upi--2020-06-22--Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law heads to Travers with eye on Kentucky Derby

June 22 ( UPI ) -- Tiz the Law was an easy winner in the Belmont Stakes , the highlight of weekend horse racing , and solidified his standing as the Kentucky Derby favorite , but Triple Crown winner American Pharoah could be coming from Japan to challenge him in the big race .
A `` new shooter '' emerged on the Oaks front as Gamine put on a performance that rivaled Tiz the Law in the Acorn at Belmont Park .
No Parole was an impressive winner sprinting in the Grade I Woody Stephens .
Much of the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was on the turf .
Royal Ascot is in the rear-view mirror and we all hope the hoopla , fashion and Royals will be able to return next year .
But there was nothing wrong with the racing even under COVID-19 pandemic restrictions .
We trust you 've followed our special coverage along the way .
Hong Kong staged its final Group races of the 2019-20 season but the jockey and trainer competitions are still hot .
Let 's jump right into it : The Road to the Triple Crown Tiz the Law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kentucky Derby -- and perhaps Triple Crown -- favorite with a romping victory in Saturday 's Belmont Stakes .
With Manny Franco riding , the New York-bred sat just off the pace , rallied to the front entering the stretch and kicked away smartly , winning by 3 3/4 lengths over Dr Post .
Max Player was third .
After chasing a solid pace , Tiz the Law finished the 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:46.53 , just a shade more than 1 second off the track record set by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I was pretty confident when we got to the seven-eighths pole , '' Franco said .
`` He was so kind and relaxed for me .
He was so comfortable and never got keen , so I think that was the key . ''
The Belmont , normally the final leg of racing 's Triple Crown , this year was shortened from 1 1/2 miles to 1 1/8 miles and serves as the first race in the series that will continue with the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby and conclude Oct. 3 with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trainer Barclay Tagg confirmed Sunday Tiz the Law came out of the Belmont in good order and that the Grade 1 Travers Stakes -- the `` Midsummer Derby '' -- at Saratoga , is the next target en route to the Kentucky Derby .
Meanwhile , he said , the colt will get the same tender , loving care all his horses enjoy .
For the next few days , Tagg said , Tiz the Law will walk the shed row .
`` The fourth day , we 'll take him out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see how he moves and how he is and if he eats up that night we 'll go to galloping .
And 10 days after that we 'll give him an easy breeze , a half-mile . ''
`` I 've never won the Travers and I want to win it , '' Tagg said .
`` It 's very important to me . ''
Tiz the Law , a son of Constitution , is owned by Sackatoga Stable , a 35-member syndicate .
Sackatoga and Tagg are the same team that campaigned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Preakness Stakes in 2003 , only to see him fall short of the Triple Crown on a rainy day at Belmont Park .
While Tiz the Law seems to be head and shoulders above most of the other Derby contenders -- save perhaps Santa Anita Derby winner Honor A.P .
-- a threat could be coming from across the Pacific .
Café Pharoah , a Kentucky-bred son of American Pharoah , on Sunday won the Unicorn Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse and cinched a first-place finish in the `` Japan Road to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Run for the Roses .
There was no doubt about it , either .
Starting from the outside gate in a field of 16 , Café Pharoah quickly raced into striking position behind the early leader , came to even terms shortly after entering the stretch and accelerated smoothly to win by 5 lengths .
He earned 40 points for the win , advancing his total to 70 -- enough that no other contender can catch him in the final event in the series .
Dieu du Vin , winner of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed well in the final furlong to take second in the Unicorn and second in the point standings , but was never a threat to the winner .
Café Pharoah now is undefeated in three starts .
He is nominated to the U.S .
Triple Crown races but his trainer , Noriyki Hori , is notoriously closed-mouthed about his planning and declined to comment about the colt 's chances of traveling to Louisville on the first Saturday in September .
Full Flat , a Speightstown colt making his first start since winning the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , finished sixth in the Unicorn .
The world traveler also was fifth in the TVG Breeders ' Cup Juvenile last fall at Santa Anita .
Out west at Santa Anita , Collusion Illusion may have raced his way back into the Triple Crown picture with a handy win in Saturday 's $ 100,000 Grade III Lazaro Barrera for 3-year-olds .
The heavy favorite in a field of just five tracked the early pace made by Ragtime Blues , blew by that one in the lane and won off by 3 1/4 lengths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 1/4 lengths to the good of Howbeit .
Collusion Illusion , a Florida-bred Twirling Candy colt , ran 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:16.03 .
Collusion Illusion has won four of his five starts , including the Grade II Best Pal at Del Mar .
In the fifth , he lost his rider at the start of the Grade I American Pharoah at Santa Anita in September .
After that mess , he was idle until May 15 , when he won a 6-furlongs allowance race at Santa Anita @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said winning trainer Mark Glatt .
`` He obviously followed up on his comeback race today .
He had me a little worried there at the top of the stretch , but I think he 's a pretty smart horse and Flavien has a lot of confidence in him .
He 's very athletic , there 's no wasted action in his stride . ''
Asked about the Kentucky Derby , Glatt admitted , `` It 's on our radar .
We paid the [ $ 3,000 ] late supplement .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I just wanted to get by today .
We 'll need to stretch him out and figure out how to get enough points . ''
The Road to the Oaks The word `` gamine '' means `` a girl with a mischievous , boyish charm . ''
That definition hardly covers the performance the filly of that name turned in Saturday in the $ 300,000 Grade I Longines Acorn for 3-year-old fillies at Belmont Park .
With John Velazquez up for trainer Bob Baffert , Gamine jumped right to the lead , kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 3/4 lengths .
Pleasant Orb and Water White eventually were along for second and third .
And despite drifting out a bit during the stretch run , Gamine missed Najran 's 17-year-old track record for 1 mile by just 0.31 second .
Gamine now is 3-for-3 with victories at Santa Anita , Oaklawn Park and Belmont Park and a lot of frequent flyer miles .
Her owner , Michael Lund Petersen , gave $ 1.8 million for the filly at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Mid-Atlantic 2-year-olds in training sale .
`` It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Baffert assistant Jimmy Barnes said .
`` Especially coming into a Grade I and for it being only her third start .
Johnny rode her right to the way we told him to go .
We told him to take advantage of her position and he certainly did .
`` I wanted to see her run the one turn just because of the way she runs , '' Barnes added .
`` Two turns , one turn , she can handle either one .
We 'll go home , give her a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her .
I can imagine something at Saratoga . ''
And the name makes perfect sense as she is by Into Mischief .
No Parole led from the start and took no prisoners in Saturday 's $ 250,000 Grade I Woody Stephens for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park , winning by 3 3/4 lengths .
Echo Town and Shoplifted filled out the trifecta with Mischevious Alex fourth and the favorite , Meru , completing the order of finish .
No Parole , a Violence colt , ran 7 furlongs on a fast track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ irons .
The Tom Amoss trainee started his career in Louisiana , winning at Fair Grounds and Delta Downs , before finishing eighth in the Grade II Rebel at Oaklawn Park .
Turned back to 6 furlongs , he easily won an Oaklawn allowance before heading for the Big Apple .
`` No Parole is a one-turn horse for sure , '' Amoss said .
`` We 'll get together with the ownership and we 'll sit down and map out a plan .
We 're very excited about his future and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November , '' referring to the Breeders ' Cup Sprint at Keeneland .
For all its woes -- and they 're legion -- Illinois racing still has Jean Elizabeth .
The 5-year-old , Illinois-bred daughter of Adios Charlie , trained by Larry Rivelli , ran her winning streak to eight Sunday with a front-running victory in the $ 125,000 [ Canadian ] Whimsical Stakes at Woodbine .
Never threatened , she won by 1 length over Painting with Summer Sunday third .
David Morgan had the ride and brought Jean Elizabeth home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` She 's a rocket , '' Moran said .
`` I was n't expecting her to be that quick with her ears pricked down the back .
She just pricks her ears and I think she just waits for a bit of company to go on again . ''
Decorated Invader ran right by pacesetting Proven Strategies in the stretch run of Saturday 's $ 150,000 Grade II Pennine Ridge Stakes for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park and streaked away to a 4 3/4 lengths victory .
Proven Strategies held second , 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Decorated Invader , a Declaration of War colt trained by Christophe Clement , won the Grade I Summer Stakes at Woodbine last September , then reported fourth in the Breeders ' Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita .
He won at Gulfstream Park in his comeback in March .
`` He 's been a top-class horse even last year , '' Clement said of Decorated Invader .
`` He was very unlucky in the Breeders ' Cup .
He won a Grade I in Canada .
He won at Gulfstream this year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 's good enough to do a mile , a mile and a quarter . ''
Winning jockey Joel Rosario agreed : `` I think the further he goes , he 'll go better .
He 's a big horse and he loves to run . ''
Three-year-old fillies contested Saturday 's $ 150,000 Grade III Wonder Again Stakes at Belmont Park but Sweet Melania had her four rivals all running for place money .
The American Pharoah filly went right to the front under Jose Ortiz and won by 1 1/2 lengths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finished second and third .
Sweet Melania won the Grade I JPMorgan Chase Jessamine Stakes at Keeneland last fall before finishing third in the Breeders ' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf .
The Wonder Again was her first start of 2020 .
`` We planned on giving her a little time off after the Breeders ' Cup and things went kind of crazy for a while , '' said Sweet Melania 's trainer , Todd Pletcher .
`` We did n't know where she would come back .
We knew a distance like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so when this race came out , we pointed towards this . ''
Pletcher said he will study the recently released Saratoga stakes schedule in search of a next race for the filly .
In Saturday 's $ 200,000 Grade II Wise Dan Stakes at Churchill Downs , Factor This battled long shot Ritzy A.P .
into submission , looked like a winner at mid-stretch , and then had to continue the fight to the finish , holding off the onrushing English Bee by a diminishing neck .
Parlor finished 3/4 length @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a 5-year-old son of The Factor , ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:41.15 with Shaun Bridgmohan riding .
Factor This , trained by Brad Cox , made it three straight wins , building on victories at Fair Grounds in the Grade III Fair Grounds Stakes and the Grade II Muniz Memorial .
`` We got a lot of pressure early and , once we sort of got into a rhythm , I tried to wait on him as much as possible , '' Bridgmohan said .
`` He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after getting that pressure early .
He has a lot of fight and determination .
He 's just getting better . ''
At Santa Anita on Saturday , odds-on favorite Toinette surrendered the early lead to Gypsy Spirit in the $ 100,000 Grade III Wilshire Stakes for fillies and mares , came back to put that one away and then outfinished late-running Red Lark by a comfortable 2 3/4 lengths .
Querelle was third .
Toinette , a 5-year-old Scat Daddy mare , ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:35.20 with Flavien @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the eighth time from 12 starts .
She was last seen finishing fourth in the Grade I Matriarch at Del Mar Dec. 1 .
On Sunday at the Great Race Place , Blitzkreig blitzed eight rivals in the $ 100,000 Grade III American Stakes .
Charging right out to the lead under Victor Espinoza , the 5-year-old War Front gelding got clear to a 3-lengths lead and coasted home first by 1 length .
Bowie 's Hero was second and Sharp Samurai and Souter dead-heated for third and fourth .
Blitzkreig finished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Oleksandra unleashed a devastating turn of foot through the stretch run of Saturday 's $ 250,000 Grade I Jaipur Stakes at Belmont Park , racing by all seven opponents and just nailing Kanthaka in the shadow of the wire for the victory .
Texas Wedge held the lead briefly at the top of the lane but settled for third .
Oleksandra , an Australian-bred mare by Animal Kingdom , ran 6 furlongs on the firm inner turf in 1:06.80 , just 0.06 second off the course record .
After starting her career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own in her second season in the United States , advancing from the allowance ranks to win the Grade III Buffalo Trace Franklin County at Keeneland last fall .
She returned with a second-place finish in the Monrovia Stakes at Santa Anita last month and was the only female in Saturday 's field .
Jockey Joel Rosario said Oleksandra was bumped at the start , but to little effect .
`` The fast pace was probably why I was further back , but she came with a great run in the end , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well together .
You just need to understand her and what she wants to do during the race . ''
Trainer Neil Drysdale said he will discuss next steps with Barry Irwin of the owning partnership Team Valor .
`` Obviously , her final call of the year would be the Breeders ' Cup at Keeneland , and she 's won there before , '' Drysdale said .
Sunday at Belmont Park , Bredenbury waited chilly behind pacesetting Chili Petin in the $ 80,000 Lady Shipman Stakes for 3-year-old fillies , went on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and won by 1 1/4 lengths .
She 's My Type was up for second with Miss J McKay third .
Bredenbury , an Irish-bred miss by Night of Thunder , ran 6 furlongs over the firm inner turf course , according to Equibase , in 1:07.21 -- a course-record time .
Raced earlier in England , she got her first American start in the Lady Shipman and Saez said he thinks she could handle a little more distance .
`` When I turned her loose , she gave a really good kick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ King took complete charge in the closing furlongs of Sunday 's $ 100,000 Grade III San Juan Capistrano at Santa Anita , surging quickly to the lead , then drawing off to win by 4 1/4 lengths .
Siberian Iris was second and the odds-on favorite , Ward ' n Jerry , settled for third after working hard early to take a sizeable lead .
Red King , a 6-year-old son of English Channel , ran 1 1/4 miles on firm turf in 2:46.67 with Umberto Rispoli riding .
`` It 's just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cool to win it , '' said Red King 's trainer , Phil D'Amato .
`` My horse won his last race and that picked his confidence up .
It looked like maybe the favorite moved a little soon and Umberto was in the right spot . ''
Field Pass led all the way around in Saturday 's $ 100,000 Audubon Stakes at Churchill Downs and won by 1 length over Bama Breeze .
Pixelate was third .
Field Pass , a Lemon Drop Kid colt , finished 9 furlongs on firm going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Field Pass now has won three of his last four starts , including the Grade III Jeff Ruby Steaks on the Turfway Park all-weather course .
`` He 's been a really nice horse this year for us , '' Maker said .
`` That was a nice victory and did everything very easy . ''
Indian Peak rallied to a short lead in the stretch in Saturday 's $ 150,000 Snow Chief Stakes for California-bred 3-year-olds at Santa Anita and held off California Kook to win by 1/2 length .
The favorite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way and finished third , another nose behind .
Indian Peak , a Comic Strip colt , got 9 furlongs on firm going in 1:48.11 with Mike Smith riding .
`` When you 've been claiming horses for $ 2,500 to run at Stockton for $ 4,000 , this is really special , '' said Indian Peak 's trainer , Quinn Howey .
My Storm Warrior was awarded the victory in Saturday 's $ 163,415 Mountain Top New Mexico-bred Thoroughbred Futurity at Ruidoso Downs when Fill the Bill was set down to third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The decision also elevated One Mark to the place position .
My Storm Warrior , an Attila 's Storm gelding , scored his first career win .
He was second in a June 6 trial heat for the Futurity .
Around the world , around the clock : In the eerie light of a waning solar eclipse , Dances With Dragon flew down the Sha Tin Racecourse straight to post a 17-1 upset win Sunday in the final Group race of the Hong Kong season , the Group 3 Premier Plate .
Dances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was making just his second start at the Group level after finishing sixth in the Lion Rock Trophy three weeks earlier .
And he was facing some tough cookies , including Southern Legend and Furore .
But with Keith Yeung up for trainer Caspar Fownes , Dances With Dragon came around the leaders on the turn , quickly surged to the front and drew off to win by 4 3/4 lengths .
Helene Leadingstar was second with 2019 BMW Hong Kong Derby winner Furore third .
Multiple Group 1 winner Southern Legend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late going to report fifth and More Than This , a hot 4-year-old prospect at the other end of the season , continuing his retreat , finishing sixth .
`` He 's won well but he was carrying no weight on his back , '' Fownes said , referring to the 113-pound impost .
`` He 's got a good spot and just sprinted away from them .
It does n't matter what he does now , he 's proven that he 's up to that level .
`` He 's done his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His first win was in Class 3 and now he 's got a Group 3 at his fourth win for me so I 'm very happy . ''
In the day 's second feature and penultimate Group race of the season , Jolly Banner captured the Group 3 Premier Cup Handicap for jockey Matthew Poon and trainer Ricky Yiu .
The win edged Yiu closer to his first trainer title , with a double taking his score to 61 wins -- five more than his closest rival , Tony Cruz .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very important , '' Yiu said .
Zac Purton extended his lead in the jockeys ' premiership to four wins thanks to a double .
The Australian has 132 to nearest rival Joao Moreira 's 128 .
Moreira had one winner on the day .
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs , N.Y. , has resumed work on its massive renovation project .
Started in Janauary and stopped in March because of the COVID-19 shutdown , the renovation still is expected to be done by year 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new Race Day Gallery will provide an insider 's virtual view of a day at the races .
The Hall of Fame will be digital and interactive with a 360-degree visual experience and 6-foot touchscreen monitors .

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After winning the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, Tiz the Law is a string candidate for the Kentucky Derby. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 22 (UPI) -- Tiz the Law was an easy winner in the Belmont Stakes, the highlight of weekend horse racing, and solidified his standing as the Kentucky Derby favorite, but Triple Crown winner American Pharoah could be coming from Japan to challenge him in the big race. A "new shooter" emerged on the Oaks front as Gamine put on a performance that rivaled Tiz the Law in the Acorn at Belmont Park. Advertisement
No Parole was an impressive winner sprinting in the Grade I Woody Stephens. Much of the rest of the weekend action in North America was on the turf.
Royal Ascot is in the rear-view mirror and we all hope the hoopla, fashion and Royals will be able to return next year. But there was nothing wrong with the racing even under COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. We trust you've followed our special coverage along the way.
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Hong Kong staged its final Group races of the 2019-20 season but the jockey and trainer competitions are still hot.
Let's jump right into it:
The Road to the Triple Crown
Tiz the Law confirmed his status as this year's Kentucky Derby -- and perhaps Triple Crown -- favorite with a romping victory in Saturday's Belmont Stakes.
With Manny Franco riding, the New York-bred sat just off the pace, rallied to the front entering the stretch and kicked away smartly, winning by 3 3/4 lengths over Dr Post. Max Player was third.
After chasing a solid pace, Tiz the Law finished the 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:46.53, just a shade more than 1 second off the track record set by Secretariat in the 1973 Marlboro Cup.
"I was pretty confident when we got to the seven-eighths pole," Franco said. "He was so kind and relaxed for me. He was so comfortable and never got keen, so I think that was the key."
The Belmont, normally the final leg of racing's Triple Crown, this year was shortened from 1 1/2 miles to 1 1/8 miles and serves as the first race in the series that will continue with the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby and conclude Oct. 3 with the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.
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Trainer Barclay Tagg confirmed Sunday Tiz the Law came out of the Belmont in good order and that the Grade 1 Travers Stakes -- the "Midsummer Derby" -- at Saratoga, is the next target en route to the Kentucky Derby. Meanwhile, he said, the colt will get the same tender, loving care all his horses enjoy.
For the next few days, Tagg said, Tiz the Law will walk the shed row. "The fourth day, we'll take him out and jog him once around backwards to see how he moves and how he is and if he eats up that night we'll go to galloping. And 10 days after that we'll give him an easy breeze, a half-mile."
"I've never won the Travers and I want to win it," Tagg said. "It's very important to me."
Tiz the Law, a son of Constitution, is owned by Sackatoga Stable, a 35-member syndicate. Sackatoga and Tagg are the same team that campaigned Funny Cide to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 2003, only to see him fall short of the Triple Crown on a rainy day at Belmont Park.
While Tiz the Law seems to be head and shoulders above most of the other Derby contenders -- save perhaps Santa Anita Derby winner Honor A.P. -- a threat could be coming from across the Pacific.
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Café Pharoah, a Kentucky-bred son of American Pharoah, on Sunday won the Unicorn Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse and cinched a first-place finish in the "Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby" -- an automatic bid to the Run for the Roses.
There was no doubt about it, either. Starting from the outside gate in a field of 16, Café Pharoah quickly raced into striking position behind the early leader, came to even terms shortly after entering the stretch and accelerated smoothly to win by 5 lengths.
He earned 40 points for the win, advancing his total to 70 -- enough that no other contender can catch him in the final event in the series.
Dieu du Vin, winner of the first leg of the series, closed well in the final furlong to take second in the Unicorn and second in the point standings, but was never a threat to the winner.
Café Pharoah now is undefeated in three starts. He is nominated to the U.S. Triple Crown races but his trainer, Noriyki Hori, is notoriously closed-mouthed about his planning and declined to comment about the colt's chances of traveling to Louisville on the first Saturday in September.
Full Flat, a Speightstown colt making his first start since winning the Saudi Derby on Feb. 29 in Riyadh, finished sixth in the Unicorn. The world traveler also was fifth in the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile last fall at Santa Anita.
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Out west at Santa Anita, Collusion Illusion may have raced his way back into the Triple Crown picture with a handy win in Saturday's $100,000 Grade III Lazaro Barrera for 3-year-olds.
The heavy favorite in a field of just five tracked the early pace made by Ragtime Blues, blew by that one in the lane and won off by 3 1/4 lengths. Ragtime Blues held second, another 3 1/4 lengths to the good of Howbeit. Collusion Illusion, a Florida-bred Twirling Candy colt, ran 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:16.03.
Collusion Illusion has won four of his five starts, including the Grade II Best Pal at Del Mar. In the fifth, he lost his rider at the start of the Grade I American Pharoah at Santa Anita in September. After that mess, he was idle until May 15, when he won a 6-furlongs allowance race at Santa Anita.
"He's pretty good," said winning trainer Mark Glatt. "He obviously followed up on his comeback race today. He had me a little worried there at the top of the stretch, but I think he's a pretty smart horse and Flavien has a lot of confidence in him. He's very athletic, there's no wasted action in his stride."
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Asked about the Kentucky Derby, Glatt admitted, "It's on our radar. We paid the [$3,000] late supplement. I don't know what's next. I just wanted to get by today. We'll need to stretch him out and figure out how to get enough points."
The Road to the Oaks
The word "gamine" means "a girl with a mischievous, boyish charm." That definition hardly covers the performance the filly of that name turned in Saturday in the $300,000 Grade I Longines Acorn for 3-year-old fillies at Belmont Park.
With John Velazquez up for trainer Bob Baffert, Gamine jumped right to the lead, kept finding more and was home first by 18 3/4 lengths. Pleasant Orb and Water White eventually were along for second and third.
And despite drifting out a bit during the stretch run, Gamine missed Najran's 17-year-old track record for 1 mile by just 0.31 second.
Gamine now is 3-for-3 with victories at Santa Anita, Oaklawn Park and Belmont Park and a lot of frequent flyer miles. Her owner, Michael Lund Petersen, gave $1.8 million for the filly at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Mid-Atlantic 2-year-olds in training sale.
"It was an amazing race out of her," Baffert assistant Jimmy Barnes said. "Especially coming into a Grade I and for it being only her third start. Johnny rode her right to the way we told him to go. We told him to take advantage of her position and he certainly did.
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"I wanted to see her run the one turn just because of the way she runs," Barnes added. "Two turns, one turn, she can handle either one. We'll go home, give her a little time and see what's next for her. I can imagine something at Saratoga."
And the name makes perfect sense as she is by Into Mischief.
Sprint
No Parole led from the start and took no prisoners in Saturday's $250,000 Grade I Woody Stephens for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park, winning by 3 3/4 lengths. Echo Town and Shoplifted filled out the trifecta with Mischevious Alex fourth and the favorite, Meru, completing the order of finish.
No Parole, a Violence colt, ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:21.41 with Luis Saez in the irons. The Tom Amoss trainee started his career in Louisiana, winning at Fair Grounds and Delta Downs, before finishing eighth in the Grade II Rebel at Oaklawn Park.
Turned back to 6 furlongs, he easily won an Oaklawn allowance before heading for the Big Apple.
"No Parole is a one-turn horse for sure," Amoss said. "We'll get together with the ownership and we'll sit down and map out a plan. We're very excited about his future and we're already thinking about the first weekend in November," referring to the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland.
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Filly & Mare Sprint
For all its woes -- and they're legion -- Illinois racing still has Jean Elizabeth. The 5-year-old, Illinois-bred daughter of Adios Charlie, trained by Larry Rivelli, ran her winning streak to eight Sunday with a front-running victory in the $125,000 [Canadian] Whimsical Stakes at Woodbine.
Never threatened, she won by 1 length over Painting with Summer Sunday third. David Morgan had the ride and brought Jean Elizabeth home in 1:09.86 over the all-weather surface.
"She's a rocket," Moran said. "I wasn't expecting her to be that quick with her ears pricked down the back. She just pricks her ears and I think she just waits for a bit of company to go on again."
Turf Mile
Decorated Invader ran right by pacesetting Proven Strategies in the stretch run of Saturday's $150,000 Grade II Pennine Ridge Stakes for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park and streaked away to a 4 3/4 lengths victory. Proven Strategies held second, 1 3/4 lengths better than Mr. Kringle.
Decorated Invader, a Declaration of War colt trained by Christophe Clement, won the Grade I Summer Stakes at Woodbine last September, then reported fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita. He won at Gulfstream Park in his comeback in March.
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"He's been a top-class horse even last year," Clement said of Decorated Invader. "He was very unlucky in the Breeders' Cup. He won a Grade I in Canada. He won at Gulfstream this year. He won one today and I think he's good enough to do a mile, a mile and a quarter."
Winning jockey Joel Rosario agreed: "I think the further he goes, he'll go better. He's a big horse and he loves to run."
Three-year-old fillies contested Saturday's $150,000 Grade III Wonder Again Stakes at Belmont Park but Sweet Melania had her four rivals all running for place money.
The American Pharoah filly went right to the front under Jose Ortiz and won by 1 1/2 lengths, unchallenged. Highland Glory and Antoinette finished second and third.
Sweet Melania won the Grade I JPMorgan Chase Jessamine Stakes at Keeneland last fall before finishing third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. The Wonder Again was her first start of 2020.
"We planned on giving her a little time off after the Breeders' Cup and things went kind of crazy for a while," said Sweet Melania's trainer, Todd Pletcher. "We didn't know where she would come back. We knew a distance like a mile was what we were looking for, so when this race came out, we pointed towards this."
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Pletcher said he will study the recently released Saratoga stakes schedule in search of a next race for the filly.
In Saturday's $200,000 Grade II Wise Dan Stakes at Churchill Downs, Factor This battled long shot Ritzy A.P. into submission, looked like a winner at mid-stretch, and then had to continue the fight to the finish, holding off the onrushing English Bee by a diminishing neck. Parlor finished 3/4 length farther back in third.
Factor This, a 5-year-old son of The Factor, ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:41.15 with Shaun Bridgmohan riding.
Factor This, trained by Brad Cox, made it three straight wins, building on victories at Fair Grounds in the Grade III Fair Grounds Stakes and the Grade II Muniz Memorial.
"We got a lot of pressure early and, once we sort of got into a rhythm, I tried to wait on him as much as possible," Bridgmohan said. "He was still able to hold off the charge after getting that pressure early. He has a lot of fight and determination. He's just getting better."
At Santa Anita on Saturday, odds-on favorite Toinette surrendered the early lead to Gypsy Spirit in the $100,000 Grade III Wilshire Stakes for fillies and mares, came back to put that one away and then outfinished late-running Red Lark by a comfortable 2 3/4 lengths. Querelle was third. Toinette, a 5-year-old Scat Daddy mare, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:35.20 with Flavien Prat in the irons.
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Toinette won for the eighth time from 12 starts. She was last seen finishing fourth in the Grade I Matriarch at Del Mar Dec. 1.
On Sunday at the Great Race Place, Blitzkreig blitzed eight rivals in the $100,000 Grade III American Stakes. Charging right out to the lead under Victor Espinoza, the 5-year-old War Front gelding got clear to a 3-lengths lead and coasted home first by 1 length.
Bowie's Hero was second and Sharp Samurai and Souter dead-heated for third and fourth. Blitzkreig finished 1 mile on firm going in 1:33.46.
Turf Sprint
Oleksandra unleashed a devastating turn of foot through the stretch run of Saturday's $250,000 Grade I Jaipur Stakes at Belmont Park, racing by all seven opponents and just nailing Kanthaka in the shadow of the wire for the victory.
Texas Wedge held the lead briefly at the top of the lane but settled for third. Oleksandra, an Australian-bred mare by Animal Kingdom, ran 6 furlongs on the firm inner turf in 1:06.80, just 0.06 second off the course record.
After starting her career Down Under, Oleksandra came into her own in her second season in the United States, advancing from the allowance ranks to win the Grade III Buffalo Trace Franklin County at Keeneland last fall.
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She returned with a second-place finish in the Monrovia Stakes at Santa Anita last month and was the only female in Saturday's field.
Jockey Joel Rosario said Oleksandra was bumped at the start, but to little effect. "The fast pace was probably why I was further back, but she came with a great run in the end," he added. "We do well together. You just need to understand her and what she wants to do during the race."
Trainer Neil Drysdale said he will discuss next steps with Barry Irwin of the owning partnership Team Valor. "Obviously, her final call of the year would be the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland, and she's won there before," Drysdale said.
Sunday at Belmont Park, Bredenbury waited chilly behind pacesetting Chili Petin in the $80,000 Lady Shipman Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, went on by when prompted by jockey Luis Saez and won by 1 1/4 lengths.
She's My Type was up for second with Miss J McKay third. Bredenbury, an Irish-bred miss by Night of Thunder, ran 6 furlongs over the firm inner turf course, according to Equibase, in 1:07.21 -- a course-record time.
Raced earlier in England, she got her first American start in the Lady Shipman and Saez said he thinks she could handle a little more distance. "When I turned her loose, she gave a really good kick," the rider said.
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Turf
Red King took complete charge in the closing furlongs of Sunday's $100,000 Grade III San Juan Capistrano at Santa Anita, surging quickly to the lead, then drawing off to win by 4 1/4 lengths.
Siberian Iris was second and the odds-on favorite, Ward 'n Jerry, settled for third after working hard early to take a sizeable lead. Red King, a 6-year-old son of English Channel, ran 1 1/4 miles on firm turf in 2:46.67 with Umberto Rispoli riding.
"It's just an amazing race and it's really cool to win it," said Red King's trainer, Phil D'Amato. "My horse won his last race and that picked his confidence up. It looked like maybe the favorite moved a little soon and Umberto was in the right spot."
Field Pass led all the way around in Saturday's $100,000 Audubon Stakes at Churchill Downs and won by 1 length over Bama Breeze. Pixelate was third. Field Pass, a Lemon Drop Kid colt, finished 9 furlongs on firm going in 1:47.99 for jockey Tyler Gaffalione.
Field Pass now has won three of his last four starts, including the Grade III Jeff Ruby Steaks on the Turfway Park all-weather course.
"He's been a really nice horse this year for us," Maker said. "That was a nice victory and did everything very easy."
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Indian Peak rallied to a short lead in the stretch in Saturday's $150,000 Snow Chief Stakes for California-bred 3-year-olds at Santa Anita and held off California Kook to win by 1/2 length.
The favorite, Margot's Boy, led the way and finished third, another nose behind. Indian Peak, a Comic Strip colt, got 9 furlongs on firm going in 1:48.11 with Mike Smith riding.
"When you've been claiming horses for $2,500 to run at Stockton for $4,000, this is really special," said Indian Peak's trainer, Quinn Howey.
Juvenile
My Storm Warrior was awarded the victory in Saturday's $163,415 Mountain Top New Mexico-bred Thoroughbred Futurity at Ruidoso Downs when Fill the Bill was set down to third for interference in the stretch run. The decision also elevated One Mark to the place position.
My Storm Warrior, an Attila's Storm gelding, scored his first career win. He was second in a June 6 trial heat for the Futurity.
Around the world, around the clock:
Hong Kong
In the eerie light of a waning solar eclipse, Dances With Dragon flew down the Sha Tin Racecourse straight to post a 17-1 upset win Sunday in the final Group race of the Hong Kong season, the Group 3 Premier Plate.
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Dances With Dragon, a 6-year-old New Zealand-bred, was making just his second start at the Group level after finishing sixth in the Lion Rock Trophy three weeks earlier. And he was facing some tough cookies, including Southern Legend and Furore.
But with Keith Yeung up for trainer Caspar Fownes, Dances With Dragon came around the leaders on the turn, quickly surged to the front and drew off to win by 4 3/4 lengths.
Helene Leadingstar was second with 2019 BMW Hong Kong Derby winner Furore third. Multiple Group 1 winner Southern Legend led early but slipped back in the late going to report fifth and More Than This, a hot 4-year-old prospect at the other end of the season, continuing his retreat, finishing sixth.
"He's won well but he was carrying no weight on his back," Fownes said, referring to the 113-pound impost. "He's got a good spot and just sprinted away from them. It doesn't matter what he does now, he's proven that he's up to that level.
"He's done his job as far as I'm concerned. His first win was in Class 3 and now he's got a Group 3 at his fourth win for me so I'm very happy."
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In the day's second feature and penultimate Group race of the season, Jolly Banner captured the Group 3 Premier Cup Handicap for jockey Matthew Poon and trainer Ricky Yiu.
The win edged Yiu closer to his first trainer title, with a double taking his score to 61 wins -- five more than his closest rival, Tony Cruz. "It's encouraging. That win's very important," Yiu said.
Zac Purton extended his lead in the jockeys' premiership to four wins thanks to a double. The Australian has 132 to nearest rival Joao Moreira's 128. Moreira had one winner on the day.
News and notes
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., has resumed work on its massive renovation project. Started in Janauary and stopped in March because of the COVID-19 shutdown, the renovation still is expected to be done by year's end.
When up and running, a new Race Day Gallery will provide an insider's virtual view of a day at the races. The Hall of Fame will be digital and interactive with a 360-degree visual experience and 6-foot touchscreen monitors.


upi--2020-06-22--NASCAR investigating after noose found in Bubba Wallace's garage

June 22 ( UPI ) -- NASCAR has launched an investigation after a noose was found in driver Bubba Wallace 's garage at Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln , Ala. Wallace is the only black driver in the Cup Series .
NASCAR said the flag was found in the garage stall Sunday afternoon before the Geico 500 was postponed due to a rain delay .
The incident occurred two weeks after Wallace successfully pushed the sport to ban the Confederate flag from its track and facilities .
`` [ Sunday 's ] despicable act of racism and hatred leaves me incredibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of how much further we have to go as a society and how persistent we must be in the fight against racism , '' Wallace wrote on Twitter .
`` Over the last several weeks , I have been overwhelmed by the support from people across the NASCAR industry , including other drivers and team members in the garage .
Together , our sport has made a commitment to driving real change and championing a community that is accepting and welcoming of everyone .
`` Nothing is more important and we will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who seek to spread hate .
As my mother told me today , `` they are just trying to scare you . ''
This will not break me , I will not give in nor will I back down .
I will continue to proudly stand for what I believe in . ''
Sources told ESPN a member of Wallace 's racing team found the noose and informed NASCAR .
NASCAR told Fox Sports it will work with law enforcement in its investigation .
`` We are angry and outraged , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we take this heinous act , '' NASCAR said in a statement .
`` We have launched an immediate investigation , and will do everything we can to identify the person ( s ) responsible and eliminate them from the sport .
`` As we have stated unequivocally , there is no place for racism in NASCAR , and this act only strengthens our resolve to make the sport open and welcoming to all . ''
NASCAR banned the Confederate flag before the June 14 Dixie Vodka 400 in Homestead , Fla. No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to coronavirus pandemic safety precautions , but 1,000 military members were in attendance .
Up to 5,000 fans were allowed into Talladega Sunday before the race was pushed to Monday .
Only NASCAR crew members , NASCAR officials , safety workers and essential personnel were permitted to have access to the garage areas .
A small of protest took place outside of the entrance to the track , with vehicles flying the flag as they drove by the entrance .
A plane flew over the track while it pulled a banner , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words `` Defund NASCAR . ''
NASCAR executive vice president Steve O'Donnell acknowledged the plane 's pilot on Twitter .
He also posted a photo of black and white hands shaking .
`` You wo n't see a photo of a [ expletive ] flying a flag over the track here , but you will see this .
Hope everyone enjoys the race . ''
Wallace , 26 , has been one of the most-prominent voices in the sport in response to the death of George Floyd .
He has also worn Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lives Matter paint scheme on his No .
43 Chevrolet .
Wallace told CNN on June 8 about his push for the sport to ban the Confederate flag .
NASCAR banned the flag two days later .
The Geico 500 will start at 3 p.m. EDT Monday at Talladega .

NASCAR drivers showed support by pushing the car of Bubba Wallace, the only black driver in NASCAR's Cup Series, to the top spot in the grid at Talladega Superspeedway after a noose was found in his garage bay on Sunday. File Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo
June 22 (UPI) -- Fellow NASCAR drivers showed their support for Bubba Wallace at Talladega Superspeedway on Monday by standing beside Wallace during the national anthem and then pushing his car to the front of the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series race. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and other federal authorities have launched an investigation after a noose was found in Wallace's garage No. 43 Sunday at the racetrack in Lincoln, Ala. Advertisement
"No words," tweeted Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR's executive vice president, which accompanied a video of dozens of drivers pushing Wallace's car up the track.
Wallace, 26, is the only black driver in the Cup Series. He has been one of the most-prominent voices in the sport in response to the death of George Floyd. He has also worn Black Lives Matter shirts and had a Black Lives Matter paint scheme on his No. 43 Chevrolet.
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Team owner Richard Petty, 82, Wallace's sponsor, also supported Wallace in the pit.
"I'm enraged by the act of someone placing a noose in the garage stall of my race team. There is absolutely no place in our sport or our society for racism," Petty said in a statement Monday, calling the threat a "filthy act" and despicable.
"The sick person who perpetrated this act must be found, exposed, and swiftly and immediately expelled from NASCAR. I believe in my heart this despicable act is not representative of the competitors I see each day in the NASCAR garage area. I stand shoulder to shoulder with Bubba, yesterday, today, tomorrow and every day forward," Petty said.
NASCAR -- which also launched an investigation -- said the noose was found in the garage stall Sunday afternoon before the Geico 500 was postponed due to a rain delay.
"The U.S. Attorney's office for the Northern District of Alabama, FBI and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division are reviewing the situation surrounding the noose that was found in Bubba Wallace's garage to determine whether there are violations of federal law," U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town said Monday in a statement.
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"Regardless of whether federal charges can be brought, this type of action has no place in our society."
"[Sunday's] despicable act of racism and hatred leaves me incredibly saddened and serves as a painful reminder of how much further we have to go as a society and how persistent we must be in the fight against racism," Wallace wrote on Twitter.
"Over the last several weeks, I have been overwhelmed by the support from people across the NASCAR industry, including other drivers and team members in the garage. Together, our sport has made a commitment to driving real change and championing a community that is accepting and welcoming of everyone.
"Nothing is more important and we will not be deterred by the reprehensible actions of those who seek to spread hate. As my mother told me today, "they are just trying to scare you." This will not break me, I will not give in nor will I back down. I will continue to proudly stand for what I believe in."
Sources told ESPN a member of Wallace's racing team found the noose and informed NASCAR. NASCAR told Fox Sports it will work with law enforcement in its investigation. NASCAR President Steve Phelps said Monday that whoever placed the noose in the garage would receive a lifetime ban from NASCAR events, if they are found.
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"We are angry and outraged, and cannot state strongly enough how seriously we take this heinous act," NASCAR said in a statement. "We have launched an immediate investigation, and will do everything we can to identify the person(s) responsible and eliminate them from the sport.
"As we have stated unequivocally, there is no place for racism in NASCAR, and this act only strengthens our resolve to make the sport open and welcoming to all."
NASCAR banned the Confederate flag before the June 14 Dixie Vodka 400 in Homestead, Fla. No fans were allowed to attend that race due to coronavirus pandemic safety precautions, but 1,000 military members were in attendance. Up to 5,000 fans were allowed into Talladega Sunday before the race was pushed to Monday.
Only NASCAR crew members, NASCAR officials, safety workers and essential personnel were permitted to have access to the garage areas.
A small protest took place outside of the entrance to the track, with vehicles flying the flag as they drove by the entrance. A plane flew over the track while it pulled a banner, which included a Confederate flag and the words "Defund NASCAR."
NASCAR executive vice president Steve O'Donnell acknowledged the plane's pilot on Twitter. He also posted a photo of black and white hands shaking.
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"You won't see a photo of a [expletive] flying a flag over the track here, but you will see this. Hope everyone enjoys the race."
Wallace told CNN on June 8 about his push for the sport to ban the Confederate flag. NASCAR banned the flag two days later.
Many athletes and fellow NASCAR drivers voiced support for Wallace Sunday and Monday.
"Sickening! Bubba Wallace, my brother," LeBron James tweeted. "Know you don't stand alone! I'm right here with you as well as every other athlete."
The Geico 500 will start at 3 p.m. EDT Monday at Talladega.


upi--2020-06-22--Watch: 'Hamilton' takes the stage in new Disney+ trailer

June 22 ( UPI ) -- Lin-Manuel Miranda is Alexander Hamilton once again in the first trailer for Disney+ 's @ @ @ @ @ blockbuster Hamilton .
The trailer highlights how the stage play was filmed cinematically for its @ @ @ @ @ July 3 .
Miranda is joined by the original Hamilton cast including Daveed Diggs as @ @ @ @ @ Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr , Renee Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler and more .
@ @ @ @ @ of America then , told by America now .
Featuring a score that blends hip-hop @ @ @ @ @ B and Broadway , Hamilton has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton @ @ @ @ @ in theatre -a musical that has had a profound impact on culture , politics and @ @ @ @ @ synopsis .
The project was filmed at The Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in June @ @ @ @ @ going to release Hamilton on Oct. 15 , 2021 but moved up the release date @

June 22 (UPI) -- Lin-Manuel Miranda is Alexander Hamilton once again in the first trailer for Disney+'s upcoming filmed version of Broadway blockbuster Hamilton.
The trailer highlights how the stage play was filmed cinematically for its Disney+ version which launches on July 3.
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Miranda is joined by the original Hamilton cast including Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette, Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr, Renee Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler and more.
"Hamilton is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, Hamilton has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre -a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics and education," reads the synopsis.
The project was filmed at The Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in June 2016.
Disney was originally going to release Hamilton on Oct. 15, 2021 but moved up the release date.
Hamilton won 11 Tony Awards including Best Musical.


upi--2020-06-22--One of three killed in Britain stabbing attack identified as American man

June 22 ( UPI ) -- An American man has been identified as one of the three people killed during a stabbing spree in a British city over the weekend , which police are investigating as a terrorist incident .
Joe Ritchie-Bennett , 39 , originally from Philadelphia , was among the victims of the Saturday attack at a park in Reading , his family told the Philadelphia Inquirer .
They said Ritchie-Bennett moved to Britain about 15 years ago and worked for a Dutch pharmaceutical company with offices in the city , located about 40 miles west of London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always have .
I always will , '' Robert Ritchie , a captain in the Philadelphia Police Department said of his brother .
`` He was a great guy .
He was four years younger than me .
I had a paper route at 12 and he helped me every day .
I used to buy him something every two weeks to thank him . ''
A 25-year-old refugee from Libya was arrested on suspicion of murder at his apartment a short distance from the scene of the attack .
British history teacher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and three others were seriously wounded in the incident .
The Telegraph reported the suspect was known to the MI5 security service and remained under questioning early Monday .
British Home Secretary Priti Patel has visited the park Monday morning to pay her respects and lay flowers at the site of the attack .
She was expected to make a statement about in the attack in Parliament .
`` This evening we saw a senseless attack on people simply enjoying a Saturday evening with family and friends , '' Patel said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , prayers and thoughts are with all of those affected and to the people of Reading who will be deeply shocked and concerned by this terrible incident . ''

Police stand guard outside an apartment believed to be the home of the man who attacked three people in Reading, Britain, on Saturday. Photo by Andy Rain/EPA-EFE
June 22 (UPI) -- An American man has been identified as one of the three people killed during a stabbing spree in a British city over the weekend, which police are investigating as a terrorist incident. Joe Ritchie-Bennett, 39, originally from Philadelphia, was among the victims of the Saturday attack at a park in Reading, his family told the Philadelphia Inquirer. Advertisement
They said Ritchie-Bennett moved to Britain about 15 years ago and worked for a Dutch pharmaceutical company with offices in the city, located about 40 miles west of London.
"I love him. I always have. I always will," Robert Ritchie, a captain in the Philadelphia Police Department said of his brother. "He was a great guy. He was four years younger than me. I had a paper route at 12 and he helped me every day. I used to buy him something every two weeks to thank him."
A 25-year-old refugee from Libya was arrested on suspicion of murder at his apartment a short distance from the scene of the attack.
British history teacher James Furlong and another person were killed and three others were seriously wounded in the incident.
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The Telegraph reported the suspect was known to the MI5 security service and remained under questioning early Monday.
British Home Secretary Priti Patel has visited the park Monday morning to pay her respects and lay flowers at the site of the attack. She was expected to make a statement about in the attack in Parliament.
"This evening we saw a senseless attack on people simply enjoying a Saturday evening with family and friends," Patel said in a statement issued Saturday.
"My heart, prayers and thoughts are with all of those affected and to the people of Reading who will be deeply shocked and concerned by this terrible incident."


upi--2020-06-22--COVID-19 global death toll inches toward 500K as cases surge

June 22 ( UPI ) -- Deaths worldwide to the coronavirus climbed toward the half-a-million milestone early Monday as cases continue to surge in the Americans and Asian hotspots .
Both Worldometers.info and Johns Hopkins University have been tallying global statistics on the coronavirus and counted early Monday more than 468,000 lives lost to the virus since it emerged late last year in the central Chinese city of Wuhan before spreading the world over .
Mexico reported 1,044 deaths to the coronavirus over the past 24 hours , increasing its death toll to 21,825 and making Sunday its second deadliest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the disease early this month , according to data from the Mexican government .
In North America , Mexico sits second in deaths , well behind the United States but also well above Canada , who has fewer than 8,500 deaths to COVID-19 .
Worldwide , Mexico is in seventh place .
Daily cases in Mexico have also continued to steadily rise , hitting a record high of 5,662 cases over Wednesday .
Monday , it reported its second-highest count of 5,343 after 4,717 were counted on Saturday and 5,030 on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with more than 180,000 behind Pakistan who is in 13th place by a little more than 500 infections .
North American was responsible for the largest chunk of that increase , tallying some 116,000 cases .
South-East Asia had the second-highest count with 20,248 .
Pakistan on Monday reported nearly 4,471 new cases in the past 24 hours after reporting 6,604 cases a day prior , which fell just short of its record 6,825 registered on June 14 .
Though its death toll of 3,590 puts it in 21st place globally , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths that reach into the early 100s .
On Sunday , more than 130,000 new infections were recorded in the previous 24 hours , pushing the global count passed the 9 million-case milestone , according to worldometers.info .
Johns Hopkins University had the number of infections fewer than 40,000 away from hitting that mark early Monday .
However , the World Health Organization on Sunday reported 183,020 cases in the past 24 hours , its highest single-day increase since the pandemic began .
New Zealand , which announced it had eliminated domestic transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Monday two confirmed cases of the virus were recorded in the past 24 hours .
Nine new cases of COVID-19 have been counted in the island nation since Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern removed the final lockdown measures on June 8 , saying they are `` confident '' there is no internal spread of the disease but warned `` we will almost certainly see cases here again . ''
Dr. Ashley Bloomfield , director general of health in New Zealand , told reporters both cases came from abroad and were diagnosed in isolation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teenager who arrived in Auckland from Islamabad , Pakistan , on June 13 .
Her only symptom had been a runny nose , Bloomfield said .
The second case is a 30-year-old man who arrived from India on June 15 and has yet to report any symptoms .
The archipelago nation declared itself free of domestic transmission following 75 days of staunch lockdown restrictions put in place on March 25 .
Its first cases following the June 8th declaration were of two citizens who had traveled to Britain and were released early from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prior to being tested , prompting health officials to trace hundreds of potential close contacts .
The Ministry of Health said the new figures increase its total to 1,513 confirmed and probable cases , of which only nine are active .
New Zealand has fared better than most countries amid the COVID-19 pandemic , seeing only 22 fatalities , but many other countries are seeing spikes .
Once the epicenter of COVID-19 , China has dropped to 21st worldwide in cases with more than 83,000 infections and 18th in fatalities with 4,634 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Monday , the Asian nation reported 18 news cases , nine of which were counted in Beijing where authorities have been trying to stamp out new infections .
In the past week , more than 70 percent of the 215 cases recorded in China were counted in the capital , according to data from China 's National Health Commission .

A Chinese man walks past one of two "Guardian Lions" wearing a protective face mask in a deserted tourist area as COVID-19 has returned to the capital forcing the government to lockdown Beijing on Saturday. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI. | License Photo
June 22 (UPI) -- Deaths worldwide from the coronavirus climbed toward the half-million milestone early Monday as cases continue to surge in North American and Asian hot spots. Both Worldometers.info and Johns Hopkins University have been tallying global statistics on the coronavirus and counted early Monday more than 468,000 lives lost to the virus since it emerged late last year in the central Chinese city of Wuhan before spreading the world over. Advertisement
Mexico reported 1,044 deaths to the coronavirus over the past 24 hours, increasing its death toll to 21,825 and making Sunday its second-deadliest day from COVID-19 after 1,092 people died of the disease early this month, according to data from the Mexican government.
In North America, Mexico sits second in deaths, well behind the United States but also well above Canada, who has fewer than 8,500 deaths from COVID-19. Worldwide, Mexico is in seventh place.
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Daily cases in Mexico have also continued to steadily rise, hitting a record high of 5,662 cases over Wednesday. Monday, it reported its second-highest count of 5,343 after 4,717 were counted on Saturday and 5,030 on Friday.
Mexico sits 14th globally in cases with more than 180,000 behind Pakistan who is in 13th place by a little more than 500 infections. North America was responsible for the largest chunk of that increase, tallying some 116,000 cases. Southeast Asia had the second-highest count with 20,248.
Pakistan on Monday reported nearly 4,471 new cases in the past 24 hours after reporting 6,604 cases a day prior, which fell just short of its record 6,825 registered on June 14.
Though its death toll of 3,590 puts it in 21st place globally, it's seeing a gradual climb in daily deaths that reach into the early 100s.
On Sunday, more than 130,000 new infections were recorded in the previous 24 hours, pushing the global count passed the 9 million milestone, according to worldometers.info. Johns Hopkins had the number of infections fewer than 40,000 away from hitting that mark early Monday.
However, the World Health Organization on Sunday reported 183,020 cases in the past 24 hours, its highest single-day increase since the pandemic began.
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New Zealand, which announced it had eliminated domestic transmission of the coronavirus earlier this month, said Monday two confirmed cases of the virus were recorded in the past 24 hours.
Nine new cases of COVID-19 have been counted in the island nation since Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern removed the final lockdown measures on June 8, saying they are "confident" there is no internal spread of the disease but warned "we will almost certainly see cases here again."
Dr. Ashley Bloomfield, director general of health in New Zealand, told reporters both cases came from abroad and were diagnosed in isolation.
The first case is a female teenager who arrived in Auckland from Islamabad, Pakistan, on June 13. Her only symptom had been a runny nose, Bloomfield said. The second case is a 30-year-old man who arrived from India on June 15 and has yet to report any symptoms.
The archipelago nation declared itself free of domestic transmission following 75 days of staunch lockdown restrictions put in place on March 25. Its first cases following the June 8 declaration were of two citizens who had traveled to Britain and were released early from a mandatory 14-day quarantine on compassionate grounds prior to being tested, prompting health officials to trace hundreds of potential close contacts.
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The Ministry of Health said the new figures increase its total to 1,513 confirmed and probable cases, of which only nine are active.
New Zealand has fared better than most countries amid the COVID-19 pandemic, seeing only 22 fatalities, but many other countries are seeing spikes.
Once the epicenter of COVID-19, China has dropped to 21st worldwide in cases with more than 83,000 infections and 18th in fatalities with 4,634 deaths, recording only two deaths since mid-April.
On Monday, the Asian nation reported 18 news cases, nine of which were counted in Beijing where authorities have been trying to stamp out new infections. In the past week, more than 70 percent of the 215 cases recorded in China were counted in the capital, according to data from China's National Health Commission.


upi--2020-06-22--North Korea ready to strike back with millions of leaflets

SEOUL , June 22 ( UPI ) -- North Korea vowed on Monday to dump some 12 million propaganda leaflets on South Korea in a measure it calls `` retaliatory punishment '' as tensions remain high on the Korean Peninsula .
`` Publishing and printing institutions at all levels in the capital city have turned out 12 million leaflets of all kinds reflective of the wrath and hatred of the people from all walks of life , '' a report in state-run Korean Central News Agency said .
The report said `` various equipment and means of distributing leaflets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been prepared .
The move comes in response to the longstanding practice of defectors in the South sending leaflets criticizing the North Korean government across the border , which has become the source of heated denunciations from Pyongyang for more than two weeks .
The isolated state 's diplomatic relations with Washington and Seoul have stalled out since a summit last year between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un failed to produce an agreement on denuclearization and sanctions relief .
It is unclear if North Korea also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aircraft to send the leaflets , which `` outspokenly disclose and slam the criminal acts of the [ S ] outh Korean authorities . ''
according to a report in KCNA on Saturday .
South Korean officials said Monday their response would depend on the method North Korea uses to spread the leaflets .
`` We are closely monitoring moves by the North Korean military regarding the leafleting round-the-clock , '' Col. Kim Jun-rak , spokesperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , told a press briefing on Monday , according to news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diverse possibilities , we maintain a firm readiness posture . ''
North Korea 's latest provocation comes days after the communist state demolished the inter-Korean liaison office in its border town of Kaesong and announced that it would deploy troops to areas that had been demilitarized under a military agreement with South Korea .
Pyongyang had previously cut off all communications lines with Seoul after Kim Yo Jong , sister of Kim Jong Un , said it was `` high time to surely break with the [ S ] outh Korean authorities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The South Korean government has moved to rein in the defector groups responsible for sending the leaflets , saying the activities `` violate the agreement between the two Koreas , creating tensions and giving rise to dangers that threaten the safety and livelihoods of [ South Korean ] residents . ''
Officials announced they would press charges against two activist groups , while police and the coast guard have stepped up patrols at border areas .
Park Sang-hak , the leader of Fighters for Free North Korea , one of the defector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government , told UPI that he still plans to send a huge cache of leaflets over the border on Thursday , the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War .
His brother , Park Jung-oh , who leads a defector group called Kuensaem , had planned to deliver plastic bottles filled with rice to the North on Sunday , but postponed the event , citing in a press statement the `` threats '' from Pyongyang and the anxious atmosphere in South Korea .
North Korea said its plan to drop leaflets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the unquenchable anger of all the people and the whole society . ''
`` South Korea has to face the music , '' Monday 's KCNA statement said .
`` The time for retaliatory punishment is drawing near . ''

North Korea announced Monday it would retaliate to the practice of defectors sending leaflets across the border on balloons by delivering 12 million leaflets of its own to the South. Photo by Jeon Heon-kyun/EPA
SEOUL, June 22 (UPI) -- North Korea vowed on Monday to dump some 12 million propaganda leaflets on South Korea in a measure it calls "retaliatory punishment" as tensions remain high on the Korean Peninsula. "Publishing and printing institutions at all levels in the capital city have turned out 12 million leaflets of all kinds reflective of the wrath and hatred of the people from all walks of life," a report in state-run Korean Central News Agency said. Advertisement
The report said "various equipment and means of distributing leaflets," including more than 3,000 balloons, have been prepared.
The move comes in response to the longstanding practice of defectors in the South sending leaflets criticizing the North Korean government across the border, which has become the source of heated denunciations from Pyongyang for more than two weeks.
The isolated state's diplomatic relations with Washington and Seoul have stalled out since a summit last year between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un failed to produce an agreement on denuclearization and sanctions relief.
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It is unclear if North Korea also plans to use drones or other unmanned aircraft to send the leaflets, which "outspokenly disclose and slam the criminal acts of the [S]outh Korean authorities," according to a report in KCNA on Saturday.
South Korean officials said Monday their response would depend on the method North Korea uses to spread the leaflets.
"We are closely monitoring moves by the North Korean military regarding the leafleting round the clock," Col. Kim Jun-rak, a representative of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a press briefing on Monday, according to news agency Yonhap. "In preparations for diverse possibilities, we maintain a firm readiness posture."
North Korea's latest provocation comes days after the communist state demolished the inter-Korean liaison office in its border town of Kaesong and announced that it would deploy troops to areas that had been demilitarized under a military agreement with South Korea.
Pyongyang had previously cut off all communications lines with Seoul after Kim Yo Jong, sister of Kim Jong Un, said it was "high time to surely break with the [S]outh Korean authorities," calling them an "enemy."
The South Korean government has moved to rein in the defector groups responsible for sending the leaflets, saying the activities "violate the agreement between the two Koreas, creating tensions and giving rise to dangers that threaten the safety and livelihoods of [South Korean] residents."
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Officials announced they would press charges against two activist groups, while police and the coast guard have stepped up patrols at border areas.
Park Sang-hak, the leader of Fighters for Free North Korea, one of the defector groups singled out by the South Korean government, told UPI he still plans to send a huge cache of leaflets over the border on Thursday, the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.
His brother, Park Jung-oh, who leads a defector group called Kuensaem, had planned to deliver plastic bottles filled with rice to the North on Sunday, but postponed the event, citing in a press statement the "threats" from Pyongyang and the anxious atmosphere in South Korea.
North Korea said its plan to drop leaflets on the South "is an eruption of the unquenchable anger of all the people and the whole society."
"South Korea has to face the music," Monday's KCNA statement said. "The time for retaliatory punishment is drawing near."


upi--2020-06-22--Dozens arrested, 19 officers injured in Stuttgart riot

June 22 ( UPI ) -- Authorities in Germany said at least 24 people were arrested and 19 police officers were injured in a riot that erupted in Stuttgart over the weekend against a drug-related arrest .
Government officials said in a statement that the riot was triggered at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday with the arrest of a suspect on a drug-related charge .
In response , a large crowd attacked the officers in `` solidarity '' with the detainee by pelting them with stones and bottles in the capital of the southwestern state of Baden-Wuerttemberg .
Officers initially succeeded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the crowd grew to several hundred people who continued to attack the police and rescue workers , the statement said .
The rioters moved through the city in smaller groups vandalizing and looting stores as federal police were called in for support and a police helicopter circled the city .
According to the statement , 30 stores were vandalized , eight were looted and 12 patrol cars were damaged .
Video of the events posted online show rioters `` hit the patrol cars with chairs and other objects and destroyed the windows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300 police officers were deployed through the night with the situation only calming by around 4:30 a.m. Sunday , police said .
`` A border was crossed at night , '' Mayor Fritz Kuhn said .
`` This outbreak of violence was unacceptable ... We do accept alcohol or the will to show off on social media as an excuse [ for the riot . ]
'' Police President Franz Lutz said the riot was an attack on the entire city , stating `` I have never seen that in my 46 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40-member team will investigate the riot on behalf of the Stuttgart prosecutor 's office , officials said .

June 22 (UPI) -- Authorities in Germany said at least 24 people were arrested and 19 police officers were injured in a riot that erupted in Stuttgart over the weekend against a drug-related arrest.
Government officials said in a statement that the riot was triggered at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday with the arrest of a suspect on a drug-related charge. In response, a large crowd attacked the officers in "solidarity" with the detainee by pelting them with stones and bottles in the capital of the southwestern state of Baden-Wuerttemberg.
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Officers initially succeeded in subduing the riot with pepper spray until the crowd grew to several hundred people who continued to attack the police and rescue workers, the statement said.
The rioters moved through the city in smaller groups vandalizing and looting stores as federal police were called in for support and a police helicopter circled the city.
According to the statement, 30 stores were vandalized, eight were looted and 12 patrol cars were damaged.
Video of the events posted online show rioters "hit the patrol cars with chairs and other objects and destroyed the windows," the statement said.
Some 300 police officers were deployed through the night with the situation only calming by around 4:30 a.m. Sunday, police said.
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"A border was crossed at night," Mayor Fritz Kuhn said. "This outbreak of violence was unacceptable ... We do accept alcohol or the will to show off on social media as an excuse [for the riot.]"
Police President Franz Lutz said the riot was an attack on the entire city, stating "I have never seen that in my 46 years as a police officer."
A 40-member team will investigate the riot on behalf of the Stuttgart prosecutor's office, officials said.


upi--2020-06-22--Famous birthdays for June 22: Kris Kristofferson, Cyndi Lauper

June 22 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Cancer .

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Kris Kristefferson performs at the Glastonbury Music Festival on June 23, 2017, in Somerset, England. The actor/singer turns 84 on June 22. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo
June 22 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Cancer. They include: Advertisement
-- English adventure novelist H. Rider Haggard in 1856
-- German novelist Erich Remarque in 1898
-- Bank robber John Dillinger in 1903
-- Baseball Hall of Fame member Carl Hubbell in 1903
-- Movie director Billy Wilder in 1906
-- Author/aviator Anne Morrow Lindbergh in 1906
-- Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., in 1933 (age 87)
Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI
-- Singer/actor Kris Kristofferson in 1936 (age 84)
-- Filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami in 1940
-- TV journalist Ed Bradley in 1941
-- News commentator Brit Hume in 1943 (age 77)
-- Writer Octavia Butler in 1947
-- Basketball Hall of Fame member Pete Maravich in 1947
-- Rock musician Todd Rundgren in 1948 (age 72)
-- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., in 1949 (age 71)
-- Actor Meryl Streep in 1949 (age 71)
-- Actor Lindsay Wagner in 1949 (age 71)
-- Actor Graham Greene in 1952 (age 68)
-- Pop singer Cyndi Lauper in 1953 (age 67)
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File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
-- Actor Freddie Prinze in 1954
-- Actor Tracy Pollan in 1960 (age 60)
-- Activist Erin Brockovich in 1960 (age 60)
-- Basketball Hall of Fame member Clyde Drexler in 1962 (age 58)
-- Actor Amy Brenneman in 1964 (age 56)
-- Writer Dan Brown in 1964 (age 56)
-- Television host Carson Daly in 1973 (age 47)
-- Singer Dinah Jane Hansen in 1997 (age 23)


upi--2020-06-22--On This Day, June 22: France falls to Germany in WWII

On this date in history : In 1918 , an empty troop train rear-ended the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus train in Ivanhoe , Ind.
, killing 53 circus performers and many animals .
The circus train had stopped to fix its brakes .
In 1940 , France fell to Germany in World War II .
Nazi and French leaders signed the second armistice at Compiègne , France , in Ferdinand Foch 's Railway Car .
In 1973 , U.S. President Richard Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed a pledge to try to avoid nuclear war .
In 1977 , former U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison for Watergate crimes .
He was released for medical reasons 19 months later .
In 2012 , accused child-molester Jerry Sandusky , a former Penn State assistant football coach , was convicted on 45 sex-abuse charges .
He was sentenced to up to 60 years in prisoned and died in 2018 .
In 2012 , accused child-molester Jerry Sandusky , a former Penn State assistant football coach , was convicted on 45 sex-abuse charges .
He was sentenced to up to 60 years in prison .
In 2019 , a seven-story building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two dozen construction workers sleeping inside .

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French and Nazi leaders prepare to sign the second armistice at Compiègne, France, at Ferdinand Foch's Railway Car on June 22, 1949. File Photo courtesy of German armed forces
On this date in history: In 1918, an empty troop train rear-ended the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus train in Ivanhoe, Ind., killing 53 circus performers and many animals. The circus train had stopped to fix its brakes. Advertisement
In 1940, France fell to Germany in World War II. Nazi and French leaders signed the second armistice at Compiègne, France, in Ferdinand Foch's Railway Car.
In 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union.
In 1973, U.S. President Richard Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed a pledge to try to avoid nuclear war.
In 1977, former U.S. Attorney General John Mitchell entered a federal prison for Watergate crimes. He was released for medical reasons 19 months later.
In 2012, accused child-molester Jerry Sandusky, a former Penn State assistant football coach, was convicted on 45 sex-abuse charges. He was sentenced to up to 60 years in prisoned and died in 2018.
File Photo by George M Powers/UPI
In 2012, accused child-molester Jerry Sandusky, a former Penn State assistant football coach, was convicted on 45 sex-abuse charges. He was sentenced to up to 60 years in prison.
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In 2019, a seven-story building under construction in Cambodia collapsed, killing two dozen construction workers sleeping inside.


upi--2020-06-22--NYC museum to remove 'problematic' Roosevelt statue

June 22 ( UPI ) -- Amid renewed calls nationwide for controversial statues to be torn down , the American Museum of Natural History announced it has asked the city to permit the removal of a bronze statue of former President Theodore Roosevelt that critics say symbolize systemic racism .
The statue of the 26th president flanked by walking Native American and African figures was unveiled to the public in front of the museum 's Central Park West entrance in 1940 as part of a larger New York State memorial for Roosevelt but it has long been criticized for its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a memorandum to its staff on Sunday , the museum said it has requested for the Roosevelt equestrian statue to be moved -- a request Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city will support .
`` The American Museum of Natural History has asked to remove the Theodore Roosevelt statue because it explicitly depicts black and indigenous people as subjugated and racially inferior , '' de Blasio said in a statement .
`` The city supports the museum 's request .
It is the right decision and the right time to remove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked for permission to remove the statue as it sits on New York City public parkland , it said .
Ellen Futter , president of the museum , said removing the statue will be `` a symbol of progress and of our commitment to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable museum community and broader society . ''
The memorandum came amid calls nationwide for the removal of controversial statues , specifically those honoring Confederate soldiers and officials , following Black Lives Matter protests that erupted against inequality after a black man was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officer .
Several such statues have been torn down by protesters or removed by politicians since the death of George Floyd while legislation has also been tabled to remove others .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , has renewed calls for Confederate statues on Capitol Hill to be removed and last week ordered the removal of four portraits of former speakers who served in the Confederacy .
The museum said it will remain the site of the Roosevelt memorial and that it will name its Hall of Biodiversity after him in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservationist .
Theodore Roosevelt IV , a museum trustee and great-grandson of the late president , said he agrees it is time to move the statue .
`` The world does not need statues , relics of another age , that reflect neither the values of the person they intend to honor nor the values of equality and justice , '' he said in a statement .
`` The composition of the equestrian statue does not reflect Theodore Roosevelt 's legacy . ''

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Police barricades surround the bronze statue of former President Theodore Roosevelt Monday at the American Museum Of Natural History in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
June 22 (UPI) -- Amid renewed calls nationwide for controversial statues to be torn down, the American Museum of Natural History announced it has asked the city to permit the removal of a bronze statue of former President Theodore Roosevelt that critics say symbolizes systemic racism. The statue of the 26th president flanked by walking Native American and African figures was unveiled to the public in front of the museum's Central Park West entrance in 1940 as part of a larger New York state memorial for Roosevelt, but it has long been criticized for its hierarchical composition and depictions of race. Advertisement
In a memorandum to its staff on Sunday, the museum said it has requested the Roosevelt equestrian statue to be moved -- a request Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city will support.
"The American Museum of Natural History has asked to remove the Theodore Roosevelt statue because it explicitly depicts black and indigenous people as subjugated and racially inferior," de Blasio said in a statement. "The city supports the museum's request. It is the right decision and the right time to remove this problematic statue."
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The museum asked for permission to remove the statue as it sits on New York City public parkland, it said.
Ellen Futter, president of the museum, said removing the statue will be "a symbol of progress and of our commitment to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable museum community and broader society."
The memorandum came amid calls nationwide for the removal of controversial statues, specifically those honoring Confederate soldiers and officials, following Black Lives Matter protests that erupted against inequality after a black man was killed late last month by a white police officer.
Several such statues have been torn down by protesters or removed by politicians since the death of George Floyd while legislation has also been tabled to remove others.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has renewed calls for Confederate statues on Capitol Hill to be removed and last week ordered the removal of four portraits of former speakers who served in the Confederacy.
The museum said it will remain the site of the Roosevelt memorial and that it will name its Hall of Biodiversity after him in honor of his role as a leading conservationist.
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Theodore Roosevelt IV, a museum trustee and great-grandson of the late president, said he agrees it is time to move the statue.
"The world does not need statues, relics of another age, that reflect neither the values of the person they intend to honor nor the values of equality and justice," he said in a statement. "The composition of the equestrian statue does not reflect Theodore Roosevelt's legacy."