upi--2020-06-29--The truth is out about Iran's economic meltdown

June 29 ( UPI ) -- The Iranian economy has collapsed .
The ayatollahs can no longer afford to pay the wages of government employees , as the triple whammy of U.S. sanctions , the coronavirus pandemic and rampant corruption reduce their budget to chicken feed .
As international vultures hover over the clerical regime 's rotting corpse , the mullahs have ramped up their provocative testing of ballistic missiles and illegal nuclear activities in a costly , last-ditch bid to cling to power .
They can ill afford to divert their dwindling resources to militaristic posturing , while 70 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , trying to survive on less than the recognized international poverty line of $ 1.90 per day .
The Iranian currency -- the rial -- fell a further 14 percent in June to its lowest level ever .
In a country that boasts the world 's second-largest gas reserves and fourth-largest crude oil reserves , the Iranian regime 's economic disintegration has become a byword for incompetence , avarice and greed .
Iran , despite its rich , civilized and open culture , has become an international pariah , its religious fascist regime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ export of terror , while its 80 million impoverished citizens , over half of whom are under 30 , struggle to feed their families against a background of COVID-19 raging across the nation .
The mullahs tell the world that only around 10,400 people have died from the disease , but the true figures are believed to be in excess of 62,000 , as the contagion spirals out of control .
Supplies of drugs , personal protective equipment and ventilators have been sent to hospitals for the elite or sold on the black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the regime 's Gestapo .
Meanwhile , President Hassan Rouhani has ordered the population back to work in an attempt to reboot the economy , resulting in a second , deadly wave of coronavirus contagion .
The Iranian people have long known that the regime is more toxic than the virus .
The mullahs are now terrified that their theocratic system will come tumbling down , as the destitute masses rise up in fury and cast them into the garbage can of history .
They have redoubled their repression and tyranny in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , arresting , torturing , flogging and hanging young political protesters who are routinely accused of supporting the Mojahedin e-Khalq democratic opposition movement .
Eight death sentences for `` corruption on earth '' have been approved for young protesters who were arrested following the November uprising .
Meanwhile , there is smoldering fury that the ayatollahs have spent $ 30 billion propping up Bashar al-Assad 's murderous Syrian regime and squandered looted resources on their extremist proxies like Hezbollah in Lebanon , the Shi'ite militias in Iraq , the Houthi rebels in Yemen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starved of resources , the theocratic regime 's international adventurism is grinding to a halt .
There are signs of military withdrawal in Syria and even Iran 's strategic allies in Iraq and North Korea say that U.S. banking sanctions have made it impossible to circumvent President Donald Trump 's `` maximum pressure '' campaign , to provide a lifeline to the ruling dictatorship .
Now the truth about Iran 's economic meltdown is out .
Rouhani has acknowledged that international economic pressure has cost his government over $ 200 billion in lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iranian Majilis ( parliament ) in early June , Abdolnasser Hemmati , the head of the Central Bank of Iran , acknowledged that the country 's banking system had been seriously disrupted .
Mohammad Bagher Nobakht , head of the Planning and Budget Organization , told the Majilis that it had become almost impossible for Iran to sell crude oil , the country 's main source of income .
Nobakht went on to say that the government could no longer rely on oil revenues , but warned that raising taxes was not an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In such circumstances , governing the country is very difficult , '' he told MPs .
He continued by telling the Majilis that providing `` at least $ 2.47 billion of the 2020-21 budget bill '' is impossible .
He said the government needs around $ 1.76 billion just to pay its employees and to continue operating .
He admitted that the money is not available .
Nobakht 's statement caused an outcry in the parliament .
The newly elected hard-line MP from the city of Mashhad -- Javad Karimi Qoddussi -- claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Central Bank of Iran -- Valiollah Seif -- to give $ 36.1 billion and 80 tons of gold to three gangs involved in the smuggling of goods , foreign exchange and drugs in the Iraqi Kurdish province of Sulaimaniyah , while it was under the control , according to Qoddussi , of the Americans and Saudis .
Qoddussi is a sycophantic devotee of the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a close ally of the newly appointed speaker -- Brig .
Gen. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf , who is intent on implementing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sweep aside Rouhani 's government and to replace it , in Khamenei 's own words , with a `` Young Hizbollahi government '' .
Accusing Rouhani of corruption will be seen as a great irony by the Iraqi population , who know that the supreme leader and the speaker are among the most venally corrupt people in Iran .
But the parliamentary outburst by Qoddussi has provided a strong signal of the infighting that has splintered the clerical regime .
Qoddussi went on to blame Rouhani for the nationwide uprisings that exploded across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November 2019 , when the IRGC gunned down thousands of unarmed protesters .
Mocking Rouhani 's attempts to have appeared as the `` hero '' who had crushed the protests , Qoddussi claimed that Rouhani 's tactics had backfired , provoking even greater anti-government unrest .
Qoddussi said , `` We witnessed two instances of [ Rouhani 's ] heroism in inciting the people during the events in 2017 and in 2019 and the people who were killed then , and in the fall of the national currency value . ''
Rouhani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until 2021 and Khamenei 's desperate effort to get rid of him before then is perhaps the strongest indication yet that the mullahs no longer believe they can survive for another year .
Struan Stevenson is the coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change .
He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland ( 1999-2014 ) , president of the Parliament 's Delegation for Relations with Iraq ( 2009-14 ) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup ( 2004-14 ) .
He is an international lecturer on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the European Iraqi Freedom Association .

The Iranian currency -- the rial -- fell a further 14 percent in June to its lowest level ever. File Photo by Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA-EFE
June 29 (UPI) -- The Iranian economy has collapsed. The ayatollahs can no longer afford to pay the wages of government employees, as the triple whammy of U.S. sanctions, the coronavirus pandemic and rampant corruption reduce their budget to chicken feed. As international vultures hover over the clerical regime's rotting corpse, the mullahs have ramped up their provocative testing of ballistic missiles and illegal nuclear activities in a costly, last-ditch bid to cling to power. They can ill afford to divert their dwindling resources to militaristic posturing, while 70 percent of the Iranian population is starving, trying to survive on less than the recognized international poverty line of $1.90 per day. Advertisement
The Iranian currency -- the rial -- fell a further 14 percent in June to its lowest level ever. In a country that boasts the world's second-largest gas reserves and fourth-largest crude oil reserves, the Iranian regime's economic disintegration has become a byword for incompetence, avarice and greed.
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Iran, despite its rich, civilized and open culture, has become an international pariah, its religious fascist regime condemned for human rights abuse and the export of terror, while its 80 million impoverished citizens, over half of whom are under 30, struggle to feed their families against a background of COVID-19 raging across the nation. The mullahs tell the world that only around 10,400 people have died from the disease, but the true figures are believed to be in excess of 62,000, as the contagion spirals out of control.
Supplies of drugs, personal protective equipment and ventilators have been sent to hospitals for the elite or sold on the black market by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the regime's Gestapo. Meanwhile, President Hassan Rouhani has ordered the population back to work in an attempt to reboot the economy, resulting in a second, deadly wave of coronavirus contagion.
The Iranian people have long known that the regime is more toxic than the virus. The mullahs are now terrified that their theocratic system will come tumbling down, as the destitute masses rise up in fury and cast them into the garbage can of history. They have redoubled their repression and tyranny in an effort to prevent a new revolution, arresting, torturing, flogging and hanging young political protesters who are routinely accused of supporting the Mojahedin e-Khalq democratic opposition movement. Eight death sentences for "corruption on earth" have been approved for young protesters who were arrested following the November uprising.
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Meanwhile, there is smoldering fury that the ayatollahs have spent $30 billion propping up Bashar al-Assad's murderous Syrian regime and squandered looted resources on their extremist proxies like Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Shi'ite militias in Iraq, the Houthi rebels in Yemen and Hamas in Gaza. But, starved of resources, the theocratic regime's international adventurism is grinding to a halt. There are signs of military withdrawal in Syria and even Iran's strategic allies in Iraq and North Korea say that U.S. banking sanctions have made it impossible to circumvent President Donald Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign, to provide a lifeline to the ruling dictatorship.
Now the truth about Iran's economic meltdown is out. Rouhani has acknowledged that international economic pressure has cost his government over $200 billion in lost revenues. At a session of the Iranian Majilis (parliament) in early June, Abdolnasser Hemmati, the head of the Central Bank of Iran, acknowledged that the country's banking system had been seriously disrupted.
Mohammad Bagher Nobakht, head of the Planning and Budget Organization, told the Majilis that it had become almost impossible for Iran to sell crude oil, the country's main source of income. Nobakht went on to say that the government could no longer rely on oil revenues, but warned that raising taxes was not an option due to the recession.
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"In such circumstances, governing the country is very difficult," he told MPs. He continued by telling the Majilis that providing "at least $2.47 billion of the 2020-21 budget bill" is impossible. He said the government needs around $1.76 billion just to pay its employees and to continue operating. He admitted that the money is not available.
Nobakht's statement caused an outcry in the parliament. The newly elected hard-line MP from the city of Mashhad -- Javad Karimi Qoddussi -- claimed that Rouhani had personally authorized the then-governor of the Central Bank of Iran -- Valiollah Seif -- to give $36.1 billion and 80 tons of gold to three gangs involved in the smuggling of goods, foreign exchange and drugs in the Iraqi Kurdish province of Sulaimaniyah, while it was under the control, according to Qoddussi, of the Americans and Saudis.
Qoddussi is a sycophantic devotee of the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a close ally of the newly appointed speaker -- Brig. Gen. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who is intent on implementing the supreme leader's master plan to sweep aside Rouhani's government and to replace it, in Khamenei's own words, with a "Young Hizbollahi government".
Advertisement
Accusing Rouhani of corruption will be seen as a great irony by the Iraqi population, who know that the supreme leader and the speaker are among the most venally corrupt people in Iran. But the parliamentary outburst by Qoddussi has provided a strong signal of the infighting that has splintered the clerical regime.
Qoddussi went on to blame Rouhani for the nationwide uprisings that exploded across the country in December 2017 and again in November 2019, when the IRGC gunned down thousands of unarmed protesters. Mocking Rouhani's attempts to have appeared as the "hero" who had crushed the protests, Qoddussi claimed that Rouhani's tactics had backfired, provoking even greater anti-government unrest.
Qoddussi said, "We witnessed two instances of [Rouhani's] heroism in inciting the people during the events in 2017 and in 2019 and the people who were killed then, and in the fall of the national currency value." Rouhani's term of office does not end until 2021 and Khamenei's desperate effort to get rid of him before then is perhaps the strongest indication yet that the mullahs no longer believe they can survive for another year.
Struan Stevenson is the coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change. He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland (1999-2014), president of the Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Iraq (2009-14) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup (2004-14). He is an international lecturer on the Middle East and is also president of the European Iraqi Freedom Association.


upi--2020-06-29--Midnight Bisou, Tom's d'Etat win Breeders' Cup berths

June 29 ( UPI ) -- Midnight Bisou and Tom 's d'Etat won Breeders ' Cup berths with victories at Churchill Downs , Mean Mary and Newspaperofrecord were front-running winners in New York , and Casadero popped up on the radar for the 2021 Kentucky Derby , all in weekend horse racing .
International racing featured some equally impressive performances , including another Group 1 win for Magical , another Irish Derby for Coolmore and Aidan O'Brien , a first Group 1 victory for Way to Paris and a farewell-to-South Africa triumph by Hawwaam .
There also was a Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that for a bit and , instead , kick things off with another tour de force by a certain future Hall of Fame mare .
Midnight Bisou earned a third trip to the Breeders ' Cup Distaff with an imposing victory in Saturday 's $ 200,000 Grade II Fleur de Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs .
The 5-year-old Midnight Lute mare tracked the pace made by Serengeti Empress , quickly closed the gap around the turn and found no competition in the lane , winning by 8 1/4 lengths with Mike Smith powering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 1 1/8 miles went in 1:48.99 .
Motion Emotion and Another Broad were along for second and third as Serengeti Empress tired from the early exertions to finish fourth .
Midnight Bisou , trained by Steve Asmussen , showed no signs of jet lag while making her first start since finishing second to Maximum Security in the $ 20 million Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh Feb. 29 .
The race was a `` Win and You 're In '' for the Longines Breeders ' Cup Distaff Nov. 7 at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bisou finished third in 2018 and second last year .
`` She 's just an amazing mare , '' said Smith , who has ridden some of the best female horses in recent history , notably Zenyatta .
`` I actually had took the lead a little before I wanted to .
We were planning on laying a little bit closer but the way Serengeti Empress was winging it on the front end , we were a little further back .
She 's just incredibly special . ''
Asmussen added : `` What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put her back into training for her 5-year-old year , true sportsmen .
...
It 's the combination of the amazing talent she has , the head on her shoulders and the way she goes about it . ''
Tom 's d'Etat roared down the stretch to take Saturday 's $ 500,000 Grade II Stephen Foster by 4 1/4 lengths , winning his fourth straight race and earning a `` Win and You 're In '' spot in the Longines Breeders ' Cup Classic Nov. 7 at Keeneland .
By My Standards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the turn but could n't go with the winner , settling for second .
Silver Dust was third , another 2 3/4 lengths in arrears .
Tom 's d'Etat , a 7-year-old son of Smart Strike , finished 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:47.30 .
If that sounds fast , that 's because it was fast -- just 0.02 second off the rack record set by Victory Gallop in the 1999 Stephen Foster , with Jerry Bailey riding for trainer Elliott Walden .
Tom 's d'Etat started his win skein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fayette at Keeneland in October , continued it in the Grade I Clark Handicap in November at Churchill Downs , then came back from a brief break to win the Oaklawn Mile in April .
`` We knew coming into this race he was a fresh horse but [ he ] ran so well fresh in the past , '' said Tom 's d'Etat 's trainer , Al Stall , Jr. '' This will set him up to be in good shape for the rest of the year .
I think he 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... We 've sort of been waiting for this horse to get into form with the breaks in his races but he 's finally got there .
That was a very impressive performance today . ''
Stall reported Sunday to NYRA publicity that Tom 's d'Etat exited the Foster in good order and will target the $ 750,000 Grade I Whitney Aug. 1 at Saratoga .
It was all Mean Mary in Saturday 's $ 250,000 Grade II New York Stakes for fillies and mares at Belmont Park .
With Luis Saez along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the early lead and was never seriously challenged .
She strolled home first by 5 1/4 lengths with My Sister Nat 's big late run good only for second .
Feel Glorious added a little value to the trifecta payout .
Mean Mary , a 4-year-old Scat Daddy filly out of the Dynaformer mare Karlovy Vary , ran 1 1/4 miles on the firm inner turf course in 2:01.85 .
Mean Mary , an Alex Campbell homebred , now has five wins from seven career starts and came into the race off a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gulfstream Park .
Trainer Graham Motion said he was n't sure how to evaluate her off those runs .
`` You always wonder a little bit about Florida -- did she just suit that course ?
But this is so different than running at Gulfstream , '' Motion said .
`` The way she did it was pretty impressive .
...
I think she might be one of those horses where you do n't have to make too many excuses . ''
Motion said the $ 500,000 Grade 1 Diana on Aug. 23 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' for Mean Mary .
`` The decision will be where to go next in order to get her to the Breeders ' Cup , '' he said .
As we noted here Thursday , Saturday 's $ 100,000 Grade III Regret Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs looked like a pretty wide-open affair .
Thus , Harvey 's Lil Goil , at odds of 11-1 , pressed the early pace , took over the lead late and survived a late bid by the favorite , Crystal Cliffs , to win by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Harvey 's Lil Goil , an American Pharoah filly , scored two easy wins at Aqueduct during the winter , taking the Busanda Stakes by 7 lengths , but then was overwhelmed in the Grade III Fantasy at Oaklawn Park , finishing 11th , beaten more than 20 lengths .
Newspaperofrecord was out and winging in Saturday 's $ 250,000 Grade I Just a Game Stakes for fillies and mares at Belmont Park and was n't about to be caught .
Shaking off challenges at the head of the stretch , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vega found another gear and won off by 3 lengths for her second straight victory .
Beau Recall came from last to finish second , preventing an all-Chad Brown trifecta .
Brown , king of the New York turf , saddled Newspaperofrecord and the third- and fourth-place finishers , Uni and Regal Glory .
Newspaperofrecord was undefeated in three starts as a 2-year-old , finishing with a win in the Breeders ' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf .
She was unable to carry her speed longer in three tries last year but , returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two impressive wins running .
Going forward , though , Brown said he 's not sure .
`` She 's just had two big races back-to-back .
With limited mile races out there , she may be another one that has to face the boys but I do n't want to commit her to that yet .
We 'll see how she 's doing and see what else is out there , '' the trainer said .
Uni is the reigning Breeders ' Cup Mile champ but had not raced since that victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had some issues and missed some training .
At Woodbine on Saturday , Elizabeth Way pressed the pace made by Another Time in the $ 175,000 ( Canadian ) Nassau Stakes for fillies and mares , then put a neck in front in the final strides for the victory .
The favorite , Malakeh , was third , another 3/4 length back .
Elizabeth Way , a 4-year-old , Irish-bred daughter of Frankel from the Giant 's Causeway mare Maids Causeway , ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:33.26 with Emma-Jayne Wilson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ III The Very One Stakes at Gulfstream Park in February and was third in the Grade III Orchid the following month but finished 13th in the Grade III Mint Julep at Churchill Downs on her way north .
Firenze Fire rallied around rivals into the stretch in Saturday 's $ 150,000 Grade II True North Stakes at Belmont Park and edged away to win by 1 1/2 lengths as the favorite .
Stan the Man ran evenly to finish second , 3 1/4 lengths to the good of Yorkton in third .
Firenze @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Warrior , got 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:15.53 with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard .
Firenze Fire had won four straight races since finishing fifth in the Breeders ' Cup Sprint before catching a sloppy track in the Grade I Carter on June 6 .
He was never a factor in that , finishing fourth .
`` For sure , he needed that last race , '' said winning trainer Kelly Breen .
`` I think the track had something to do with it last time out .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ races before .
Hopefully , we can move onward to Saratoga and find a nice spot for him there .
The goal is to get him to the Breeders ' Cup . ''
Victim of Love victimized five rivals and the chalk players in Saturday 's $ 100,000 Grade III Vagrancy Handicap at Belmont Park .
Dispatched at odds of 27-1 , the longest on the tote board , the 4-year-old Speightstown filly pressed the pace , surged to the lead in the lane and easily held off the odds-on favorite , Come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lengths .
It was another 4 1/4 lengths to Pacific Gale in third .
Victim of Love ran 6 1/2 furlongs on a good track in 1:16.27 for Jose Lezcano .
Victim of Love was second in the Grade III Barbara Fritchie at Laurel Park Feb. 15 but tossed in a clunker in her most recent outing , leading to the generous odds .
`` My filly kept going the whole way around and never stopped , '' Lezcano said .
`` She gave me everything she had . ''
Looking forward to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope , things will be back to something like normal ?
Well ... some 2-year-olds were on the track Saturday at Churchill Downs with their connections dreaming of the first Saturday in May 2021 .
Casadero waited patiently behind a blistering early pace in the $ 100,000 Grade III Bashford Manor , charged to the lead leaving the turn and rolled home first by 4 3/4 lengths , remaining undefeated after two starts .
County Final held second after leading through the early furlongs .
Casadero , a Stonestreet Stables homebred son of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mare Wild Gams , ran 6 furlongs in 1:09.73 with Ricardo Santana Jr. up .
`` He really did it the right way today , '' said Stonestreet 's Barbara Banke .
`` I was really encouraged that he demonstrated he did n't need to be on the lead .
Of course , he 's a homebred .
We 're so glad we kept him .
...
He was a little horse because he was a late foal .
But he 's really come along . ''
The Road to the Kentucky Derby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to happen in the lead-up to the Kentucky Derby .
This weekend 's chapter : Dean Martini opened a daylight lead at mid-stretch in Saturday 's $ 500,000 Grade III Ohio Derby , and then held off South Bend to win by 3/4 length .
The favorite , 2019 2-year-old champ Storm the Court , finished third and remains winless since the Breeders ' Cup Juvenile .
Dean Martini , a Cairo Prince gelding , ran 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:51.60 with Ricardo Mejias up for trainer Tom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hunch exacta of Dean Martini-Dack Janiels but the latter showed little and finished last .
Dean Martini took eight tries to find the winner 's circle , running at Ellis Park , Del Mar , Santa Anita , Fair Grounds and Oaklawn Park before finally breaking through at Churchill Downs on May 17 .
He earned 20 points on the `` Road to the Kentucky Derby '' leader board used to decide the field for the Run for the Roses , which would put him on the bubble to get into the race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with new contenders emerging seemingly every week , he likely will need to do more .
Since he was not nominated to the full Triple Crown series , he also would have to be supplemented to the Kentucky Derby -- $ 45,000 plus another $ 25,000 to enter and $ 25,000 to start .
`` That 's the carrot dangling in front us , '' Blood-Horse quoted Amoss , who claimed Dean Martini for $ 50,000 two starts back .
`` I do n't know .
We 'll see , '' Amoss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world , around the clock : Santiago led an Aidan O'Brien-trained quartet home in Saturday 's Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby , doubling down on his victory in the Group 2 Queen 's Vase at Royal Ascot just eight days earlier .
The Authorized colt , with Seamie Heffernan deputizing for the quarantined Ryan Moore , burst to the front through a minute opening after turning for home , then dug in determinedly to hold off stablemate Tiger Moth .
The trip undoubtedly made the difference as Heffernan 's decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid off .
Tiger Moth had to circle the field to mount his challenge , then fell just a head short at the end .
On the flip side of that , Santiago met the challenge when it was presented and held his rival safe though the closing yards .
Dawn Patrol and Order of Australia reported third and fourth .
Tiger Moth and Dawn Patrol are by Coolmore 's long-time superstar stallion Galileo .
Order of Australia is by 2014 Investec Derby winner Australia , a son of Galileo .
`` You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , '' Racing Post quoted O'Brien of Santiago .
`` He 's a lovely , hardy horse and it was a big call by the [ Coolmore ] lads to run him so close after winning at Royal Ascot .
I 'm delighted and he has to be better with time . ''
The Curragh turf was listed as good for the Derby although the leprechauns produced a vivid double rainbow over the course as the horses entered the saddling area and rain fell in torrents as they went into the stalls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Group 1 Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes for fillies and mares over the same course .
The race was never in doubt as Heffernan send Magical right to the front , led a quartet of overmatched rivals throughout the 1 1/4 miles and came home first by 4 1/2 lengths .
The only downside for the lads was Fleeting finishing third , 1 1/2 lengths behind runner-up Cayenne Pepper .
Magical , making her first start since winning the Group 1 Qipco British Champion Stakes last October , finished in an unhurried 2:12.29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with drenching rain .
The 5-year-old Galileo mare has had some epic showdowns while traveling around the world , all too frequently as a bridesmaid to other world-class horses -- three times second to Enable .
She now has won four Group 1 events , with three of those coming within the past 10 months .
O'Brien said he noticed a change for the better in Magical and convinced the Coolmore lads to delay a planned visit to No Nay Never to give the mare another chance on the course .
`` Something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Racing Post quoted the trainer .
`` She transformed .
Usually you see that sort of improvement from three to four , but she made it from four to five .
The power really came into her body . ''
Sunday 's Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin Racecourse was a pretty wide-open affair .
It 's one of the two `` grand prix '' events on the Japanese racing calendar for which fans vote their favorites for the field -- an exercise conducted online-only this year as the pandemic restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off-track facilities remained closed .
The No .
1 pick , Almond Eye , did not contest the race .
And the fans virtually overlooked eventual winner Chrono Genesis , leaving her No .
6 on the list .
They did better in the actual wagering , though , as Chrono Genesis went to the post as second-favorite .
When the competition hit the course , it was all Chrono Genesis .
The 4-year-old Bago filly was on cruise control near midfield for most of the race , picked things up on her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kicked away from a wall of rivals in the final 200 meters to win by 6 lengths .
Last year 's runner-up , Kiseki , finished second , 5 lengths better than Mozu Bello -- another fan flub as he was sent off at odds of more than 100-1 .
The favorite , Saturnalia , finished fourth .
With the win , Chrono Genesis earned starting spots in both the Longines Breeders ' Cup Turf ( G1 ) and the 100th running of the Cox Plate ( G1 ) .
`` The filly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel in good rhythm in good striking position , '' jockey Yuichi Kitamura said .
`` I did n't really have to urge her to go but she just went spontaneously .
She was responding really well so I knew that she would stretch well in the lane .
`` She has become a powerful filly and was in very good condition .
She was really strong . ''
Old guys ruled in some nice races in England .
On Saturday at Newmarket , 8-year-old Limato won the Group 3 Betway Criterion Stakes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Henry Candy-trained Tagula gelding , a multiple Group 1 winner earlier in his career , strode away in the stretch to win by 3 1/2 lengths -- his 14th win from 32 starts .
At Newcastle , Caspian Prince belied both his age ( 11 ) and odds ( 28-1 ) while winning the Gosforth Park Cup by 1 1/4 lengths .
Tom Marquand , who rode the Dylan Thomas now and again in his salad days , had the mount for his 101st race .
Caspian Prince was fourth , beaten just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Group 2 Meydan Sprint on Feb. 20 in Dubai .
Way to Paris launched a determined and sustained drive some 350 meters from home in Sunday 's Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and got the job done in the closing strides , defeating Nagano Gold by a neck with Ziyad a head farther back in third .
Falamour and Old Persian completed the order of finish .
Way to Paris , a 7-year-old , British-bred son of Champs Elysees from the Cozzene mare Grey Way , has been a consistent performer through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sixth time and first in a top-level event .
Last time out two weeks ago , he finished second to Sottsass in the Group 1 Prix Ganay at Chantilly .
Trainer Andrea Marcialis said Way to Paris is `` particular '' about how he runs but , on his day , can give anyone a fight .
`` He has run three times in thirty days and that 's not easy , '' Marcialis told Racing Post .
`` He 'll have a break now and if he is still in good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be the aim . ''
Hawwaam bid a possibly premature goodbye to South Africa Saturday with an easy , 3 1/2-lengths win in the Group 1 World Sports Betting Premier 's Champions Challenge .
Taking the lead some 300 meters out under Callan Murray , the 4-year-old son of 2001 Arlington Million winner Silvano was clearly best , leading home Mike de Kock stablemate Soqrat .
Tierra de Fuego , trained by another internationally minded South African , Sean Tarry , was third .
Hawwaam races for Sheik Hamdan , who wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protocols to the UK been relaxed this spring , as hoped , the colt might have stuck around for the iconic Durban July .
Now , he goes to quarantine and an early exit .
`` This horse could win an Arlington Million , '' Sporting Post quoted de Kock .
`` He will win a Group 1 in Australia .
It 's scary to think that he is going to be even better at 5 .
His wither has n't even flattened out yet .
He is definitely getting better .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- one of the world 's great owners and breeders . ''
De Kock said Murray , a product of the South African Jockey Academy , was key to the victory , adding : `` Callan does n't overthink his ride on this horse .
He rides him perfectly .
Meanwhile , back in the States : Fool 's Paradise rallied from last of seven to win the Lone Star Park Turf Stakes for fillies and mares by 3/4 length over front-running Quebec .
The favorite , Curlin 's Journey , had more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third , another 4 3/4 lengths back .
Fool 's Paradise , a 5-year-old daughter of Pioneerof the Nile , ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:34.15 for jockey Ramon Vazquez .
Little Menace set a pressured pace in the Grand Prairie Derby , then took charge in the stretch run , drawing off to win by 3 1/4 lengths .
Sir Rick was second , 1 1/4 lengths in front of Gold Pilot .
Little Menace , an Into Mischief colt trained by Steve Asmussen , ran 1 1/16 miles on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elliot rode .
Hunka Burning Love pressured pacesetter Sleepy Eyes Todd through most of the Lone Star Mile , edged past that rival late and went on to win by a head .
Another 7 1/2 lengths later , Vangilder reported third .
Hunka Burning Love , a 6-year-old Into Mischief gelding , finished in 1:36.32 with David Cabrera in the irons .
Critical Value rallied from off the pace to take the lead at the top of the stretch in Sunday 's $ 100,000 Bouwerie Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win .
Big Q was best of the rest , 1 1/4 lengths in front of Naked Avenger .
Critical Value , a Bodemeister filly , got 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:23.07 with Junior Alvarado riding .
Galilean swung four-wide into the stretch in Saturday 's $ 100,000 Soi Phet Stakes for California-breds and kicked away to win by 4 lengths over Grinning Tiger .
Brandothebartender rallied from well back to finish third .
Galilean , a 4-year-old Uncle Mo colt , ran 1 mile on a fast track in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Chief Randel got first run to the lead in the stretch drive in Saturday 's $ 75,000 Daniel Sterns Cleveland Gold Cup for Ohio-bred 3-year-olds and held on to post the 24-1 upset victory .
The odds-on favorite , Liberate , was in contention most of the way but could n't match strides with the winner in the final sixteenth , finishing second .
It was 7 1/2 lengths to Betchaiwill in third .
Chief Randel , a Fiber Sonde colt , ran 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:54.22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced the starter in Saturday 's $ 52,375 Bob Bryant Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and only Flat Out Speed ever had much chance of winning the event .
The daughter of Flat Out , with Alex Cancheri up , quickly worked to the lead and was out for a stroll the rest of the way , winning by 5 1/2 lengths , under wraps .
Beer Can was second and it was another 19 3/4 lengths to Mayan Sky , who earned $ 6,983 for completing the 6 furlongs .
Flat Out Speed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Iowa oval , Mollies Rocket rocketed to the front in the $ 52,375 Gray 's Lake Stakes for state-bred 3-year-olds and got home first , an easy 2 3/4 lengths in front of the odds-on favorite , Fleetwood Shac .
It was another 11 lengths to Polly 's Brother in third .
Mollies Rocket , a Rock the Rock gelding , ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:08.30 with Glenn Corbett up .
Shanghai Keely chased down front-running long shot Presley in the final yards of Sunday 's $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mares , winning by 1/2 length over that rival .
Ornamental Iron was third , another 2 3/4 lengths in arrears .
Shanghai Keely , a 3-year-old Shanghai Bobby filly , ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.67 with Jimmy Coates riding .
The Hong Kong Jockey Club announced Saturday it will reopen its off-course betting branches June 22 for race wagering and customer services .
Sports betting will not be conducted and the Mark Six lottery remains in suspension .
The HKJC said the decision reflects `` recent improvements in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racing has been beset with issues during the 2019-20 season , not least of them the no-spectators rule imposed at Sha Tin and Happy Valley racecourses since early in the year and the shuttering of its satellite operations .

1/2
Midnight Bisou wins Saturday's Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs, earning a third try in the Breeders' Cup Distaff. Photo courtesy of Churchill Downs
June 29 (UPI) -- Midnight Bisou and Tom's d'Etat won Breeders' Cup berths with victories at Churchill Downs, Mean Mary and Newspaperofrecord were front-running winners in New York, and Casadero popped up on the radar for the 2021 Kentucky Derby, all in weekend horse racing. International racing featured some equally impressive performances, including another Group 1 win for Magical, another Irish Derby for Coolmore and Aidan O'Brien, a first Group 1 victory for Way to Paris and a farewell-to-South Africa triumph by Hawwaam. Advertisement
There also was a Kentucky Derby prep race but we'll save that for a bit and, instead, kick things off with another tour de force by a certain future Hall of Fame mare.
Distaff
Midnight Bisou earned a third trip to the Breeders' Cup Distaff with an imposing victory in Saturday's $200,000 Grade II Fleur de Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs.
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The 5-year-old Midnight Lute mare tracked the pace made by Serengeti Empress, quickly closed the gap around the turn and found no competition in the lane, winning by 8 1/4 lengths with Mike Smith powering her down through the final yards. The 1 1/8 miles went in 1:48.99.
Motion Emotion and Another Broad were along for second and third as Serengeti Empress tired from the early exertions to finish fourth.
Midnight Bisou, trained by Steve Asmussen, showed no signs of jet lag while making her first start since finishing second to Maximum Security in the $20 million Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh Feb. 29.
The race was a "Win and You're In" for the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff Nov. 7 at Keeneland -- a race in which Midnight Bisou finished third in 2018 and second last year.
"She's just an amazing mare," said Smith, who has ridden some of the best female horses in recent history, notably Zenyatta.
"I actually had took the lead a little before I wanted to. We were planning on laying a little bit closer but the way Serengeti Empress was winging it on the front end, we were a little further back. She's just incredibly special."
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Asmussen added: "What an amazing mare. What a commitment to put her back into training for her 5-year-old year, true sportsmen. ... It's the combination of the amazing talent she has, the head on her shoulders and the way she goes about it."
Classic
Tom's d'Etat roared down the stretch to take Saturday's $500,000 Grade II Stephen Foster by 4 1/4 lengths, winning his fourth straight race and earning a "Win and You're In" spot in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 7 at Keeneland.
By My Standards came to challenge for the lead exiting the turn but couldn't go with the winner, settling for second. Silver Dust was third, another 2 3/4 lengths in arrears.
Tom's d'Etat, a 7-year-old son of Smart Strike, finished 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:47.30. If that sounds fast, that's because it was fast -- just 0.02 second off the rack record set by Victory Gallop in the 1999 Stephen Foster, with Jerry Bailey riding for trainer Elliott Walden.
Tom's d'Etat started his win skein with a victory in the Grade II Fayette at Keeneland in October, continued it in the Grade I Clark Handicap in November at Churchill Downs, then came back from a brief break to win the Oaklawn Mile in April.
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"We knew coming into this race he was a fresh horse but [he] ran so well fresh in the past," said Tom's d'Etat's trainer, Al Stall, Jr.
"This will set him up to be in good shape for the rest of the year. I think he'll benefit a lot from this race. ... We've sort of been waiting for this horse to get into form with the breaks in his races but he's finally got there. That was a very impressive performance today."
Stall reported Sunday to NYRA publicity that Tom's d'Etat exited the Foster in good order and will target the $750,000 Grade I Whitney Aug. 1 at Saratoga.
Filly & Mare Turf
It was all Mean Mary in Saturday's $250,000 Grade II New York Stakes for fillies and mares at Belmont Park. With Luis Saez along for the ride, Mean Mary took the early lead and was never seriously challenged.
She strolled home first by 5 1/4 lengths with My Sister Nat's big late run good only for second. Feel Glorious added a little value to the trifecta payout. Mean Mary, a 4-year-old Scat Daddy filly out of the Dynaformer mare Karlovy Vary, ran 1 1/4 miles on the firm inner turf course in 2:01.85.
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Mean Mary, an Alex Campbell homebred, now has five wins from seven career starts and came into the race off a pair of front-running Grade III scores at Gulfstream Park. Trainer Graham Motion said he wasn't sure how to evaluate her off those runs.
"You always wonder a little bit about Florida -- did she just suit that course? But this is so different than running at Gulfstream," Motion said. "The way she did it was pretty impressive. ... I think she might be one of those horses where you don't have to make too many excuses."
Motion said the $500,000 Grade 1 Diana on Aug. 23 at Saratoga is a "strong possibility" for Mean Mary. "The decision will be where to go next in order to get her to the Breeders' Cup," he said.
As we noted here Thursday, Saturday's $100,000 Grade III Regret Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs looked like a pretty wide-open affair.
Thus, Harvey's Lil Goil, at odds of 11-1, pressed the early pace, took over the lead late and survived a late bid by the favorite, Crystal Cliffs, to win by a head. Good Spirits was third.
Harvey's Lil Goil, an American Pharoah filly, scored two easy wins at Aqueduct during the winter, taking the Busanda Stakes by 7 lengths, but then was overwhelmed in the Grade III Fantasy at Oaklawn Park, finishing 11th, beaten more than 20 lengths.
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Turf Mile
Newspaperofrecord was out and winging in Saturday's $250,000 Grade I Just a Game Stakes for fillies and mares at Belmont Park and wasn't about to be caught. Shaking off challenges at the head of the stretch, the 4-year-old, Irish-bred daughter of Lope de Vega found another gear and won off by 3 lengths for her second straight victory. Beau Recall came from last to finish second, preventing an all-Chad Brown trifecta. Brown, king of the New York turf, saddled Newspaperofrecord and the third- and fourth-place finishers, Uni and Regal Glory.
Newspaperofrecord was undefeated in three starts as a 2-year-old, finishing with a win in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. She was unable to carry her speed longer in three tries last year but, returned to sprint-mile distances, she now has two impressive wins running. Going forward, though, Brown said he's not sure.
"She's just had two big races back-to-back. With limited mile races out there, she may be another one that has to face the boys but I don't want to commit her to that yet. We'll see how she's doing and see what else is out there," the trainer said.
Uni is the reigning Breeders' Cup Mile champ but had not raced since that victory last November. Brown said she has had some issues and missed some training.
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At Woodbine on Saturday, Elizabeth Way pressed the pace made by Another Time in the $175,000 (Canadian) Nassau Stakes for fillies and mares, then put a neck in front in the final strides for the victory.
The favorite, Malakeh, was third, another 3/4 length back. Elizabeth Way, a 4-year-old, Irish-bred daughter of Frankel from the Giant's Causeway mare Maids Causeway, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:33.26 with Emma-Jayne Wilson riding.
Elizabeth Way won the Grade III The Very One Stakes at Gulfstream Park in February and was third in the Grade III Orchid the following month but finished 13th in the Grade III Mint Julep at Churchill Downs on her way north.
Sprint
Firenze Fire rallied around rivals into the stretch in Saturday's $150,000 Grade II True North Stakes at Belmont Park and edged away to win by 1 1/2 lengths as the favorite.
Stan the Man ran evenly to finish second, 3 1/4 lengths to the good of Yorkton in third. Firenze Fire, a 5-year-old son of Poseidon's Warrior, got 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:15.53 with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard.
Firenze Fire had won four straight races since finishing fifth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint before catching a sloppy track in the Grade I Carter on June 6. He was never a factor in that, finishing fourth.
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"For sure, he needed that last race," said winning trainer Kelly Breen. "I think the track had something to do with it last time out. He ran fast. He's run fast races before. Hopefully, we can move onward to Saratoga and find a nice spot for him there. The goal is to get him to the Breeders' Cup."
Filly & Mare Sprint
Victim of Love victimized five rivals and the chalk players in Saturday's $100,000 Grade III Vagrancy Handicap at Belmont Park.
Dispatched at odds of 27-1, the longest on the tote board, the 4-year-old Speightstown filly pressed the pace, surged to the lead in the lane and easily held off the odds-on favorite, Come Dancing, to win by 1 3/4 lengths.
It was another 4 1/4 lengths to Pacific Gale in third. Victim of Love ran 6 1/2 furlongs on a good track in 1:16.27 for Jose Lezcano.
Victim of Love was second in the Grade III Barbara Fritchie at Laurel Park Feb. 15 but tossed in a clunker in her most recent outing, leading to the generous odds.
"My filly kept going the whole way around and never stopped," Lezcano said. "She gave me everything she had."
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Juvenile
Looking forward to the 2021 Kentucky Derby when, we hope, things will be back to something like normal? Well ... some 2-year-olds were on the track Saturday at Churchill Downs with their connections dreaming of the first Saturday in May 2021.
Casadero waited patiently behind a blistering early pace in the $100,000 Grade III Bashford Manor, charged to the lead leaving the turn and rolled home first by 4 3/4 lengths, remaining undefeated after two starts.
County Final held second after leading through the early furlongs. Casadero, a Stonestreet Stables homebred son of Street Sense out of the Forest Wildcat mare Wild Gams, ran 6 furlongs in 1:09.73 with Ricardo Santana Jr. up.
"He really did it the right way today," said Stonestreet's Barbara Banke. "I was really encouraged that he demonstrated he didn't need to be on the lead. Of course, he's a homebred. We're so glad we kept him. ... He was a little horse because he was a late foal. But he's really come along."
The Road to the Kentucky Derby
In a strange year, strange things continue to happen in the lead-up to the Kentucky Derby. This weekend's chapter: Dean Martini opened a daylight lead at mid-stretch in Saturday's $500,000 Grade III Ohio Derby, and then held off South Bend to win by 3/4 length.
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The favorite, 2019 2-year-old champ Storm the Court, finished third and remains winless since the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
Dean Martini, a Cairo Prince gelding, ran 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:51.60 with Ricardo Mejias up for trainer Tom Amoss. He completed one-half of the hunch exacta of Dean Martini-Dack Janiels but the latter showed little and finished last.
Dean Martini took eight tries to find the winner's circle, running at Ellis Park, Del Mar, Santa Anita, Fair Grounds and Oaklawn Park before finally breaking through at Churchill Downs on May 17.
He earned 20 points on the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" leader board used to decide the field for the Run for the Roses, which would put him on the bubble to get into the race if things were frozen now. However, with new contenders emerging seemingly every week, he likely will need to do more.
Since he was not nominated to the full Triple Crown series, he also would have to be supplemented to the Kentucky Derby -- $45,000 plus another $25,000 to enter and $25,000 to start.
"That's the carrot dangling in front us," Blood-Horse quoted Amoss, who claimed Dean Martini for $50,000 two starts back. "I don't know. We'll see," Amoss said about the Kentucky Derby.
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Around the world, around the clock:
Ireland
Santiago led an Aidan O'Brien-trained quartet home in Saturday's Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, doubling down on his victory in the Group 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot just eight days earlier.
The Authorized colt, with Seamie Heffernan deputizing for the quarantined Ryan Moore, burst to the front through a minute opening after turning for home, then dug in determinedly to hold off stablemate Tiger Moth.
The trip undoubtedly made the difference as Heffernan's decision to stay inside and ride for luck paid off. Tiger Moth had to circle the field to mount his challenge, then fell just a head short at the end. On the flip side of that, Santiago met the challenge when it was presented and held his rival safe though the closing yards.
Dawn Patrol and Order of Australia reported third and fourth. Tiger Moth and Dawn Patrol are by Coolmore's long-time superstar stallion Galileo. Order of Australia is by 2014 Investec Derby winner Australia, a son of Galileo.
"You'd have to be very happy with him," Racing Post quoted O'Brien of Santiago. "He's a lovely, hardy horse and it was a big call by the [Coolmore] lads to run him so close after winning at Royal Ascot. I'm delighted and he has to be better with time."
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The Curragh turf was listed as good for the Derby although the leprechauns produced a vivid double rainbow over the course as the horses entered the saddling area and rain fell in torrents as they went into the stalls.
The Coolmore-O'Brien-Heffernan happiness extended into Sunday's Group 1 Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes for fillies and mares over the same course.
The race was never in doubt as Heffernan send Magical right to the front, led a quartet of overmatched rivals throughout the 1 1/4 miles and came home first by 4 1/2 lengths. The only downside for the lads was Fleeting finishing third, 1 1/2 lengths behind runner-up Cayenne Pepper.
Magical, making her first start since winning the Group 1 Qipco British Champion Stakes last October, finished in an unhurried 2:12.29, running through a gale, complete with drenching rain.
The 5-year-old Galileo mare has had some epic showdowns while traveling around the world, all too frequently as a bridesmaid to other world-class horses -- three times second to Enable. She now has won four Group 1 events, with three of those coming within the past 10 months.
O'Brien said he noticed a change for the better in Magical and convinced the Coolmore lads to delay a planned visit to No Nay Never to give the mare another chance on the course.
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"Something just happened with her over the winter," Racing Post quoted the trainer. "She transformed. Usually you see that sort of improvement from three to four, but she made it from four to five. The power really came into her body."
Japan
Sunday's Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin Racecourse was a pretty wide-open affair. It's one of the two "grand prix" events on the Japanese racing calendar for which fans vote their favorites for the field -- an exercise conducted online-only this year as the pandemic restrictions kept spectators out of the grandstand and off-track facilities remained closed.
The No. 1 pick, Almond Eye, did not contest the race. And the fans virtually overlooked eventual winner Chrono Genesis, leaving her No. 6 on the list. They did better in the actual wagering, though, as Chrono Genesis went to the post as second-favorite.
When the competition hit the course, it was all Chrono Genesis. The 4-year-old Bago filly was on cruise control near midfield for most of the race, picked things up on her own initiative nearing the stretch turn and kicked away from a wall of rivals in the final 200 meters to win by 6 lengths.
Last year's runner-up, Kiseki, finished second, 5 lengths better than Mozu Bello -- another fan flub as he was sent off at odds of more than 100-1. The favorite, Saturnalia, finished fourth.
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With the win, Chrono Genesis earned starting spots in both the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) and the 100th running of the Cox Plate (G1).
"The filly broke smoothly and we were able to travel in good rhythm in good striking position," jockey Yuichi Kitamura said. "I didn't really have to urge her to go but she just went spontaneously. She was responding really well so I knew that she would stretch well in the lane.
"She has become a powerful filly and was in very good condition. She was really strong."
England
Old guys ruled in some nice races in England.
On Saturday at Newmarket, 8-year-old Limato won the Group 3 Betway Criterion Stakes for the second year running. The Henry Candy-trained Tagula gelding, a multiple Group 1 winner earlier in his career, strode away in the stretch to win by 3 1/2 lengths -- his 14th win from 32 starts.
At Newcastle, Caspian Prince belied both his age (11) and odds (28-1) while winning the Gosforth Park Cup by 1 1/4 lengths. Tom Marquand, who rode the Dylan Thomas now and again in his salad days, had the mount for his 101st race. Caspian Prince was fourth, beaten just more than 2 lengths, in the Group 2 Meydan Sprint on Feb. 20 in Dubai.
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France
Way to Paris launched a determined and sustained drive some 350 meters from home in Sunday's Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and got the job done in the closing strides, defeating Nagano Gold by a neck with Ziyad a head farther back in third. Falamour and Old Persian completed the order of finish.
Way to Paris, a 7-year-old, British-bred son of Champs Elysees from the Cozzene mare Grey Way, has been a consistent performer through his career, but won for just the sixth time and first in a top-level event. Last time out two weeks ago, he finished second to Sottsass in the Group 1 Prix Ganay at Chantilly.
Trainer Andrea Marcialis said Way to Paris is "particular" about how he runs but, on his day, can give anyone a fight.
"He has run three times in thirty days and that's not easy," Marcialis told Racing Post. "He'll have a break now and if he is still in good form come the autumn, the Arc will be the aim."
South Africa
Hawwaam bid a possibly premature goodbye to South Africa Saturday with an easy, 3 1/2-lengths win in the Group 1 World Sports Betting Premier's Champions Challenge.
Taking the lead some 300 meters out under Callan Murray, the 4-year-old son of 2001 Arlington Million winner Silvano was clearly best, leading home Mike de Kock stablemate Soqrat. Tierra de Fuego, trained by another internationally minded South African, Sean Tarry, was third.
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Hawwaam races for Sheik Hamdan, who wants him in international competition. Had export protocols to the UK been relaxed this spring, as hoped, the colt might have stuck around for the iconic Durban July. Now, he goes to quarantine and an early exit.
"This horse could win an Arlington Million," Sporting Post quoted de Kock. "He will win a Group 1 in Australia. It's scary to think that he is going to be even better at 5. His wither hasn't even flattened out yet. He is definitely getting better. And what a great week for Sheik Hamdan -- one of the world's great owners and breeders."
De Kock said Murray, a product of the South African Jockey Academy, was key to the victory, adding: "Callan doesn't overthink his ride on this horse. He rides him perfectly.
Meanwhile, back in the States:
Lone Star Park
Sunday's program featured three stakes events, each worth $75,000.
Fool's Paradise rallied from last of seven to win the Lone Star Park Turf Stakes for fillies and mares by 3/4 length over front-running Quebec.
The favorite, Curlin's Journey, had more of a nightmare journey and settled for third, another 4 3/4 lengths back. Fool's Paradise, a 5-year-old daughter of Pioneerof the Nile, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:34.15 for jockey Ramon Vazquez.
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Little Menace set a pressured pace in the Grand Prairie Derby, then took charge in the stretch run, drawing off to win by 3 1/4 lengths. Sir Rick was second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of Gold Pilot. Little Menace, an Into Mischief colt trained by Steve Asmussen, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.79. Stewart Elliot rode.
Hunka Burning Love pressured pacesetter Sleepy Eyes Todd through most of the Lone Star Mile, edged past that rival late and went on to win by a head. Another 7 1/2 lengths later, Vangilder reported third. Hunka Burning Love, a 6-year-old Into Mischief gelding, finished in 1:36.32 with David Cabrera in the irons.
Belmont Park
Critical Value rallied from off the pace to take the lead at the top of the stretch in Sunday's $100,000 Bouwerie Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies and easily rolled on to a 4 1/2-lengths win.
Big Q was best of the rest, 1 1/4 lengths in front of Naked Avenger. Critical Value, a Bodemeister filly, got 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:23.07 with Junior Alvarado riding.
Los Alamitos
Galilean swung four-wide into the stretch in Saturday's $100,000 Soi Phet Stakes for California-breds and kicked away to win by 4 lengths over Grinning Tiger. Brandothebartender rallied from well back to finish third. Galilean, a 4-year-old Uncle Mo colt, ran 1 mile on a fast track in 1:35.49 with Juan Hernandz in the irons.
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Thistledown
Chief Randel got first run to the lead in the stretch drive in Saturday's $75,000 Daniel Sterns Cleveland Gold Cup for Ohio-bred 3-year-olds and held on to post the 24-1 upset victory.
The odds-on favorite, Liberate, was in contention most of the way but couldn't match strides with the winner in the final sixteenth, finishing second. It was 7 1/2 lengths to Betchaiwill in third. Chief Randel, a Fiber Sonde colt, ran 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:54.22 with Agustin Bracho riding.
Prairie Meadows
Only three faced the starter in Saturday's $52,375 Bob Bryant Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and only Flat Out Speed ever had much chance of winning the event.
The daughter of Flat Out, with Alex Cancheri up, quickly worked to the lead and was out for a stroll the rest of the way, winning by 5 1/2 lengths, under wraps. Beer Can was second and it was another 19 3/4 lengths to Mayan Sky, who earned $6,983 for completing the 6 furlongs. Flat Out Speed was home in 1:09.21.
On Sunday at the Iowa oval, Mollies Rocket rocketed to the front in the $52,375 Gray's Lake Stakes for state-bred 3-year-olds and got home first, an easy 2 3/4 lengths in front of the odds-on favorite, Fleetwood Shac.
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It was another 11 lengths to Polly's Brother in third. Mollies Rocket, a Rock the Rock gelding, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:08.30 with Glenn Corbett up.
Ruidoso Downs
Shanghai Keely chased down front-running long shot Presley in the final yards of Sunday's $50,000 First Lady Handicap for fillies and mares, winning by 1/2 length over that rival.
Ornamental Iron was third, another 2 3/4 lengths in arrears. Shanghai Keely, a 3-year-old Shanghai Bobby filly, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.67 with Jimmy Coates riding.
News and Notes
The Hong Kong Jockey Club announced Saturday it will reopen its off-course betting branches June 22 for race wagering and customer services. Sports betting will not be conducted and the Mark Six lottery remains in suspension.
The HKJC said the decision reflects "recent improvements in the COVID situation." Hong Kong racing has been beset with issues during the 2019-20 season, not least of them the no-spectators rule imposed at Sha Tin and Happy Valley racecourses since early in the year and the shuttering of its satellite operations.


upi--2020-06-29--U2 band members invest in Irish tech fund

June 29 ( UPI ) -- Two members of the Grammy-winning band U2 are backing a new technology fund in Ireland dedicated to raising about $ 112 million for companies in the country that produce `` technology for good . ''
Adam Clayton and David Howell Evans , also known as `` The Edge , '' are listed as investors into the Impact Ireland fund , which will support cloud-based technologies in sectors that include education , healthcare , food , agriculture , energy and the environment .
Clayton and Evans were part of the first wave of investment into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The second round of funding has started .
Dublin-based VentureWave Capital is the investment firm that is driving the new Impact Ireland Fund .
Former Ireland leader Enda Kenny chairs the fund 's Global Advisory Council , which is providing expertise for VentureWave Capital to promote Ireland .
`` It will be a powerful corps of advocates for developing the next generation of successful Irish businesses and accelerating the impact that they will have , '' Kenny said about Impact Ireland .
Kieran McLoughlin , the managing partner for VentureWave , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefit society in Ireland .
`` We are delighted to launch Impact Ireland with its focus on supporting highly scalable companies which benefit society from one of the best investment global locations there is , Ireland , '' McLoughlin said .
`` We are privileged to be able to draw on the experience and insights of such a remarkable group of people in the Global Advisory Council , especially in promoting Ireland . ''

David Howell Evans, known as The Edge (L), performs with Bono of the band U2 perform in concert at the Stade de France near Paris on July 25, 2017. Evans and band member Adam Clayton have invested in a fund to promote Irish technology companies. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo
June 29 (UPI) -- Two members of the Grammy-winning band U2 are backing a new technology fund in Ireland dedicated to raising about $112 million for companies in the country that produce "technology for good." Adam Clayton and David Howell Evans, also known as "The Edge," are listed as investors into the Impact Ireland fund, which will support cloud-based technologies in sectors that include education, healthcare, food, agriculture, energy and the environment. Advertisement
Clayton and Evans were part of the first wave of investment into the fund, which ended in May. The second round of funding has started.
Dublin-based VentureWave Capital is the investment firm that is driving the new Impact Ireland Fund. Former Ireland leader Enda Kenny chairs the fund's Global Advisory Council, which is providing expertise for VentureWave Capital to promote Ireland.
"It will be a powerful corps of advocates for developing the next generation of successful Irish businesses and accelerating the impact that they will have," Kenny said about Impact Ireland.
Kieran McLoughlin, the managing partner for VentureWave, said the fund will target Irish businesses that benefit society in Ireland.
"We are delighted to launch Impact Ireland with its focus on supporting highly scalable companies which benefit society from one of the best investment global locations there is, Ireland," McLoughlin said.
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"We are privileged to be able to draw on the experience and insights of such a remarkable group of people in the Global Advisory Council, especially in promoting Ireland."


upi--2020-06-29--'Respect': Jennifer Hudson rises to fame in new teaser for Aretha Franklin biopic

June 29 ( UPI ) -- Jennifer Hudson portrays the Aretha Franklin in the latest teaser trailer for biopic , @ @ @ @ @ stage to perform Franklin 's hit song `` Respect '' with the word being spelled @ @ @ @ @ the clip released on Sunday Franklin 's rise to fame is then explored as she @ @ @ @ @ albums to becoming one the greatest singers of all time .
Respect , from director @ @ @ @ @ to hit theaters on Christmas Day .
`` Following the rise of Aretha Franklin 's @ @ @ @ @ in her father 's church choir to her international superstardom , Respect is the remarkable @ @ @ @ @ icon 's journey to find her voice , '' reads the synopsis .
Franklin died @ @ @ @ @ in August 2018 .

June 29 (UPI) -- Jennifer Hudson portrays the Aretha Franklin in the latest teaser trailer for biopic, Respect.
Hudson takes the stage to perform Franklin's hit song "Respect" with the word being spelled out behind her, in the clip released on Sunday
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Franklin's rise to fame is then explored as she went from releasing four unsuccessful albums to becoming one the greatest singers of all time.
Respect, from director Lisel Tommy, is set to hit theaters on Christmas Day.
Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Skya Dakota Turner, Tate Donovan and Mary J. Blige also star.
"Following the rise of Aretha Franklin's career from a child singing in her father's church choir to her international superstardom, Respect is the remarkable true story of the music icon's journey to find her voice," reads the synopsis.
Franklin died at the age of 76 in August 2018.


upi--2020-06-29--Pirates pitcher Edgar Santana gets 80-game PED ban

June 29 ( UPI ) -- Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Edgar Santana has been suspended for 80 games for violating Major League Baseball 's performance-enhancing drug policy .
MLB announced Sunday that Santana tested positive for Boldenone , an anabolic steroid often used to increase muscle mass and strength .
`` The Pirates are disappointed to learn of today 's news that Edgar Santana has received an 80-game suspension as a result of a violation of Major League Baseball 's joint drug prevention and treatment program , '' Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said .
`` Because of the confidentiality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have further comment on this matter . ''
Santana , 28 , missed the entire 2019 season after Tommy John surgery .
He posted a 3.31 ERA and 3-4 record in 69 appearances in 2018 .
The Dominican Republic native made his MLB debut in 2017 .
He posted a 3.50 ERA in 19 games during his rookie campaign .
The 2020 MLB season was suspended in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic , but is to resume July 23 or 24 .
The shortened season would include only 60 games , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consecutive full season and an additional 20 games in 2021 .

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Edgar Santana will miss the entire 2020 season and 20 games of next season due to his suspension for using a performance-enhancing drug. File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
June 29 (UPI) -- Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Edgar Santana has been suspended for 80 games for violating Major League Baseball's performance-enhancing drug policy. MLB announced Sunday that Santana tested positive for Boldenone, an anabolic steroid often used to increase muscle mass and strength. Advertisement
"The Pirates are disappointed to learn of today's news that Edgar Santana has received an 80-game suspension as a result of a violation of Major League Baseball's joint drug prevention and treatment program," Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said.
"Because of the confidentiality requirements of the program, we will not have further comment on this matter."
Santana, 28, missed the entire 2019 season after Tommy John surgery. He posted a 3.31 ERA and 3-4 record in 69 appearances in 2018. The Dominican Republic native made his MLB debut in 2017. He posted a 3.50 ERA in 19 games during his rookie campaign.
The 2020 MLB season was suspended in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, but is to resume July 23 or 24. The shortened season would include only 60 games, which means Satana will miss his second consecutive full season and an additional 20 games in 2021.


upi--2020-06-29--Benzema heels nutmeg assist in Real Madrid win over Espanyol

June 29 ( UPI ) -- Karim Benzema provided a skillful nutmeg assist with his heel to set up the only goal in Real Madrid 's 1-0 win against Espanyol in La Liga .
Madrid center midfielder Casemiro finished the play for a score in the victory Sunday at RCDE Stadium in Barcelona .
The win keeps Madrid in first place in La Liga , just ahead of rival Spanish power FC Barcelona .
`` Benzema is an impressive player and he proves it in every game , '' Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane told reporters .
`` He 's been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enjoy his quality .
A player always improves and every year players get better and that 's exactly what 's happening to him . ''
Madrid and Espanyol appeared headed for a scoreless first half before Benzema set up Casemiro in first-half stoppage time .
Madrid left back Marcelo began the play with a long ball into the right side of the box .
Star defender Sergio Ramos headed the ball forward and onto Benzema .
The French forward chased the ball toward the sideline while on the right side of the goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to kick the ball between the legs of a defender before he ran out of bounds .
The pass was placed perfectly ahead for Casemiro , who used his first touch to smack a shot past Espanyol keeper Diego Lopez .
`` It was a good move , but Casemiro 's goal is more important , as he finishes it off well , '' Benzema said .
`` It was a difficult game .
We got the win and it 's three very important points to take home .
We 're very happy @ @

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema (L) provided a nutmeg assist at the end of the first half of a game against Espanyol Sunday at RCDE Stadium in Barcelona. Photo by Alberto Estevez/EPA-EFE
June 29 (UPI) -- Karim Benzema provided a skillful nutmeg assist with his heel to set up the only goal in Real Madrid's 1-0 win against Espanyol in La Liga. Madrid center midfielder Casemiro finished the play for a score in the victory Sunday at RCDE Stadium in Barcelona. The win keeps Madrid in first place in La Liga, just ahead of rival Spanish power FC Barcelona. Advertisement
"Benzema is an impressive player and he proves it in every game," Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane told reporters.
"He's been here for 11 years and we all enjoy his quality. A player always improves and every year players get better and that's exactly what's happening to him."
Madrid and Espanyol appeared headed for a scoreless first half before Benzema set up Casemiro in first-half stoppage time. Madrid left back Marcelo began the play with a long ball into the right side of the box.
Star defender Sergio Ramos headed the ball forward and onto Benzema. The French forward chased the ball toward the sideline while on the right side of the goal.
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Benzema then used his right heel to kick the ball between the legs of a defender before he ran out of bounds. The pass was placed perfectly ahead for Casemiro, who used his first touch to smack a shot past Espanyol keeper Diego Lopez.
"It was a good move, but Casemiro's goal is more important, as he finishes it off well," Benzema said. "It was a difficult game. We got the win and it's three very important points to take home. We're very happy."
Madrid hosts Getafe at 4 p.m. EDT Thursday in Madrid.


upi--2020-06-29--Third hiker in a week goes missing at Mount Rainier National Park

June 29 ( UPI ) -- Rescuers have launched a search for a missing hiker at Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state during the weekend , joining ongoing separate efforts to find two others who disappeared previous week .
The latest hiker to go missing was identified as Matthew Bunker of Seattle .
He was last seen Friday and is believed to have fallen on steep terrain at an elevation of 10,400 feet , the National Park Service said .
The park service on Saturday sent a helicopter to the area , which is near the location of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed the lives of six climbers in 2014 .
Severe winds around Liberty Ridge , however , prevented the helicopter from getting close to the terrain and the crew was unable to locate Bunker on Saturday before returning to base .
Mount Rainier park rangers were already trying to locate two other hikers who went missing in separate incidents the previous weekend .
Vincent Djie , a 25-year-old Indonesian student who has been living in Seattle , was last seen June 19 hiking in the Longmire area of the park .
The park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tacoma Mountain Rescue were conducting ground and aerial searches and using infrared radar to detect any heat signatures being emitted in the area .
A third search , unrelated to the others , also was underway at the Paradise area of the park for Talal Sabbagh , a 27-year-old hiker from Seattle .
He was reported missing June 22 , when a preliminary search was conducted .
Efforts to find him expanded this weekend included seven ground teams and the park 's helicopter .

June 29 (UPI) -- Rescuers have launched a search for a missing hiker at Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state during the weekend, joining ongoing separate efforts to find two others who disappeared previous week.
The latest hiker to go missing was identified as Matthew Bunker of Seattle. He was last seen Friday and is believed to have fallen on steep terrain at an elevation of 10,400 feet, the National Park Service said.
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The park service on Saturday sent a helicopter to the area, which is near the location of the Liberty Ridge tragedy on Mount Rainier that claimed the lives of six climbers in 2014.
Severe winds around Liberty Ridge, however, prevented the helicopter from getting close to the terrain and the crew was unable to locate Bunker on Saturday before returning to base.
Mount Rainier park rangers were already trying to locate two other hikers who went missing in separate incidents the previous weekend.
Vincent Djie, a 25-year-old Indonesian student who has been living in Seattle, was last seen June 19 hiking in the Longmire area of the park.
The park service said rangers and volunteers from the Tacoma Mountain Rescue were conducting ground and aerial searches and using infrared radar to detect any heat signatures being emitted in the area.
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A third search, unrelated to the others, also was underway at the Paradise area of the park for Talal Sabbagh, a 27-year-old hiker from Seattle. He was reported missing June 22, when a preliminary search was conducted.
Efforts to find him expanded this weekend included seven ground teams and the park's helicopter.


upi--2020-06-29--COVID-19 cases continue surge in Florida; Dallas leader seeks stay-at-home order

June 29 ( UPI ) -- A surge in COVID-19 cases continued in Florida as more than 8,500 infections were logged Sunday while a top official in Dallas called on Texas ' governor to reimpose stay-at-home orders to curb an explosive outbreak there .
The United States had more cases than any other country at nearly 2.6 million as of Monday morning , according to a live tracker of the virus by Johns Hopkins University .
In Florida , Sunday saw more than 8,530 cases after the state reported a record 9,585 cases the day before , according to data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state has had a reported 141,075 infections and 3,419 deaths from the virus .
More than a quarter Sunday 's new cases came from Miami-Dade County , which set a new single-day record of 2,152 new cases .
The county 's hospitalization rate rose for a 15th consecutive day .
In Texas , Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins called on Gov .
Greg Abbott to reinstitute stay-at-home orders and other strict measures to stop the spread of the deadly and infectious coronavirus as cases surge throughout the state .
In a letter dated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday , Jenkins asked Abbott to reinstitute stay-at-home orders for a month , enforce universal mask-wearing and physical distancing through fines , limit events and reduce indoor gatherings to 10 people and outdoor events to 100 , among a slew of other recommendations .
Jenkins also urged Abbott to adopt the measures statewide `` or at the very least regionally '' and if he is not willing to do either , then `` please rescind your prior order restricting local control and allow Dallas County to implement the above recommendations in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rampant and devastating COVID-19 virus . ''
`` Lives depend on swift action , '' he said .
Jenkins ' call comes as cases throughout the state surge .
Texas has been vaulted to fourth in the nation in infections with nearly 150,000 after reporting six consecutive days of more than 5,000 new cases , according to data from Texas Health and Human Services .
Abbott in late April announced the first phase of the state 's reopening plan , which rescinded strict measures , allowing businesses , such as restaurants and movie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The third phase of that plan was announced earlier this month .
However , Abbott put a pause to those plans last week and then signed an executive order to force all bars and similar establishments to close to thwart the skyrocketing number of infections .
Abbott expressed regret Friday over his decision to reopen bars , stating `` if I could go back and redo anything , it would have been to slow down the opening of bars . ''
In Dallas County , Jenkins said it had a record 570 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one death , lifting its totals to 20,165 infections and 352 fatalities .
He said hospitalizations have also doubled in June .
On Twitter , Jenkins urged the public to follow the recommendations and not wait for them to be instituted .
`` Do not go to the type of establishments that our public health doctors are saying are unsafe , '' he said , meaning movie theaters , gyms and the like .
`` Stay at home except for essential business trips and wear a mask when outside the home and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one of several states seeing a surge in cases .
On Sunday , Gov .
Gavin Newsom released guidance for recommending counties that have resided on the state 's so-called monitoring list for three or more days to close bars while requiring those that have been on the list for two weeks or more to close immediately .
Bars in Fresno , Kern , Kings , Los Angeles and Tulare are required to close , while those in Riverside , Sacramento , San Bernardino , Santa Barbara , Stanislaus and Ventura are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Californians must remain vigilant against this virus , '' Newsom said in a statement .
`` COVID-19 is still circulating in California , and in some parts of the state , growing stronger .
That 's why it is critical we take this stop to limit the spread of this virus . ''
In New York , however , the situation was markedly different .
On Sunday , the state recorded its lowest single-day death toll since mid-March when its outbreak was just beginning and cases were starting to climb , Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ surges in infections .
In a statement , the Democratic governor announced the once epicenter of the United States ' COVID-19 outbreak recorded only five deaths in the previous 24 hours -- its lowest single-day tally since March 15 .
He also said the state had fewer than 900 hospitalized patients with the disease -- also a first since March .
`` Our progress is a direct result of New Yorkers ' discipline and hard work and an incremental , data-driven reopening , '' he said , adding that while Sunday 's numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged his citizenry to `` remain vigilant '' or risk increases .
`` Be smart , wear a mask , stay New York Tough ! ''
he said .
The state recorded 616 new infections , also its fewest number of cases since mid-March .
New York leads all states in confirmed cases with 392,539 followed by California , which had 211,243 infections as of Sunday after confirming 4,810 cases in the past 24 hours .

Beaches in some parts of Florida will be closed for the Fourth of July holiday because of the fear of spreading the coronavirus. File Photo By Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
June 29 (UPI) -- U.S. and local leaders on Monday blamed irresponsible behavior for the surge in new COVID-19 cases across the United States as Democratic congressional leaders urged new negotiations on economic relief. The United States had more cases than any other country at nearly 2.6 million Monday morning, according to a live tracker of the virus by Johns Hopkins University. Advertisement
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar pointed to irresponsible behavior for fueling the upsurge in cases, mainly in the South and West.
When asked if some states may have reopened their economies too soon, Azar said Americans must take individual responsibility for stopping the virus from spreading, including practicing social distancing and wearing masks.
"We've got to get back to work, back to school, and back to healthcare," Azar told CBS This Morning. "We've seen states that have reopened just as much as the counties that are at issue here and have not seen these kinds of outbreaks.
"If we don't act responsibly, we're going to see governors ... pull back on those reopenings."
In Florida, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez apportioned blame to "younger people basically disregarding the rules" for an upsurge of cases.
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Sunday saw more than 8,530 cases after Florida reported a record 9,585 cases the day before, according to data from its health department. The state has had a reported 141,075 infections and 3,419 deaths from the virus.
More than a quarter of Sunday's new cases came from Miami-Dade County, which set a new single-day record of 2,152 new cases. The county's hospitalization rate rose for a 15th consecutive day.
"It's not coincidental that two weeks after demonstrations happen here in Miami-Dade County, a lot by young people, that we've had this spike," Gimenez told CNN on Monday.
Gimenez closed Miami's beaches for Fourth of July weekend to avoid the large crowds.
In Washington, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to immediately start negotiations on a new coronavirus relief bill.
"The nation has seen a dramatic surge in both cases and deaths caused by the COVID-19 pandemic," they wrote in a letter to McConnell. "Adding to that pain, our economy is facing one of its greatest challenges since the Great Depression. Over one- fifth of the workforce has requested unemployment assistance."
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They added, "Now is the time for action, not continued delays and political posturing."
After allocating $3 trillion for coronavirus relief in four bills, the Trump administration and Senate Republicans have balked at another rescue bill. The House passed a fifth relief measure in April, but President Donald Trump has threatened to veto it.


upi--2020-06-29--Gunmen attack Pakistan Stock Exchange; several killed

June 29 ( UPI ) -- Security forces in Karachi on Monday killed four gunmen who launched an attack on the Pakistan Stock Exchange .
Police said security forces killed all gunmen involved in the attack , which began at around 10 a.m , GEO News reported .
The gunmen arrived at the compound also known as Pakistan 's Wall Street via a sedan and opened fire after being barred from entering the facility , initiating a gun battle with security forces .
`` An unfortunate incident took place at the Pakistan Stock Exchange , '' PSE Director Abid Ali @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their way from our parking area and opened fire on everyone . ''
The stock exchange confirmed the attack on its Twitter page , stating the situation was still `` unfolding '' but that the firing had stopped and reinforcements were in place .
`` We will issue a more detailed statement in due course once the situation is under control and more details are known , '' it said .
The Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement , which was emailed to Al Jazeera .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has carried out a self-sacrificing attack on Karachi stock exchange , '' the statement read .
According to the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University , the BLA is an ethnonationalist militant group , which has been active since 2000 and is fighting the Pakistan government to gain greater autonomy over the country 's largest Balochistan province .
Imran Ismail , governor of Sindh province , said he `` strongly '' condemns the attack and has ordered security agents to find and punish those responsible .
`` We shall protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .

Pakistani security officials inspect the scene of an attack by Baloch Liberation Army at the Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi, Pakistan, on Monday. Photo by Rehan Khan/EPA-EFE
June 29 (UPI) -- Security forces in Karachi on Monday killed four gunmen who launched an attack on the Pakistan Stock Exchange. Police said security forces killed all gunmen involved in the attack, which began at around 10 a.m, GEO News reported. Advertisement
The gunmen arrived at the compound, known as Pakistan's Wall Street, via a sedan and opened fire after being barred from entering the facility, initiating a gun battle with security forces.
"An unfortunate incident took place at the Pakistan Stock Exchange," PSE Director Abid Ali Habib told reporters. "They made their way from our parking area and opened fire on everyone."
The stock exchange confirmed the attack on its Twitter page, stating the situation was still "unfolding" but that the firing had stopped and reinforcements were in place.
"We will issue a more detailed statement in due course once the situation is under control and more details are known," it said.
The Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, which was emailed to Al Jazeera.
"Majeed brigade of Baloch Liberation Army today has carried out a self-sacrificing attack on Karachi stock exchange," the statement read.
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According to the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University, the BLA is an ethno-nationalist militant group, which has been active since 2000 and is fighting the Pakistan government to gain greater autonomy over the country's largest Balochistan province.
Imran Ismail, governor of Sindh province, said he "strongly" condemns the attack and has ordered security agents to find and punish those responsible.
"We shall protect Sindh at all costs," he said in a statement.


upi--2020-06-29--On This Day, June 29: Atlantis docks with Mir

On this date in history : In 1853 , the U.S. Senate ratified the $ 10 million Gadsden Purchase from Mexico , adding more than 29,000 square miles to the territories of Arizona and New Mexico and completing the modern geographical boundaries of the contiguous 48 states .
In 1933 , Fatty Arbuckle , silent film comedian and one of Hollywood 's most beloved personalities until a manslaughter charge ( he was eventually acquitted ) ruined his career , died while preparing a comeback .
He was 46 .
In 1972 , the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that capital punishment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was unconstitutional .
In 1974 , Isabel Peron took over as president of Argentina for her ailing husband , Juan Peron , who died two days later .
Her official presidency began July 1 , 1974 .
In 1992 , doctors in Pittsburgh reported the world 's first transplant of a baboon liver into a human patient .
The recipient , a 35-year-old man , survived three months .
In 1995 , the U.S. shuttle Atlantis docked with the Russian space station Mir for the first time .
NASA 's chief said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of friendship and cooperation '' between the two countries .
In 2006 , the U.S. Supreme Court ruled U.S. President George W. Bush did n't have authority , under military law or the Geneva Conventions , to set up military tribunals for terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba .
In 2009 , Bernard Madoff , mastermind of a multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme , was sentenced to 150 years in prison .
The federal judge who imposed the sentence in New York City said Madoff 's crimes were `` extraordinarily evil . ''
Madoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I am responsible for a great deal of suffering and pain . ''
In 2017 , Iraqi forces captured Mosul 's Great Mosque of al-Nuri , the mostly destroyed structure where Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is believed to have declared a `` caliphate '' exactly three years earlier .

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Flames from the solid rocket boosters lit up the clouds of smoke and steam trailing behind shuttle Atlantis on May 19, 2000, as it lifted off on mission STS-101. On June 29, 1995, the U.S. shuttle Atlantis docked with the Russian space station Mir for the first time. UPI File Photo | License Photo
On this date in history: In 1853, the U.S. Senate ratified the $10 million Gadsden Purchase from Mexico, adding more than 29,000 square miles to the territories of Arizona and New Mexico and completing the modern geographical boundaries of the contiguous 48 states. Advertisement
In 1933, Fatty Arbuckle, silent film comedian and one of Hollywood's most beloved personalities until a manslaughter charge (he was eventually acquitted) ruined his career, died while preparing a comeback. He was 46.
In 1972, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that capital punishment, as then administered by individual states, was unconstitutional.
File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
In 1974, Isabel Peron took over as president of Argentina for her ailing husband, Juan Peron, who died two days later. Her official presidency began July 1, 1974.
In 1992, doctors in Pittsburgh reported the world's first transplant of a baboon liver into a human patient. The recipient, a 35-year-old man, survived three months.
In 1995, a Seoul department store collapsed, killing some 500 people.
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In 1995, the U.S. shuttle Atlantis docked with the Russian space station Mir for the first time. NASA's chief said the docking marked "a new era of friendship and cooperation" between the two countries.
In 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled U.S. President George W. Bush didn't have authority, under military law or the Geneva Conventions, to set up military tribunals for terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
File Photo by Ezra Kaplan/UPI
In 2009, Bernard Madoff, mastermind of a multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme, was sentenced to 150 years in prison. The federal judge who imposed the sentence in New York City said Madoff's crimes were "extraordinarily evil." Madoff apologized in the courtroom, saying, "I am responsible for a great deal of suffering and pain."
In 2017, Iraqi forces captured Mosul's Great Mosque of al-Nuri, the mostly destroyed structure where Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is believed to have declared a "caliphate" exactly three years earlier.
File Photo courtesy of STR/EPA


upi--2020-06-29--Famous birthdays for June 29: Lily Rabe, Camila Mendes

June 29 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Cancer .
-- William @ @ @ @ @ Mayo Clinic in Rochester , Minn. , in 1861 -- Astronomer George Ellery Hale , @ @ @ @ @ Mount Palomar observatories , in 1868

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Lily Rabe arrives on the red carpet for the "The Apollo" screening at the Tribeca Film Festival at The Apollo Theater on April 24, 2019 in New York City. The actor turns 38 on June 29. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 29 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Cancer. They include: Advertisement
-- William Mayo, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., in 1861
-- Astronomer George Ellery Hale, founder of the Yerkes and Mount Palomar observatories, in 1868
-- French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery in 1900
-- Actor/singer Nelson Eddy in 1901
-- Broadway songwriter Frank Loesser in 1910
-- Actor Slim Pickens in 1919
-- Filmmaker Ray Harryhausen in 1920
-- "Black power" advocate Stokely Carmichael in 1941
-- Singer Little Eva, born Eva Narcissus Boyd, in 1943
-- Actor Gary Busey in 1944 (age 76)
-- Comedian Richard Lewis in 1947 (age 73)
File Photo by David Silpa/UPI
-- Actor/former U.S. Rep. Fred Grandy, R-Iowa, in 1948 (age 72)
-- Actor Sharon Lawrence in 1961 (age 59)
-- Musician/actor Bret McKenzie in 1976 (age 44)
-- Singer Nicole Scherzinger in 1978 (age 42)
-- Radio/TV personality Charlamagne Tha God, born Lenard McKelvey, in 1978 (age 42)
-- Comedian Colin Jost in 1982 (age 38)
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-- Actor Lily Rabe in 1982 (age 38)
-- Actor Camila Mendes in 1994 (age 26)
File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI
Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI


upi--2020-06-29--Chesapeake Energy files for bankruptcy protection

June 29 ( UPI ) -- The Chesapeake Energy Corporation , which made its name drilling shale for natural gas in the United States , announced it has filed for bankruptcy protection .
The Oklahoma-based company said in a statement Sunday that it has filed for Chapter 11 protection in the southern district of Texas to `` facilitate a comprehensive balance sheet restructuring . ''
The process will be used to `` strengthen '' its balance sheet and to achieve a `` more sustainable capital structure '' by restructuring its legacy contractual obligations , it said .
The company has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low oil and natural gas prices but the environment has worsened even further recently amid the coronavirus pandemic , it said .
In May , the company released its quarterly report for the three months ending March 31 and said it asked advisors to evaluate how to go forward , including the possibility of filing for bankruptcy , warning that `` there can be no assurances that the company will be able to successfully restructure its indebtedness , improve its financial position or complete any strategic transactions . ''
In the statement Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will eliminate $ 7 billion in debt .
It also secured $ 925 million in debtor-in-possession financing from lenders to float operations during the reorganization process and it has the backstop support of $ 600 million while agreeing with lenders to a $ 2.5 billion exit financing plan .
`` We are fundamentally resetting Chesapeake 's capital structure and business to address our legacy financial weaknesses and capitalize on our substantial operational strengths , '' said Doug Lawler , Chesapeake 's president and CEO .
`` By eliminating approximately $ 7 billion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have hindered our performance , we are positioning Chesapeake to capitalize on our diverse operating platform and proven track record of improving capital and operating efficiencies and technical excellence . ''
Chesapeake Energy was founded in 1989 and became known for its horizontal drilling into shale for natural gas , which vaulted it to become a name in the U.S. gas industry .
However , the company incurred much debt over the past decade to fund expansion amid a time of slumping gas prices .
In the May statement , the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and natural gas were worsened by the coronavirus pandemic and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries ' decision in March to further reduce prices while increasing production .
`` These industry conditions , coupled with those resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic , are expected to lead to significant global economic contraction generally and in our industry in particular , '' it said .
The bankruptcy follows the publication of a report last week by multinational accounting service Deloitte forecasting a `` great compression '' in the U.S. shale industry , stating the industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many companies likely to go bankrupt .

June 29 (UPI) -- The Chesapeake Energy Corporation, which made its name drilling shale for natural gas in the United States, announced it has filed for bankruptcy protection.
The Oklahoma-based company said in a statement Sunday that it has filed for Chapter 11 protection in the southern district of Texas to "facilitate a comprehensive balance sheet restructuring."
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The process will be used to "strengthen" its balance sheet and to achieve a "more sustainable capital structure" by restructuring its legacy contractual obligations, it said.
The company has been dealing with mounting debt due to low oil and natural gas prices but the environment has worsened even further recently amid the coronavirus pandemic, it said.
In May, the company released its quarterly report for the three months ending March 31 and said it asked advisors to evaluate how to go forward, including the possibility of filing for bankruptcy, warning that "there can be no assurances that the company will be able to successfully restructure its indebtedness, improve its financial position or complete any strategic transactions."
In the statement Sunday, Chesapeake Energy said its reorganization plan will eliminate $7 billion in debt.
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It also secured $925 million in debtor-in-possession financing from lenders to float operations during the reorganization process and it has the backstop support of $600 million while agreeing with lenders to a $2.5 billion exit financing plan.
"We are fundamentally resetting Chesapeake's capital structure and business to address our legacy financial weaknesses and capitalize on our substantial operational strengths," said Doug Lawler, Chesapeake's president and CEO. "By eliminating approximately $7 billion of debt and addressing the legacy contractual obligations that have hindered our performance, we are positioning Chesapeake to capitalize on our diverse operating platform and proven track record of improving capital and operating efficiencies and technical excellence."
Chesapeake Energy was founded in 1989 and became known for its horizontal drilling into shale for natural gas, which vaulted it to become a name in the U.S. gas industry. However, the company incurred much debt over the past decade to fund expansion amid a time of slumping gas prices.
In the May statement, the company said the historically volatile prices of oil and natural gas were worsened by the coronavirus pandemic and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries' decision in March to further reduce prices while increasing production.
"These industry conditions, coupled with those resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, are expected to lead to significant global economic contraction generally and in our industry in particular," it said.
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The bankruptcy follows the publication of a report last week by multinational accounting service Deloitte forecasting a "great compression" in the U.S. shale industry, stating the industry is ripe for consolidation and contraction with many companies likely to go bankrupt.