeek barn held second throughout. Travel Column filled out the trifecta.
Simply Ravishing, a New York-bred daughter of Laoban, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.58 with Luis Saez riding. She now is undefeated after three starts. Crazy Beautiful, by Liam's Map, was second in the Grade II Pocahontas at Churchill Downs before Friday's race, which was a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.
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"They are both really special fillies," McPeek said. "I kind of hated to run them against each other but it is a race we are obviously fond of and we felt like we had a heck of a chance with both of them in there. We will probably go to the Breeders' Cup with both of them."
Juvenile Fillies Turf
Plum Ali tracked the early speed in Sunday's $150,000 Grade II Miss Grillo at Belmont Park, shot by those and went on to win by 2 1/4 lengths. Caldee made the early going and finished second, a nose in front of Editor At Large. Plum Ali, a First Samurai filly, ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:42.03 with Jose Ortiz aboard.
Winning trainer Christophe Clement said of a potential start in the Breeders' Cup, "Just like anything else, I'll only go to the Breeders' Cup if she's training great and doing great."
At Santa Anita on Sunday, Madone started far back in a nine-horse field in the $100,000 Surfer Girl Stakes, rallied six-wide down the stretch to get the lead and held on by a neck over Tetragonal. It was another 3 1/2 lengths to Pizzaz in third. Madone, a daughter of Vancouver, finished 1 mile on firm turf in 1:34.83 with Flavien Prat riding.
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Fluffy Socks rallied along the rail to win Saturday's $150,000 Selima Stakes at Pimlico, defeating the favorite, Invincible Gal, by 2 1/4 lengths. Fluffy Socks, a daughter of the British sire Slumber, got 1 1/16 miles on yielding turf in 1:50.74. After a decent debut at Saratoga, she won last month at Kentucky Downs for trainer Chad Brown.
Around the world, around the clock:
Canadian Triple Crown
The U.S. Triple Crown ended at Pimlico but the Canadian counterpart is very much alive and with a steady pulse after Mighty Heart won the $400,000 Prince of Wales Stakes Thursday at Fort Erie by a convincing 2 1/2 lengths over Clayton. It was another 5 1/4 lengths back to Dotted Line in third.
Mighty Heart, a Dramedy colt, won the first leg of the series, the storied Queen's Plate, at Woodbine Sept. 12 and now has only the Breeders' Stakes, back at Woodbine but on the turf, to sweep the series.
France
Please see the separate account of the Arc weekend at Longchamp, available at upi.com/topic/horse-racing.
Japan
Gran Alegria unleashed an almost unbelievable late run from next-last to win Sunday's Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse. Seemingly hopelessly defeated with less than 200 meters to go, the Deep Impact filly nonetheless won by 2 lengths over Danon Smash.
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The late run was so dramatic that even the English-language racecaller at Nakayama Racecourse was taken by surprise. "Gran Alegria starts to lengthen but it is too far to catch up," he said, immediately adding, "Here's Gran Alegria!"
"I can't believe how strong she is," winning rider Chrisophe Lemaire said of Gran Alegria. "She was a little slow to get into the rhythm and we were much further back than expected.
"But we did not panic if not a little worried that we may not be in time as the pace was fast. She certainly showed what she is made of and she just carried on while some of the front runners started to weaken."
The race is one of two Grade 1 sprints on the Japanese calendar. Gran Alegria was second in the other, the March 29 Takamatsunomia Kinen at Chukyo. In that race, she trailed only Mozu Superflare, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Speightstown who reported 10th in the Sprinters Stakes after making the rapid lead.
On Saturday at Chukyo, Café Pharoah, a one-time contender on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, returned to winning ways in the Group 2 Sirius Stakes.
The Kentucky-bred colt by American Pharoah rallied from the middle of the 16-horse field to win by 3/4 length over the dirt course.
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He won his first three starts, including the Hyacinth Stakes in February and the Unicorn Stakes in June, both on the Tokyo Racecourse turf, locking up the top spot in the Kentucky Derby series, then was seventh when contesting the Japan Dirt Derby at Oi on July 8.
None of the Japanese contenders accepted a bid to Louisville this year.
England
Nazeef kicked into high gear as two groups of runners merged about 2 furlongs out in Saturday's Group 1 Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket, and then ran on strongly to win by 1 length from Half Light. Cloak of Spirits was third.
The favorite, Champers Elysees, running for the first time in the colors of new owner Teruya Yoshida, settled for fourth, beaten 2 1/4 lengths while ending a four-race winning skein.
Nazeef, a 4-year-old filly by Invincible Spirit, earlier in the season won the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes and the Group 1 Qatar Nassau. Jim Crowley rode for trainer John Gosden and owner Sheik Hamdan Al Maktoum.
Australia
Verry Elleegant rallied outside a wall of horses turning into the stretch in Saturday's Group 1 TAB Turnbull Stakes at Flemington, then got the best of a blanket finish, edging early pace factor Toffee Tongue with Finch third.
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Chris Waller trains all three. Verry Elleegant, a 5-year-old, New Zealand-bred mare, tallied her fifth Group 1 win and avenged a fourth-place finish in the Group 1 George Main in her last start.
The rebound was enough to move her right up the odds board for the Caulfield Cup and she also is well-held for the Melbourne Cup itself.
At Royal Randwick, Probabeel emerged from well back of the leaders turning for home in Saturday's Group 1 TAB Epsom Handicap, dueled briefly with old rival Funstar and then asserted in the final 100 meters to win by 1 length. Funstar was second, Riodini third and Yulong Prince fourth.
Probabeel, a 4-year-old, New Zealand-bred filly, now has two wins on the season for trainer Jaime Richards. She has got the better of Funstar in four of their seven head-to-head meetings. Richards said he will have a think about the Cox Plate for Probabeel.
Also on Saturday's card at Royal Randwick, Montefila edged the favorite, Hungry Heart, in the 1,600-meters Group 1 Darley Flight Stakes and Mirage Dancer got there first in the Group 1 Heineken Metropolitan at 2,400 meters with the favorite, Mugatoo, a neck back in second.
Hong Kong
Excellent Proposal made his case for a role in this season's Four Year Old Classic series with an impressive win in Sunday's Class 2 Chek Lap Kok Handicap at Sha Tin Racecourse. With Joao Moreira up, the Australian-bred Exceed and Excel gelding ran his record to three wins from four starts.
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"He didn't sort of blow them away today but he certainly did the job," winning trainer John Size said. "He's got himself to a rating that's comfortable to be an aspirant of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, so I'm happy with that."
Moreira and chief rival Zac Purton each had two winners on the card, so Moreira maintained his six-wins lead in the jockey premiership chase, 22-16. Karis Teetan rode one winner and stands third with 12.


upi--2020-10-05--Moments from the National Football League for the week of Oct. 4, 2020

Bengals fans cheer for their team in the first game fans were allowed to attend at Paul Brown Stadium in @ @ @ @ @ by John Sommers II /UPI

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Tom Brady warms up before the game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago on Thursday, where the Bears won 20-19. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI


upi--2020-10-05--In photos: Moments from Major League Baseball for the week of Sept. 28, 2020

Atlanta Braves ' Marcel Ozuna ( R ) celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run homer in Game 2 of @ @ @ @ @ Series in Atlanta on Thursday .
The Braves advanced to the National League Divisional Series @ @ @ @ @ 19 years after defeating the Cincinnati Reds 5-0 .
Photo by Tami Chappell/UPI

Miami Marlins players pose for a picture after defeating the Chicago Cubs 2-0 in the National League Wild Card Game to win their first playoff series in 17 years in Chicago on Friday. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI


upi--2020-10-05--Ryan Mutombo, son of NBA legend Dikembe, commits to Georgetown

Oct. 5 ( UPI ) -- Ryan Mutombo , the son of Hall of Fame basketball player Dikembe Mutombo , has committed to play at Georgetown .
The 6-foot-11 , 235-pound center from the Lovett School in Atlanta announced his decision to join the Hoyas basketball program Sunday on social media .
The elder Mutombo played at Georgetown from 1988 through 1990 under the late coach John Thompson .
Dikembe went on to become the No .
4 overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft .
He was an eight-time NBA All-Star .
Ryan -- a junior -- is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ESPN 100 .
He ranks No .
71 on the Top247 for the class of 2021 .
The four-star prospect picked Georgetown over Tennessee , Stanford and Georgia .
Hoyas coach and NBA legend Patrick Ewing also played at Georgetown , but left the school for the NBA after the 1984-1985 season before Dikembe arrived on the Washington , D.C. , campus .
Georgetown went 15-17 in 2019-2020 and lost to St. John 's in the Big East Tournament before the college basketball postseason was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the 2014-2015 season .

Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Ryan Mutombo, the son of Hall of Fame basketball player Dikembe Mutombo, has committed to play at Georgetown.
The 6-foot-11, 235-pound center from the Lovett School in Atlanta announced his decision to join the Hoyas basketball program Sunday on social media.
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The elder Mutombo played at Georgetown from 1988 through 1990 under the late coach John Thompson. Dikembe went on to become the No. 4 overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft. He was an eight-time NBA All-Star.
"Welcome home, son," Dikembe wrote Sunday on Instagram.
Ryan -- a junior -- is the No. 94 prospect on the 2021 ESPN 100. He ranks No. 71 on the Top247 for the class of 2021. The four-star prospect picked Georgetown over Tennessee, Stanford and Georgia.
Hoyas coach and NBA legend Patrick Ewing also played at Georgetown, but left the school for the NBA after the 1984-1985 season before Dikembe arrived on the Washington, D.C., campus.
Georgetown went 15-17 in 2019-2020 and lost to St. John's in the Big East Tournament before the college basketball postseason was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Hoyas have posted a winning record once since the 2014-2015 season.