upi--2020-11-27--Black Friday crowds sparse as shoppers adapt to pandemic

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- The massive shopping crowds that have traditionally followed the day after Thanksgiving were missing Friday as businesses across the country made changes to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic , which has made this Black Friday different from any other .
Large retailers like Target and Walmart had game plans in place to limit the number of customers entering their stores as the coronavirus resurged in many communities around the country .
They spread out discount sales usually reserved for Black Friday through the month to help discourage long lines .
The measure appeared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Miami suburb of Cooper City , where a small line of people waited for the store to open Friday morning after it had closed for Thanksgiving .
The line quickly disappeared once the store opened its doors .
Retailers are hoping those moves and a significant boost in online shopping will make the holiday season successful .
The National Retail Federation said it anticipates holiday sales in 2020 will jump 3.6 % to 5.2 % from 2019 .
`` We know this holiday season will be unlike any other , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dollars to ensure the health and safety of their employees and customers , '' NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said this week in a statement .
`` Consumers have shown they are excited about the holidays and are willing to spend on gifts that lift the spirits of family and friends after such a challenging year , '' Shay said .
Only a handful of people showed up at the Academy department store in Houston but nothing like the lines that typically show up there on Black Friday to nab gaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm happy the line is n't as big , '' one shopper said .
`` That means I can get more stuff .
I came out here to get a few TVs , and hopefully , I can get a PS5 . ''
Even smaller stores are taking coronavirus restrictions seriously .
Abt Electronics in suburban Chicago will check the temperatures of customers at the door and have up to 30 parking spaces reserved for pickup orders .
`` I do n't think we 'll have to tell people to wait outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` But you know , that 's a potential and we 've never had to do that ever in the past .
Everyone really wants to make your store look like it 's less crowded , so we 're keeping employees real far away we 're getting people in and out as soon as possible if they want to come in . ''
While the major retailers can weather the smaller crowds on Black Friday , D'Cher Whitaker said her small Chicago-based boutique Love Peridot needs the large crowds to help it rebound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 restrictions .
`` Everything is at stake , '' Whitaker said .
`` If you do n't shop small , our families are at stake .
If you do n't shop with us , we may not be here next year , so it 's very important . ''

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A shopper holding bags walks through a retail store in Herald Square in New York City on Friday. For over a decade, Black Friday has traditionally been the official start to the busy buying binge sandwiched between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- The massive shopping crowds that have traditionally followed the day after Thanksgiving were missing Friday as businesses across the country made changes to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic, which has made this Black Friday different from any other. Large retailers like Target and Walmart had game plans in place to limit the number of customers entering their stores as the coronavirus resurged in many communities around the country. They spread out discount sales usually reserved for Black Friday through the month to help discourage long lines. Advertisement
The measure appeared to have worked at the usually busy Walmart in the Miami suburb of Cooper City, where a small line of people waited for the store to open Friday morning after it had closed for Thanksgiving. The line quickly disappeared once the store opened its doors.
Retailers are hoping those moves and a significant boost in online shopping will make the holiday season successful. The National Retail Federation said it anticipates holiday sales in 2020 will jump 3.6% to 5.2% from 2019.
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"We know this holiday season will be unlike any other, and retailers have planned ahead by investing billions of dollars to ensure the health and safety of their employees and customers," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said this week in a statement.
"Consumers have shown they are excited about the holidays and are willing to spend on gifts that lift the spirits of family and friends after such a challenging year," Shay said.
Only a handful of people showed up at the Academy department store in Houston but nothing like the lines that typically show up there on Black Friday to nab gaming consoles and other entertainment items.
"I'm happy the line isn't as big," one shopper said. "That means I can get more stuff. I came out here to get a few TVs, and hopefully, I can get a PS5."
Even smaller stores are taking coronavirus restrictions seriously. Abt Electronics in suburban Chicago will check the temperatures of customers at the door and have up to 30 parking spaces reserved for pickup orders.
"I don't think we'll have to tell people to wait outside," owner Mike Abt said. "But you know, that's a potential and we've never had to do that ever in the past. Everyone really wants to make your store look like it's less crowded, so we're keeping employees real far away we're getting people in and out as soon as possible if they want to come in."
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While the major retailers can weather the smaller crowds on Black Friday, D'Cher Whitaker said her small Chicago-based boutique Love Peridot needs the large crowds to help it rebound from the down spring and summer because of COVID-19 restrictions.
"Everything is at stake," Whitaker said. "If you don't shop small, our families are at stake. If you don't shop with us, we may not be here next year, so it's very important."
Black Friday proved mixed overseas. Non-essential retailers remained closed in Britain, slowing shopping markedly, with Barclaycard Payments reporting a 13.2% decrease in payment volume compared with 2019's Black Friday.
In Israel, the government allowed additional malls to open to accommodate shoppers. Most malls had been closed in the country since March because of the coronavirus. In a lottery held on Thursday, nine malls were selected to open along with the six that had previously been announced, which filled with customers Friday.
Guam, one of the first countries to participate in Black Friday shopping, reported that shoppers mostly followed social distancing guidelines and crowds were smaller than in the past. A struggling economy, leaving customers with less money to spend, has also affected the shoppers on the street there.


upi--2020-11-27--Paul Anka revealed as Broccoli, eliminated on 'Masked Singer'

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- Music icon Paul Anka , who was disguised as a stalk of broccoli this season , has been eliminated from The Masked Singer .
`` If you told me 30 years ago , I 'd have broccoli on my head , I 'd have told you you were crazy , '' laughed Anka , 79 .
`` When the opportunity came about I said : 'Yeah .
I want to get out of the house .
I want to get my chops back and start singing , ' '' he said .
`` How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done in my life ?
Being on here ?
Well , it certainly does n't compare with being in a steam room with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and Sammy Davis .
Jr .
So , we 'll take that off the table . ''
Ken Jeong , Jenny McCarthy , Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke are the program 's judges , and Nick Cannon is the host .
Rapper Busta Rhymes was the first costumed celebrity to get the boot this season .
Actor Mickey Rourke later took himself out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Green , retired pro football player/sports commentator Mark Sanchez , talk-show host Wendy Williams , comedian Bob Saget , married singers Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black , NBA player Lonzo Ball and social media star Dr. Elvis Francois were subsequently cut from the show .

Singer and songwriter Paul Anka was ousted on Thursday's edition of "The Masked Singer." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Music icon Paul Anka, who was disguised as a stalk of broccoli this season, has been eliminated from The Masked Singer. "If you told me 30 years ago, I'd have broccoli on my head, I'd have told you you were crazy," laughed Anka, 79. Advertisement
"When the opportunity came about I said: 'Yeah. I want to get out of the house. I want to get my chops back and start singing,'" he said. "How does this compare with everything I've done in my life? Being on here? Well, it certainly doesn't compare with being in a steam room with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and Sammy Davis. Jr. So, we'll take that off the table."
Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke are the program's judges, and Nick Cannon is the host.
Rapper Busta Rhymes was the first costumed celebrity to get the boot this season.
Actor Mickey Rourke later took himself out of the competition, and TV icon Brian Austin Green, retired pro football player/sports commentator Mark Sanchez, talk-show host Wendy Williams, comedian Bob Saget, married singers Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black, NBA player Lonzo Ball and social media star Dr. Elvis Francois were subsequently cut from the show.


upi--2020-11-27--Ravens QB Lamar Jackson tests positive for COVID-19, could miss 2 games

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has tested positive for COVID-19 and could be out for the team 's next two games due to a mandatory self-quarantine .
Sources told NFL Network , the Baltimore Sun and ESPN on Thursday that Jackson was the latest of at least a dozen Ravens players and staff members to test positive for the coronavirus over the last week .
Four Ravens players and a staff member tested positive on Thursday .
The Ravens are scheduled to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in Pittsburgh .
They host the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next game on their schedule .
Players were told Thursday that the team 's practice facility will remain closed for at least five days .
NFL COVID-19 protocol requires players who test positive to self-quarantine for 10 days , which puts Jackson 's status in doubt for the Cowboys game .
The Ravens issued discipline earlier this week to a strength and conditioning coach for not reporting symptoms and not consistently wearing a mask or tracking device , in connection to the team 's outbreak .
Baltimore was scheduled to face Pittsburgh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postponed until Sunday to give the NFL more days to test players and attempt to contain the spread .
Veteran quarterback Robert Griffin III is expected to start in place of Jackson on Sunday in Pittsburgh .
Ravens running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins are among the other key offensive players out for Sunday 's game due to positive COVID-19 tests .
The Ravens have placed 10 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list .
Jackson will be officially added to the list on Friday .
`` Praying for my brother [ Jackson ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their families dealing with COVID-19 , '' Griffin tweeted Thursday .
`` Ensuring the safety of the entire organization is important .
Handling this outbreak within the team is bigger than football . ''
Jackson -- the reigning NFL MVP -- has completed 63.4 % of his passes this season for 1,948 yards , 15 touchdowns and six interceptions .
He also has 575 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in 10 games .
Griffin has completed just 1 of 2 passes for nine yards and has an interception in three appearances this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Year and Pro Bowl selection completed 60.5 % of his throws for 225 yards , one score and two interceptions in seven games last season .
The Steelers host the Ravens at 1:15 p.m. EST on Sunday on NBC .

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday and has been ruled out of the team's game on Sunday in Pittsburgh. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has tested positive for COVID-19 and could be out for the team's next two games due to a mandatory self-quarantine. Sources told NFL Network, the Baltimore Sun and ESPN on Thursday that Jackson was the latest of at least a dozen Ravens players and staff members to test positive for the coronavirus over the last week. Four Ravens players and a staff member tested positive on Thursday. Advertisement
The Ravens are scheduled to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in Pittsburgh. They host the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday in Baltimore in the next game on their schedule.
Players were told Thursday that the team's practice facility will remain closed for at least five days. NFL COVID-19 protocol requires players who test positive to self-quarantine for 10 days, which puts Jackson's status in doubt for the Cowboys game.
The Ravens issued discipline earlier this week to a strength and conditioning coach for not reporting symptoms and not consistently wearing a mask or tracking device, in connection to the team's outbreak.
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Baltimore was scheduled to face Pittsburgh on Thanksgiving, before the game was postponed until Sunday to give the NFL more days to test players and attempt to contain the spread.
Veteran quarterback Robert Griffin III is expected to start in place of Jackson on Sunday in Pittsburgh. Ravens running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins are among the other key offensive players out for Sunday's game due to positive COVID-19 tests.
The Ravens have placed 10 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Jackson will be officially added to the list on Friday.
"Praying for my brother [Jackson] and every player, staff member and their families dealing with COVID-19," Griffin tweeted Thursday.
"Ensuring the safety of the entire organization is important. Handling this outbreak within the team is bigger than football."
Jackson -- the reigning NFL MVP -- has completed 63.4% of his passes this season for 1,948 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also has 575 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in 10 games.
Griffin has completed just 1 of 2 passes for nine yards and has an interception in three appearances this season. The 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl selection completed 60.5% of his throws for 225 yards, one score and two interceptions in seven games last season.
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The Steelers host the Ravens at 1:15 p.m. EST on Sunday on NBC.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-27--Washington Football Team crushes Cowboys, takes NFC East lead

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- The Washington Football Team now leads the NFC East -- despite a 4-7 record -- after a dominant 41-16 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving .
Washington running back Antonio Gibson had 115 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries in the victory on Thursday at AT & T Stadium in Arlington , Texas .
Washington held Dallas to 247 total yards .
The win gives Washington a narrow NFC East division lead over the second-place Philadelphia Eagles , who are 3-6-1 , but have yet to play their Week 12 game .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in third place and the Cowboys ( 3-8 ) are now in last place .
`` It was amazing to have the opportunity to play on Thanksgiving , '' Washington quarterback Alex Smith told reporters .
`` This rivalry made it more special .
It means a lot to come down and get the win like we did . ''
Dallas took a 3-0 lead when Greg Zuerlein made a 33-yard field goal on the second drive of the game .
Washington responded with a 12-play , 70-yard touchdown drive .
Gibson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that possession .
The Cowboys answered with a five-play , 75-yard touchdown drive .
Quarterback Andy Dalton threw a 54-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper to give Dallas a 10-7 lead at the start of the second quarter .
Dustin Hopkins made a 23-yard field goal on Washington 's next drive .
Washington then took a 17-10 lead when Alex Smith threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Logan Thomas 2:31 before halftime .
Zuerlein followed with a 32-yard field goal to cut Washington 's lead to 17-13 at the break .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the third quarter before Washington broke the game open down the stretch .
Gibson ran for a 23-yard touchdown 3 minutes into the fourth quarter .
He added a 37-yard rushing score on Washington 's next possession .
Washington scored the final points of the game when defensive end Montez Sweat intercepted Dalton and had a 15-yard touchdown return with 3:31 remaining .
Dalton completed 25 of 35 passes for 215 yards , a touchdown and an interception in the loss .
Cooper had 112 yards and a score on six receptions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just 32 yards on 10 carries and lost a fumble .
Randy Gregory had two sacks in the loss .
`` We were in this game , '' Dalton said .
`` It got out of hand at the end , but I felt like we were in a good place .
We played well and hard in the first half and had everything in front of us .
`` We were n't able to get it done in the second half and that 's frustrating . ''
Washington battles the Pittsburgh Steelers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh .
The Cowboys ( 3-8 ) face the Baltimore Ravens at 8:20 p.m. EST on Thursday at M & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore .

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Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson (24) scored three touchdowns in a win over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday in Arlington, Texas. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- The Washington Football Team now leads the NFC East -- despite a 4-7 record -- after a dominant 41-16 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Washington running back Antonio Gibson had 115 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries in the victory on Thursday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Washington held Dallas to 247 total yards. Advertisement
The win gives Washington a narrow NFC East division lead over the second-place Philadelphia Eagles, who are 3-6-1, but have yet to play their Week 12 game. The New York Giants (3-7) are in third place and the Cowboys (3-8) are now in last place.
"It was amazing to have the opportunity to play on Thanksgiving," Washington quarterback Alex Smith told reporters. "This rivalry made it more special. It means a lot to come down and get the win like we did."
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Dallas took a 3-0 lead when Greg Zuerlein made a 33-yard field goal on the second drive of the game. Washington responded with a 12-play, 70-yard touchdown drive. Gibson ran for a 5-yard score to end that possession.
The Cowboys answered with a five-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Quarterback Andy Dalton threw a 54-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper to give Dallas a 10-7 lead at the start of the second quarter.
Dustin Hopkins made a 23-yard field goal on Washington's next drive. Washington then took a 17-10 lead when Alex Smith threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Logan Thomas 2:31 before halftime.
Zuerlein followed with a 32-yard field goal to cut Washington's lead to 17-13 at the break. Hopkins and Zuerlein each made field goals in the third quarter before Washington broke the game open down the stretch.
Gibson ran for a 23-yard touchdown 3 minutes into the fourth quarter. He added a 37-yard rushing score on Washington's next possession. Washington scored the final points of the game when defensive end Montez Sweat intercepted Dalton and had a 15-yard touchdown return with 3:31 remaining.
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Dalton completed 25 of 35 passes for 215 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the loss. Cooper had 112 yards and a score on six receptions. Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott had just 32 yards on 10 carries and lost a fumble.
Randy Gregory had two sacks in the loss.
"We were in this game," Dalton said. "It got out of hand at the end, but I felt like we were in a good place. We played well and hard in the first half and had everything in front of us.
"We weren't able to get it done in the second half and that's frustrating."
Washington battles the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. EST on Dec. 6 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. The Cowboys (3-8) face the Baltimore Ravens at 8:20 p.m. EST on Thursday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-27--Deshaun Watson leads Texans over Lions on Thanksgiving

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson threw for 318 yards and had four touchdown passes to lead his team to a dominant Thanksgiving win over the Detroit Lions .
Texans wide receiver Will Fuller had six catches for 171 yards and two scores in the 41-25 victory on Thursday at Ford Field in Detroit .
Texans linebacker Nate Hall had two sacks and a forced fumble .
J.J. Watt also had an interception for a touchdown for the Texans .
`` You 're going to get our best shot , '' Watson told reporters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes .
We are going to try and do whatever we can to win the game .
`` We are going to scratch and claw , whatever it takes .
We do n't even look at the record .
We are going into each game with a 0-0 mindset and go out there and give it our all . ''
The Texans punted on the first drive of the game .
Detroit responded with a seven-play , 70-yard touchdown drive .
Lions running back Adrian Peterson ended the possession with a 1-yard rushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next drive , but the Texans defense snatched momentum away from Detroit one play later .
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford took the snap and dropped back on the play before he tried to throw a pass over the offensive and defensive line .
Watt saw the attempt and jumped to snag the pass for an interception .
He then ran 19 yards for a score .
The Lions fumbled on the next drive to give the Texans the ball back on the Detroit 30-yard line .
Watson threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later to give the Texans a 13-7 lead .
Each team fumbled on the next two drives .
The Lions then put together a four-play , 21-yard touchdown drive .
Peterson ran for his second touchdown of the game to end that possession and gave the Lions a 14-13 lead 2 minutes into the second quarter .
Watson then capped off a five-play , 55-yard drive for Houston with a 33-yard touchdown toss to Duke Johnson .
The Texans added a field goal on their next drive and led 23-14 at halftime .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ field goals before Watson threw his third touchdown pass of the game with 12:16 remaining .
He launched a 40-yard touchdown toss to Fuller to give the Texans a 34-17 advantage .
Watson connected with Fuller on a 34-yard touchdown toss on Houston 's next drive to increase the lead to 41-17 .
Stafford followed with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Mohamed Sanu for the final points of the game .
Stafford completed 28 of 42 passes for 295 yards , one score and one interception in the loss .
Texans linebacker Tyrell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fumbles and a pass defensed in the victory .
`` I love playing this game .
I hate losing , '' Stafford said .
`` I love the guys in the locker room .
I love this organization .
...
I 'm going to keep fighting , keep doing everything I can do to try and help us win .
`` Obviously I was n't good enough today because we did n't win the game so I have to be better .
I hate losing , frustrating , disappointing , all of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work and try and get better . ''
The Texans ( 4-7 ) host the Indianapolis Colts at 1 p.m. EST on Dec. 6 at NRG Stadium in Houston .
The Lions ( 4-7 ) face the Chicago Bears at 1 p.m. EST on Dec. 6 at Soldier Field in Chicago .

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Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson threw two touchdown passes to Will Fuller in a win over the Detroit Lions on Thursday in Detroit. File Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson threw for 318 yards and had four touchdown passes to lead his team to a dominant Thanksgiving win over the Detroit Lions. Texans wide receiver Will Fuller had six catches for 171 yards and two scores in the 41-25 victory on Thursday at Ford Field in Detroit. Texans linebacker Nate Hall had two sacks and a forced fumble. J.J. Watt also had an interception for a touchdown for the Texans. Advertisement
"You're going to get our best shot," Watson told reporters. "We are going to play 60 minutes. We are going to try and do whatever we can to win the game.
"We are going to scratch and claw, whatever it takes. We don't even look at the record. We are going into each game with a 0-0 mindset and go out there and give it our all."
The Texans punted on the first drive of the game. Detroit responded with a seven-play, 70-yard touchdown drive. Lions running back Adrian Peterson ended the possession with a 1-yard rushing touchdown.
Houston punted again on their next drive, but the Texans defense snatched momentum away from Detroit one play later.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford took the snap and dropped back on the play before he tried to throw a pass over the offensive and defensive line. Watt saw the attempt and jumped to snag the pass for an interception. He then ran 19 yards for a score.
The Lions fumbled on the next drive to give the Texans the ball back on the Detroit 30-yard line. Watson threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to running back C.J. Prosise three plays later to give the Texans a 13-7 lead.
Each team fumbled on the next two drives. The Lions then put together a four-play, 21-yard touchdown drive.
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Peterson ran for his second touchdown of the game to end that possession and gave the Lions a 14-13 lead 2 minutes into the second quarter.
Watson then capped off a five-play, 55-yard drive for Houston with a 33-yard touchdown toss to Duke Johnson. The Texans added a field goal on their next drive and led 23-14 at halftime.
The Texans and Lions each added third-quarter field goals before Watson threw his third touchdown pass of the game with 12:16 remaining. He launched a 40-yard touchdown toss to Fuller to give the Texans a 34-17 advantage.
Watson connected with Fuller on a 34-yard touchdown toss on Houston's next drive to increase the lead to 41-17. Stafford followed with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Mohamed Sanu for the final points of the game.
Stafford completed 28 of 42 passes for 295 yards, one score and one interception in the loss. Texans linebacker Tyrell Adams had 14 tackles, two forced fumbles and a pass defensed in the victory.
"I love playing this game. I hate losing," Stafford said. "I love the guys in the locker room. I love this organization. ... I'm going to keep fighting, keep doing everything I can do to try and help us win.
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"Obviously I wasn't good enough today because we didn't win the game so I have to be better. I hate losing, frustrating, disappointing, all of that. But I'm going to continue to work and try and get better."
The Texans (4-7) host the Indianapolis Colts at 1 p.m. EST on Dec. 6 at NRG Stadium in Houston. The Lions (4-7) face the Chicago Bears at 1 p.m. EST on Dec. 6 at Soldier Field in Chicago.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-27--Kentucky Derby already on fans' minds

Kentucky Derby already on fans' minds

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- The Thanksgiving weekend cornucopia of racing action already is overflowing onto our screens and , with luck , our bank accounts , with graded stakes action yet to come from coast to coast .
Chad Brown shipped a planeload of horses across the continent for the weekend 's turf races at Del Mar and quickly reaped rewards , winning the Thanksgiving Day feature .
The Grade I Clark at Churchill Downs is a late-season opportunity for the dirt-runners .
For fans hip enough to dig international racing action , Sunday 's Grade 1 Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a look despite the time difference .
It might be the only time ever that three Triple Crown winners line up in the same gate .
Also worth a look is the classy international field announced for next month 's Longines Hong Kong International Races despite the pandemic restrictions .
It 's not too early to be thinking about Kentucky Derby 2021 with weekend action in Louisville , Tokyo and at a betting window ( or computer screen ) near you .
Fair Grounds and Delta Downs swing into action this weekend and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Post on Wednesday .
We cue the bugler right now for : The Road to the Roses Can we already be into Kentucky Derby mode ?
Sure .
Why not ?
Christmas decorations have been popping up for weeks and it really is only a little more than five months until the first Saturday in May .
A couple of sure Derby harbingers are in evidence this weekend : Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager and the first race of the `` Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wager , which opens on Thanksgiving and closes Sunday evening , is that `` all other 3-year-old colts and geldings '' will emerge as the favorite .
That 's been the case in Pool 1 for 22 consecutive years and Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia makes that the 6-5 morning-line pick .
Breeders ' Cup Juvenile winner Essential Quality tops the 23 individual options at 10-1 on the Battaglia line .
Remember , if your horse does n't start in the Run for the Roses , you lose .
Meanwhile in Tokyo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Road to the Kentucky Derby Saturday , the day before what promises to be one of the best-ever editions of the Japan Cup ( see below ) .
It 's the first of four races that award points toward a guaranteed berth for a Japanese horse at Churchill Downs .
The European Road to the Kentucky Derby already has four races in the books with four different winners .
Oh ... some actual races for potential Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders will be held this weekend .
Chief among them are Saturday 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and $ 200,000 Grade II Golden Rod for fillies , both at 1 1/16 miles on the Churchill Downs dirt .
Juvenile races at Aqueduct and Del Mar are on the grass -- Saturday 's $ 100,000 Central Park Stakes and Sunday 's $ 100,000 Tepin Stakes for fillies at the Big A and Saturday 's $ 100,000 Grade III Jimmy Durante for fillies and Sunday 's $ 100,000 Cecil B. DeMille .
In the other divisions : The Grade I Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs traditionally is one final opportunity for someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bid for year-end honors in the handicap division .
Friday 's $ 500,000 renewal reflects the recent rash of retirements that leaves things pretty wide-open for the remaining old warriors .
With 14 in the field and an also-eligible , oddsmaker Mike Battaglia has six horses clustered at single-digit odds -- a virtual `` you pick 'em . ''
The 3-1 favorite on the Clark morning line is Code of Honor , whose only win in four starts this year came in the Grade III Westchester Stakes at Belmont Park in June .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grade II Kelso over the same surface .
In his only previous trip to Louisville , he was placed second in the 2019 Kentucky Derby after the disqualification of Maximum Security .
After him , there 's By My Standards at 4-1 , Owendale at 5-1 , Mr .
Freeze at 6-1 and Bodexpress and Aurelius Maximus , both at 8-1 .
The race is open to 3-year-olds and up , but the only 3-year-old in the field is Silver Prospector , a well-bred colt who returned from a long absence to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Saturday 's $ 100,000 Grade III Discovery at Aqueduct has just five 3-year-olds but any of them could make a case for a spot in next year 's Classic chase with a good showing .
Shared Sense is the 3-1 morning-line favorite with victories in the Indiana Derby and Oklahoma Derby earlier this year for trainer Brad Cox .
Attachment Rate , Monday Morning Qb and Forza Di Oro all exit wins of various sorts .
Thursday 's $ 200,000 Grade II Falls City at Churchill Downs was all Envoutante .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the lead for jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. , shook off a brief challenge and went on to win by 6 lengths .
Odds-on favorite Bonny South tracked the pace and got second , 3 1/2 lengths ahead of Another Broad .
Envoutante ran 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:49.11 .
She was fourth in the Grade I Alabama this summer at Saratoga and won the Grade III Remington Park Oaks in her most recent start in September .
`` We were very confident by the way she was working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to put it together in the afternoon , '' trainer Kenny McPeek said of Envoutante .
`` She 's worked against Swiss Skydiver and has really done well in her training .
She 's done a lot of traveling this year and got her graded stakes win in the Remington Oaks so winning another one was very special . ''
Friday 's $ 100,000 Grade III Comely at Aqueduct has 10 3-year-old fillies ready to tackle 1 1/8 miles .
The field is headed , politely enough , by Mrs. Danvers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hit the board only once in seven starts , that in the Grade I Test Stakes at Saratoga , where she reported fifth .
The latter brings a three-race winning streak with the Grade II Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico her latest triumph .
Given the timing , one would have to consider Thankful , an American Pharoah filly with wins at Saratoga and Belmont Park in her last two starts .
Saturday 's $ 300,000 Grade I Hollywood Derby at Del Mar is filled with transplants from the East Coast and Midwest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York , where he was 3-for-4 this year and won the Saratoga Derby Invitational in his last start .
Also here is Gufo , a Christophe Clement trainee who was second in that Saratoga race , and then went on to win the Belmont Derby Invitational .
Get Smokin and Decorated Invader , the 1-2 finishers in the Grade II Hill Prince at Belmont Park in their last start , also made the trip .
The morning-line favorite , though , is Smooth Like Strait , a Midnight Lute colt who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Santa Anita by 1 1/2 lengths .
He 's won three of his last four starts for trainer Mike McCarthy .
Brown also brings two of the 13 entered for Saturday 's $ 200,000 Grade II Seabiscuit Handicap at Del Mar .
Flavius won the Tourist Mile at Kentucky Downs two starts back and was a decent fifth in the Grade I Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland after traffic issues .
Stablemate Spirit Animal has won three of his last four against easier .
The morning line has several others with decent records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handy victory in the Grade III Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs for trainer Peter Miller .
Arklow and Laccario feature in a full field for Friday 's $ 200,000 Grade II Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar .
Arklow salvaged something from an otherwise tough year with a victory in the Grade III Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs in September , but then finished sixth in the Breeders ' Cup Turf .
Laccario , a German-bred colt who won the Deutches Derby in 2019 , makes his second U.S. start for trainer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first effort , the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont Park Oct. 3 .
Friday 's $ 100,000 Gio Ponti for 3-year-olds at Aqueduct is another wide-open affair with a field of 12 and nothing resembling a favorite .
The top pick on the morning line at 4-1 is Basquiat , an American Pharoah ridgling with one win from five starts -- that a Gulfstream Park maiden event back in April .
In that context , just about the entire field deserves a look .
Orglandes , a 4-year-old , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the East Coast as part of the Chad Brown herd , came rolling late to capture Thursday 's $ 100,000 Grade III Red Carpet Handicap at Del Mar by 1/2 length .
Orglandes got by long shot Going to Vegas , who had taken a late lead , in the closing strides .
Quick was third , another 1 length behind .
Orglandes ran 1 3/8 miles on firm turf with Irad Ortiz Jr. in for the ride and that duo had to sweat out an inquiry into a stretch incident before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Orglandes now is 2-for-3 since being imported from France .
`` Chad talked to the jockey in the morning , '' assistant trainer Jose Hernandez said .
`` He said just to break and play off of it .
It 's a mile and three-eighths , a long race , so the jockey can do what he feels .
The pace was good and he was in a really good position and then made a strong finish . ''
Saturday 's $ 100,000 Grade III Long Island at Aqueduct has a well-matched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we look to trainers for hints and , indeed , the two morning-line picks are from well-regarded barns .
Chad Brown saddles Eliade , a 4-year-old , French-bred filly coming off a win on the Keeneland grass .
Christophe Clement has three with the most likely being British-bred Mutamakina , a narrowly defeated third in her first U.S. start last month .
A full field is entered for Friday 's $ 100,000 Forever Together at Aqueduct with the 2-1 morning line favorite , Tapit Today , drawn in the No .
12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wins from 10 starts and has missed a top-three finish only twice .
She comes off a win in the Grade III Athenia at Belmont Park last month .
Those not liking the gate assignment have a wide option among the others .
As long as he was shipping horses west , Chad Brown figured he would n't ignore Sunday 's $ 300,000 Grade I Matriarch at Del Mar at 1 mile on the lawn .
Accordingly , he has Blowout , Viadera and Tamahere as one-third of the nine-horse field .
Blowout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a third from 10 career starts , most of those in tough company .
Viadera has won two of three in New York since arriving from Ireland .
Tamahere , formerly raced in France , won her first U.S. start , the Grade II Sands Point at Belmont Park .
Among the locals in the Matriarch , Bodhicitta won the Grade II Yellow Ribbon over the course in her last start .
Mucho Unusual disappointed in the Breeders ' Cup but won the Grade I Rodeo Drive at Santa Anita before that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drive , then won the Grade II Goldikova last month .
Saturday 's $ 100,000 Aqueduct Turf Championship has a field of 10 , ranging from the favorite , Therapist , recent winner of the Artie Schiller Stakes at 1 mile on the Big A turf , to Hollywood Talent , a 9-year-old gelding claimed for $ 8,000 at Delaware Park two starts back .
Most of the field is suspect at this level although Turned Aside , a 3-year-old American Pharoah colt , did turn in a decent effort in his last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 100,000 Grade III Fall Highweight Handicap at Aqueduct has seven takers with assignments ranging from 128 pounds up to 133 for the 6 furlongs .
Notable here , Drafted is back from the Middle East where he has toiled for the past three seasons , winning multiple group stakes in Dubai and most recently finishing sixth in the Saudia Cup Sprint on Saudi Cup night Feb. 29 .
Majestic Dunhill , Share the Ride and Stan the Man will provide stiff competition with more recent races in graded stakes company .
Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grounds gave an indication of what to expect from this winter hotspot 's meeting .
Six horses went to the post having made their previous start at five different tracks -- Pimlico , Keeneland , Remington Park , Oaklawn Park and Churchill Downs .
Several were coming back from long layoffs .
Nitrous came from next-last to win by 1 1/2 lengths over Manny Wah with Mr. Money Bags third .
Nitrous , a 4-year-old Tapit colt last seen finishing third in the Grade III DeFrancis Dash at Pimlico , ran 6 furlongs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adam Beschizza in the irons for trainer Steve Asmussen .
`` I thought his last race was really good at Pimlico .
He was unlucky not to win that day , '' said Asmussen assistant Scott Blasi .
`` He seems to be rounding into form .
We always thought a lot him and look forward to him improving off this . ''
Already in the books : Vertical Threat surged quickly to the lead in Monday 's $ 200,000 Steel Valley Sprint for 3-year-olds at Mahoning Valley and kept right on going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Way was second , a head in front of Flatter Me Please .
Vertical Threat , a Tapiture colt trained by Richard Baltas , ran 6 furlongs on a muddy track in 1:10.07 .
The colt is part-owned by MyRacehorse.com so maybe the thousands of investors in that microsyndicate can find some solace after the retirement of Authentic .
Speaktomyoflove pressed the pace in Tuesday 's $ 60,000 B-Connected Stakes for Louisiana-breds , got by the early leader and outfinished Jus Lively , winning by a head .
The early pacesetter , Scarlettsblackjack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3-year-old Run Away and Hide gelding , ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:27.25 with Joe Stokes in the irons .
Saints N Muskets rallied from slightly off the pace to take Wednesday 's $ 60,000 Lookout Stakes for state-bred fillies and mares by 3 3/4 lengths .
Quikfast N Ahurry was second-best , 1 length ahead of Schiff 's Corner .
Saints N Muskets , a 5-year-old mare by Musket Man , reported in 1:28.50 over a wet-fast track with Stokes riding .
Around the world , around the clock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen before and likely wo n't ever see again : Three Triple Crown winners competing in the same race and two of them undefeated .
That 's Sunday 's Grade 1 Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse .
It 's also a passing of the baton as Almond Eye , winner of Japan 's 2018 filly Triple Crown -- and that year 's Japan Cup -- meets 3-year-olds Contrail and Daring Tact .
Contrail swept through this year 's Triple Crown and Daring Tact landed the filly equivalent .
The race also has several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lone foreigner -- French-trained Way to Paris , winner of the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud at Longchamp earlier this year .
`` Both Contrail and Daring Tact are amazing horses and they 've given us some very good races , '' said Almond Eye 's jockey , Christophe Lemaire .
`` They showed us both speed and stamina .
The two of them are very talented .
So , I think this year 's Japan Cup is going to be quite difficult .
It 's very hard to tell who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my strategy two days before the race . ''
There were concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic might play havoc with the `` international '' part of next month 's Longines Hong Kong International Races -- four Group 1 events that highlight the local season and effectively wrap up the world 's racing year .
No worries .
Thanks largely to Ireland 's Coolmore `` lads '' and trainer Aidan O'Brien , as well as the ever-willing and ever-dangerous Japanese , the races will be quite cosmopolitan with 15 invaders .
Magical , runner-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tops the list of foreigners and will provide a target in the Longines Hong Kong Cup for Japan-based defending champion Win Bright , 2019 BMW Hong Kong Derby winner Furore and others .
The Longines Hong Kong Mile features locally based Golden Sixty , this year 's Hong Kong Derby winner and victor in 10 straight races .
He takes on Group 1 company for the first time .
Japan won this race last year , too , with Admire Mars .
He returns .
So does two-time Hong Kong Horse of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearing the end of a fabulous career .
O'Brien has Order of Australia , upset winner of the Breeders ' Cup Mile at Keeneland , and Lope Y Fernandez , third in that race .
The Longines Hong Kong Sprint has Classique Legend making his first start for local connections .
The Not A Single Doubt gelding was imported after winning The Everest , Australia 's rich and prestigious sprint event , where he defeated seven individual Group 1 winners .
Hot King Prawn could be other local in the mix along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London .
Exultant , the 2018 winner , looks a solid favorite in the Longines Hong Kong Vase at 2,400 meters .
The main rival seems to be Mogul , another of the Coolmore-O'Brien lot , who won the Grand Prix de Paris and finished fifth in the Breeders ' Cup Turf on Nov. 7 .
`` To have entries of this caliber in any year would be notable , '' Hong Kong Jockey Club executive director of racing Andrew Harding .
`` But this year 's standard is remarkable given the challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel and quarantine issues .
`` We are delighted that the quality of the selected runners for this year 's Longines Hong Kong International Races is in keeping with our long-held commitment to deliver sporting excellence . ''

1/2
Orglandes, part of a weekend invasion by New York-based trainer Chad Brown, wins Thursday's Red Carpet at Del Mar. Benoit photo, courtesy of Del Mar Turf Club
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- The Thanksgiving weekend cornucopia of racing action already is overflowing onto our screens and, with luck, our bank accounts, with graded stakes action yet to come from coast to coast. Chad Brown shipped a planeload of horses across the continent for the weekend's turf races at Del Mar and quickly reaped rewards, winning the Thanksgiving Day feature. Advertisement
The Grade I Clark at Churchill Downs is a late-season opportunity for the dirt-runners.
For fans hip enough to dig international racing action, Sunday's Grade 1 Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse is well worth a look despite the time difference. It might be the only time ever that three Triple Crown winners line up in the same gate.
Also worth a look is the classy international field announced for next month's Longines Hong Kong International Races despite the pandemic restrictions.
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It's not too early to be thinking about Kentucky Derby 2021 with weekend action in Louisville, Tokyo and at a betting window (or computer screen) near you.
Fair Grounds and Delta Downs swing into action this weekend and Tampa Bay Downs sounds the Call to the Post on Wednesday.
We cue the bugler right now for:
The Road to the Roses
Can we already be into Kentucky Derby mode? Sure. Why not? Christmas decorations have been popping up for weeks and it really is only a little more than five months until the first Saturday in May.
A couple of sure Derby harbingers are in evidence this weekend: Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager and the first race of the "Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby".
The only odds-on bet in the Future Wager, which opens on Thanksgiving and closes Sunday evening, is that "all other 3-year-old colts and geldings" will emerge as the favorite. That's been the case in Pool 1 for 22 consecutive years and Churchill Downs oddsmaker
Mike Battaglia makes that the 6-5 morning-line pick. Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Essential Quality tops the 23 individual options at 10-1 on the Battaglia line. Remember, if your horse doesn't start in the Run for the Roses, you lose.
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Meanwhile in Tokyo, the Cattleya Sho kicks off the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby Saturday, the day before what promises to be one of the best-ever editions of the Japan Cup (see below).
It's the first of four races that award points toward a guaranteed berth for a Japanese horse at Churchill Downs. The European Road to the Kentucky Derby already has four races in the books with four different winners.
Oh ... some actual races for potential Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders will be held this weekend. Chief among them are Saturday's $200,000 Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club and $200,000 Grade II Golden Rod for fillies, both at 1 1/16 miles on the Churchill Downs dirt.
Juvenile races at Aqueduct and Del Mar are on the grass -- Saturday's $100,000 Central Park Stakes and Sunday's $100,000 Tepin Stakes for fillies at the Big A and Saturday's $100,000 Grade III Jimmy Durante for fillies and Sunday's $100,000 Cecil B. DeMille.
In the other divisions:
Classic
The Grade I Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs traditionally is one final opportunity for someone to step up and make a final bid for year-end honors in the handicap division.
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Friday's $500,000 renewal reflects the recent rash of retirements that leaves things pretty wide-open for the remaining old warriors. With 14 in the field and an also-eligible, oddsmaker Mike Battaglia has six horses clustered at single-digit odds -- a virtual "you pick 'em."
The 3-1 favorite on the Clark morning line is Code of Honor, whose only win in four starts this year came in the Grade III Westchester Stakes at Belmont Park in June.
He most recently was second in the Grade II Kelso over the same surface. In his only previous trip to Louisville, he was placed second in the 2019 Kentucky Derby after the disqualification of Maximum Security.
After him, there's By My Standards at 4-1, Owendale at 5-1, Mr. Freeze at 6-1 and Bodexpress and Aurelius Maximus, both at 8-1. The race is open to 3-year-olds and up, but the only 3-year-old in the field is Silver Prospector, a well-bred colt who returned from a long absence to win a Churchill Downs allowance race Oct. 30.
Saturday's $100,000 Grade III Discovery at Aqueduct has just five 3-year-olds but any of them could make a case for a spot in next year's Classic chase with a good showing.
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Shared Sense is the 3-1 morning-line favorite with victories in the Indiana Derby and Oklahoma Derby earlier this year for trainer Brad Cox. Attachment Rate, Monday Morning Qb and Forza Di Oro all exit wins of various sorts.
Distaff
Thursday's $200,000 Grade II Falls City at Churchill Downs was all Envoutante. The 3-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo jumped quickly to the lead for jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., shook off a brief challenge and went on to win by 6 lengths.
Odds-on favorite Bonny South tracked the pace and got second, 3 1/2 lengths ahead of Another Broad. Envoutante ran 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:49.11. She was fourth in the Grade I Alabama this summer at Saratoga and won the Grade III Remington Park Oaks in her most recent start in September.
"We were very confident by the way she was working in the mornings and hoping she was going to put it together in the afternoon," trainer Kenny McPeek said of Envoutante.
"She's worked against Swiss Skydiver and has really done well in her training. She's done a lot of traveling this year and got her graded stakes win in the Remington Oaks so winning another one was very special."
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Friday's $100,000 Grade III Comely at Aqueduct has 10 3-year-old fillies ready to tackle 1 1/8 miles. The field is headed, politely enough, by Mrs. Danvers and Miss Marissa.
The former has failed to hit the board only once in seven starts, that in the Grade I Test Stakes at Saratoga, where she reported fifth. The latter brings a three-race winning streak with the Grade II Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico her latest triumph.
Given the timing, one would have to consider Thankful, an American Pharoah filly with wins at Saratoga and Belmont Park in her last two starts.
Turf
Saturday's $300,000 Grade I Hollywood Derby at Del Mar is filled with transplants from the East Coast and Midwest.
Chad Brown ships Domestic Spending from New York, where he was 3-for-4 this year and won the Saratoga Derby Invitational in his last start. Also here is Gufo, a Christophe Clement trainee who was second in that Saratoga race, and then went on to win the Belmont Derby Invitational.
Get Smokin and Decorated Invader, the 1-2 finishers in the Grade II Hill Prince at Belmont Park in their last start, also made the trip.
The morning-line favorite, though, is Smooth Like Strait, a Midnight Lute colt who was last seen winning the Twilight Derby at Santa Anita by 1 1/2 lengths. He's won three of his last four starts for trainer Mike McCarthy.
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Brown also brings two of the 13 entered for Saturday's $200,000 Grade II Seabiscuit Handicap at Del Mar. Flavius won the Tourist Mile at Kentucky Downs two starts back and was a decent fifth in the Grade I Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland after traffic issues.
Stablemate Spirit Animal has won three of his last four against easier. The morning line has several others with decent records and longish odds. Anothertwistafate exits a handy victory in the Grade III Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs for trainer Peter Miller.
Arklow and Laccario feature in a full field for Friday's $200,000 Grade II Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar.
Arklow salvaged something from an otherwise tough year with a victory in the Grade III Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs in September, but then finished sixth in the Breeders' Cup Turf.
Laccario, a German-bred colt who won the Deutches Derby in 2019, makes his second U.S. start for trainer Graham Motion. He was second in the first effort, the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont Park Oct. 3.
Friday's $100,000 Gio Ponti for 3-year-olds at Aqueduct is another wide-open affair with a field of 12 and nothing resembling a favorite.
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The top pick on the morning line at 4-1 is Basquiat, an American Pharoah ridgling with one win from five starts -- that a Gulfstream Park maiden event back in April. In that context, just about the entire field deserves a look.
Filly & Mare Turf
Orglandes, a 4-year-old, French-bred filly by Le Havre shipped in from the East Coast as part of the Chad Brown herd, came rolling late to capture Thursday's $100,000 Grade III Red Carpet Handicap at Del Mar by 1/2 length.
Orglandes got by long shot Going to Vegas, who had taken a late lead, in the closing strides. Quick was third, another 1 length behind. Orglandes ran 1 3/8 miles on firm turf with Irad Ortiz Jr. in for the ride and that duo had to sweat out an inquiry into a stretch incident before the "official" sign was illuminated.
Orglandes now is 2-for-3 since being imported from France.
"Chad talked to the jockey in the morning," assistant trainer Jose Hernandez said. "He said just to break and play off of it. It's a mile and three-eighths, a long race, so the jockey can do what he feels. The pace was good and he was in a really good position and then made a strong finish."
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Saturday's $100,000 Grade III Long Island at Aqueduct has a well-matched, overflow field. In such cases, we look to trainers for hints and, indeed, the two morning-line picks are from well-regarded barns.
Chad Brown saddles Eliade, a 4-year-old, French-bred filly coming off a win on the Keeneland grass. Christophe Clement has three with the most likely being British-bred Mutamakina, a narrowly defeated third in her first U.S. start last month.
A full field is entered for Friday's $100,000 Forever Together at Aqueduct with the 2-1 morning line favorite, Tapit Today, drawn in the No. 12 stall.
The Tapit filly has four wins from 10 starts and has missed a top-three finish only twice. She comes off a win in the Grade III Athenia at Belmont Park last month. Those not liking the gate assignment have a wide option among the others.
As long as he was shipping horses west, Chad Brown figured he wouldn't ignore Sunday's $300,000 Grade I Matriarch at Del Mar at 1 mile on the lawn. Accordingly, he has Blowout, Viadera and Tamahere as one-third of the nine-horse field.
Blowout has three wins, six seconds and a third from 10 career starts, most of those in tough company. Viadera has won two of three in New York since arriving from Ireland. Tamahere, formerly raced in France, won her first U.S. start, the Grade II Sands Point at Belmont Park.
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Brad Cox ships Grade III Gallorette winner Juliet Foxtrot from Churchill Downs.
Among the locals in the Matriarch, Bodhicitta won the Grade II Yellow Ribbon over the course in her last start. Mucho Unusual disappointed in the Breeders' Cup but won the Grade I Rodeo Drive at Santa Anita before that. Maxim Rate was second in the Rodeo Drive, then won the Grade II Goldikova last month.
Turf Sprint
Saturday's $100,000 Aqueduct Turf Championship has a field of 10, ranging from the favorite, Therapist, recent winner of the Artie Schiller Stakes at 1 mile on the Big A turf, to Hollywood Talent, a 9-year-old gelding claimed for $8,000 at Delaware Park two starts back.
Most of the field is suspect at this level although Turned Aside, a 3-year-old American Pharoah colt, did turn in a decent effort in his last start at Kentucky Downs.
Sprint
Sunday's $100,000 Grade III Fall Highweight Handicap at Aqueduct has seven takers with assignments ranging from 128 pounds up to 133 for the 6 furlongs.
Notable here, Drafted is back from the Middle East where he has toiled for the past three seasons, winning multiple group stakes in Dubai and most recently finishing sixth in the Saudia Cup Sprint on Saudi Cup night Feb. 29.
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Majestic Dunhill, Share the Ride and Stan the Man will provide stiff competition with more recent races in graded stakes company.
Thursday's $60,000 Thanksgiving Handicap at Fair Grounds gave an indication of what to expect from this winter hotspot's meeting. Six horses went to the post having made their previous start at five different tracks -- Pimlico, Keeneland, Remington Park, Oaklawn Park and Churchill Downs. Several were coming back from long layoffs.
Nitrous came from next-last to win by 1 1/2 lengths over Manny Wah with Mr. Money Bags third. Nitrous, a 4-year-old Tapit colt last seen finishing third in the Grade III DeFrancis Dash at Pimlico, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.76 with Adam Beschizza in the irons for trainer Steve Asmussen.
"I thought his last race was really good at Pimlico. He was unlucky not to win that day," said Asmussen assistant Scott Blasi. "He seems to be rounding into form. We always thought a lot him and look forward to him improving off this."
Already in the books:
Vertical Threat surged quickly to the lead in Monday's $200,000 Steel Valley Sprint for 3-year-olds at Mahoning Valley and kept right on going to a 7 1/2-lengths victory. Williston Way was second, a head in front of Flatter Me Please.
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Vertical Threat, a Tapiture colt trained by Richard Baltas, ran 6 furlongs on a muddy track in 1:10.07. The colt is part-owned by MyRacehorse.com so maybe the thousands of investors in that microsyndicate can find some solace after the retirement of Authentic.
Elsewhere:
Delta Downs
Speaktomyoflove pressed the pace in Tuesday's $60,000 B-Connected Stakes for Louisiana-breds, got by the early leader and outfinished Jus Lively, winning by a head.
The early pacesetter, Scarlettsblackjack, finished third. Speaktomeoflove, a 3-year-old Run Away and Hide gelding, ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:27.25 with Joe Stokes in the irons.
Saints N Muskets rallied from slightly off the pace to take Wednesday's $60,000 Lookout Stakes for state-bred fillies and mares by 3 3/4 lengths. Quikfast N Ahurry was second-best, 1 length ahead of Schiff's Corner.
Saints N Muskets, a 5-year-old mare by Musket Man, reported in 1:28.50 over a wet-fast track with Stokes riding.
Around the world, around the clock:
Japan
Here's one you've never seen before and likely won't ever see again: Three Triple Crown winners competing in the same race and two of them undefeated. That's Sunday's Grade 1 Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse.
It's also a passing of the baton as Almond Eye, winner of Japan's 2018 filly Triple Crown -- and that year's Japan Cup -- meets 3-year-olds Contrail and Daring Tact. Contrail swept through this year's Triple Crown and Daring Tact landed the filly equivalent.
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The race also has several potential spoilers from the local stables and a lone foreigner -- French-trained Way to Paris, winner of the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud at Longchamp earlier this year.
"Both Contrail and Daring Tact are amazing horses and they've given us some very good races," said Almond Eye's jockey, Christophe Lemaire.
"They showed us both speed and stamina. The two of them are very talented. So, I think this year's Japan Cup is going to be quite difficult. It's very hard to tell who will win. I'll think about my strategy two days before the race."
Hong Kong
There were concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic might play havoc with the "international" part of next month's Longines Hong Kong International Races -- four Group 1 events that highlight the local season and effectively wrap up the world's racing year. No worries.
Thanks largely to Ireland's Coolmore "lads" and trainer Aidan O'Brien, as well as the ever-willing and ever-dangerous Japanese, the races will be quite cosmopolitan with 15 invaders.
Magical, runner-up in the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland, tops the list of foreigners and will provide a target in the Longines Hong Kong Cup for Japan-based defending champion Win Bright, 2019 BMW Hong Kong Derby winner Furore and others.
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The Longines Hong Kong Mile features locally based Golden Sixty, this year's Hong Kong Derby winner and victor in 10 straight races. He takes on Group 1 company for the first time. Japan won this race last year, too, with Admire Mars. He returns.
So does two-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Beauty Generation, who is nearing the end of a fabulous career. O'Brien has Order of Australia, upset winner of the Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland, and Lope Y Fernandez, third in that race.
The Longines Hong Kong Sprint has Classique Legend making his first start for local connections. The Not A Single Doubt gelding was imported after winning The Everest, Australia's rich and prestigious sprint event, where he defeated seven individual Group 1 winners.
Hot King Prawn could be other local in the mix along with Japan's Danon Smash and Tower of London.
Exultant, the 2018 winner, looks a solid favorite in the Longines Hong Kong Vase at 2,400 meters. The main rival seems to be Mogul, another of the Coolmore-O'Brien lot, who won the Grand Prix de Paris and finished fifth in the Breeders' Cup Turf on Nov. 7.
"To have entries of this caliber in any year would be notable," Hong Kong Jockey Club executive director of racing Andrew Harding. "But this year's standard is remarkable given the challenge of the pandemic and all its attendant travel and quarantine issues.
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"We are delighted that the quality of the selected runners for this year's Longines Hong Kong International Races is in keeping with our long-held commitment to deliver sporting excellence."


upi--2020-11-27--China slaps stiff tariffs on Australian wine amid climbing tensions

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- China on Friday announced it was increasing tariffs on Australian wine imports , some as high as 200 % , as tensions between the two nations continue to climb .
China 's Ministry of Commerce announced the decision to increase tariffs on Australian wine due to preliminary results of an anti-dumping investigation that found China 's domestic industry was damaged by Australia 's actions .
Tariffs between 107.1 % and 212.7 % will be applied from Saturday , it said in a statement .
Australia 's minister for Trade , Tourism and Investment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a devastating blow '' to the wine industry while rejecting the accusation that they were participating in price dumping .
`` These are very signifiant impositions on Australian wine , '' he said in a short press conference on the matter Friday .
`` They will have the effect of rendering largely unmarketable , unviable the Chinese wine industry or the Chinese wine market for Australian producers . ''
He said the notion that Australia has subsidized its wine industry to sell product at or below cost in international markets is untrue and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Birmingham said the move , which follows China imposing other trade sanctions against the Oceania country this year , suggests they are punitive more than economic .
`` The cumulative impact of China 's trade sanctions against a number of Australian industries in the course of this year does give rise the perception that these actions are being undertaken as a result or in response to some other factors , '' he said without specifying .
Relations between China and Australia have soured in the past year with the Asian nation imposing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other such moves .
Last week , Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian blamed Australia in an interview with state-run media Global Times for the downturn in relations due to its `` Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice '' as some people in the nation `` tend to regard China 's development as a threat . ''
Australia in the past year has pushed back against China 's human rights abuses and banned its behemoth electronics company Huawei from participating in its development of 5G internet infrastructure over national security concerns .
In April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endorsing an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus -- a move that China 's ambassador to Australia , Cheng Jingye , warned may lead to a Chinese boycott of Australian products .
Australia also ended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in early July after Beijing implemented a draconian and widely condemned national security law upon the former British colony .
Zhao said China does n't want to see its relationship deteriorate with Australia but `` the responsibility for causing this situation does n't lie with China at all . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will own up to the real reason for the setback in bilateral relations , look at China and China 's development objectively and rationally , earnestly handle bilateral relations based on mutual respect and equal treatment and do more things conducive to enhancing mutual trust and promoting pragmatic cooperation between the two countries , '' he said .

Chinese shoppers peruse the wine aisle at an international supermarket in Beijing, China, on, December 22, 2019. On Thursday, China imposed stiff tariffs on Australian wine, accusing the Oceania country of price dumping. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- China on Friday announced it was increasing tariffs on Australian wine imports, some as high as 200%, as tensions between the two nations continue to climb. China's Ministry of Commerce announced the decision to increase tariffs on Australian wine due to preliminary results of an anti-dumping investigation that found China's domestic industry was damaged by Australia's actions. Advertisement
Tariffs between 107.1% and 212.7% will be applied from Saturday, it said in a statement.
Australia's minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Simon Birmingham, called the move "a devastating blow" to the wine industry while rejecting the accusation that they were participating in price dumping.
"These are very signifiant impositions on Australian wine," he said in a short press conference on the matter Friday. "They will have the effect of rendering largely unmarketable, unviable the Chinese wine industry or the Chinese wine market for Australian producers."
He said the notion that Australia has subsidized its wine industry to sell product at or below cost in international markets is untrue and that they will defend their wine producers.
Birmingham said the move, which follows China imposing other trade sanctions against the Oceania country this year, suggests they are punitive more than economic.
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"The cumulative impact of China's trade sanctions against a number of Australian industries in the course of this year does give rise the perception that these actions are being undertaken as a result or in response to some other factors," he said without specifying.
Relations between China and Australia have soured in the past year with the Asian nation imposing tariffs on Australian barley in May among other such moves.
Last week, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian blamed Australia in an interview with state-run media Global Times for the downturn in relations due to its "Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice" as some people in the nation "tend to regard China's development as a threat."
Australia in the past year has pushed back against China's human rights abuses and banned its behemoth electronics company Huawei from participating in its development of 5G internet infrastructure over national security concerns.
In April, Australia joined the United States in endorsing an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus -- a move that China's ambassador to Australia, Cheng Jingye, warned may lead to a Chinese boycott of Australian products.
Australia also ended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in early July after Beijing implemented a draconian and widely condemned national security law upon the former British colony.
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Zhao said China doesn't want to see its relationship deteriorate with Australia but "the responsibility for causing this situation doesn't lie with China at all."
"We hope that the Australian side will own up to the real reason for the setback in bilateral relations, look at China and China's development objectively and rationally, earnestly handle bilateral relations based on mutual respect and equal treatment and do more things conducive to enhancing mutual trust and promoting pragmatic cooperation between the two countries," he said.


upi--2020-11-27--Famous birthdays for Nov. 27: Bill Nye, Kathryn Bigelow

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius .
-- Anders @ @ @ @ @ the centigrade thermometer , in 1701 -- Filipino pediatrician Fe del Mundi , first woman @ @ @ @ @ , in 1911 -- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Jimi Hendrix in 1942 @ @ @ @ @ ambassador and daughter of President John F. Kennedy , in 1957 ( age 63 )

Bill Nye arrives on the red carpet at the "Men In Black International" premiere at AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13 on June 11, 2019, in New York City. He turns 65 on November 27. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius. They include: Advertisement
-- Anders Celsius, Swedish astronomer/inventor of the centigrade thermometer, in 1701
-- Filipino pediatrician Fe del Mundi, first woman admitted to Harvard Medical School, in 1911
-- Entertainer "Buffalo Bob" Smith in 1917
-- Writer Gail Sheehy in 1937
-- Actor/martial arts star Bruce Lee in 1940
-- Singer Eddie Rabbitt in 1941
-- Olympic gold medal-winning sprinter Henry Carr in 1941
-- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Jimi Hendrix in 1942
-- Actor James Avery in 1945
-- Film director Kathryn Bigelow in 1951 (age 69)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UUPI
-- Actor Curtis Armstrong in 1953 (age 67)
-- Bill Nye "The Science Guy," in 1955 (age 65)
-- Caroline Kennedy, former ambassador and daughter of President John F. Kennedy, in 1957 (age 63)
-- Actor Fisher Stevens in 1963 (age 57)
-- Actor Robin Givens in 1964 (age 56)
-- Actor Jaleel White in 1976 (age 44)
-- Actor Aubrey Peeples in 1993 (age 27)
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upi--2020-11-27--College hoops, celebrity golf, Mike Tyson bout top weekend sports

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- Peyton Manning and Stephen Curry battle Phil Mickelson and Charles Barkley in a celebrity golf match in one of the main sports events this weekend .
Dozens of football , basketball and soccer games fill the schedule .
The 2020-2021 college basketball season started Wednesday and the opening wave of games continues through the weekend .
A gauntlet of college and NFL football games and soccer matches from the United States and abroad also should provide plenty of entertainment over Thanksgiving weekend .
Boxing legend Mike Tyson also will be in action in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday .
UFC fights also pack Saturday 's schedule of sporting events .
Gonzaga , ranked No .
2 in the coaches poll , will appear in the first nationally televised men 's basketball game Friday .
The Bulldogs will battle Auburn at 11 a.m. EST on Fox .
No .
4 Virginia did not have a chance to defend its 2019 championship , with last year 's men 's basketball tournament canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The Cavaliers will battle San Francisco at 11:30 a.m. EST Friday on ESPN .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 Iowa , No .
7 Wisconsin and No .
10 Illinois also take the court Friday .
No .
8 Duke and No .
12 Michigan State will be among the teams in action Saturday .
No .
9 Kentucky will battle Richmond at 1 p.m. EST Sunday on ESPN .
No .
13 Texas Tech , No .
17 Arizona State , No .
18 Houston , No .
23 Rutgers and No .
24 Ohio State are among other top teams in action that day .
Golden State Warriors guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will face basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley and PGA Tour star Phil Mickelson in The Match : Champions for Change golf match at 3 p.m. EST Friday on TNT .
The alternate-shot match play competition will take place at Mickelson 's Stone Canyon Golf Club in Oro Valley , Ariz. Each player will wear a microphone throughout the competition .
Mickelson and Tiger Woods appeared in the first edition of the match two years ago in Las Vegas .
Mickelson then teamed up with Tom Brady to battle Manning and Woods in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Friday 's event will go to Historically Black Colleges and Universities .
Two of the greatest boxers of all time will battle in an exhibition bout , Mike Tyson taking on Roy Jones Jr. on Saturday at Staples Center in Los Angeles .
The event will air on pay-per-view .
Tyson , 54 , has n't fought since a 2005 loss to Kevin McBride .
The Hall of Famer has a 50-6 career record .
Jones , 51 , has a 66-9 mark and last fought in 2018 .
He has won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favored the win the bout on most sports betting websites .
The main event is one of seven bouts on two cards .
The first card starts at 8 p.m. with a heavyweight match between Joe Cusumano and Gregory Corbin ; the main card starts at 9 p.m. EST .
Viddal Riley will fight Rashad Coulter in the first bout of the main card .
Badou Jack then will fight Blake McKernan , and then Jake Paul will take on Nate Robinson in a light heavyweight bout .
Tyson and Jones will then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gonzaga vs. Auburn at 11 a.m. EST on Fox Virginia vs. San Francisco at 11:30 a.m. EST on ESPN Ohio at Illinois at 1 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network Kansas vs. Saint Joseph 's at 2 p.m. EST on FS1 Sam Houston State at Texas Tech at 2 p.m. EST on ESPNU Boise State at Houston at 3 p.m. EST on ESPN+ Gardner Webb at Florida State at 3 p.m. EST on ACC Network Alternate UCLA vs. Pepperdine at 3 p.m. EST on Pac 12 Network Seton Hall at Louisville at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa at 5 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network Fairleigh Dickinson at Rutgers at 7 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network Arkansas Pine Bluff at Wisconsin at 9 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network Iowa State at Texas at noon EST on ABC Nebraska at Iowa at 1 p.m. EST on Fox Notre Dame at North Carolina at 3:30 p.m. EST on ABC Oregon at Oregon State at 7:30 p.m. EST on ESPN The Match : Champions for Change : Phil Mickelson-Charles Barkley vs. Stephen Curry-Peyton Manning at 3 p.m. EST on TNT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7:30 a.m. EST on Peacock Premium Premier League : Manchester City vs. Burnley at 10 a.m. EST on NBCSN Serie A : Benevento vs. Juventus at noon EST on ESPN+ Premier League : Everton vs. Leeds United at 12:30 p.m. EST on NBC La Liga : Real Madrid vs. Alaves at 3 p.m. EST on beIN Sports USA Ohio State at Illinois at noon EST on FS1 Kentucky at Florida at noon EST on ESPN Maryland at Indiana at noon EST on ESPN2 Texas Tech at Oklahoma State at noon EST on Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on ABC Coastal Carolina at Texas State at 3 p.m. EST on ESPN+ Auburn at Alabama at 3:30 p.m. EST on CBS Pittsburgh at Clemson at 3:30 p.m. EST on ESPN Northwestern at Michigan State at 3:30 p.m. EST on ESPN2 Colorado at USC at 3:30 p.m. EST on ABC Rutgers at Purdue at 4 p.m. EST on FS1 LSU at Texas A & M at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN Kansas State at Baylor at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN2 Georgia at South Carolina at 7:30 p.m. EST on SEC Network Arizona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox Coppin State at Duke at 2 p.m. EST on ACC Network Alternate Notre Dame at Michigan State at 8 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network Viddal Riley vs. Rashad Coulter at 9 p.m. EST on pay-per-view Badou Jack vs. Blake McKernan after first bout on pay-per-view Jake Paul vs. Nate Robinson after second bout on pay-per-view Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. after third bout on pay-per-view Miguel Baeza vs. Takashi Sato after first fight Josh Parisian vs. Parker Porter after second fight Anthony Smith vs. Devin Clark after third fight La @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a.m. EST on beIN Sports USA Premier League : Southampton vs. Manchester United at 9 a.m. EST on NBCSN Premier League : Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur at 11:30 a.m. EST on NBCSN Premier League : Arsenal vs. Wolves at 2:15 p.m. EST on NBCSN MLS Cup Playoffs : Orlando City vs. New England Revolution at 3 p.m. EST on ABC MLS Cup Playoffs : Columbus Crew vs. Nashville SC at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN Dolphins at Jets at 1 p.m. EST on CBS Cardinals at Patriots at 1 p.m. EST on Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Fox Browns at Jaguars at 1 p.m. EST on CBS Titans at Colts at 1 p.m. EST on CBS Giants at Bengals at 1 p.m. EST on Fox Chargers at Bills at 1 p.m. EST on CBS Raiders at Falcons at 1 p.m. EST on CBS Ravens at Steelers at 1:15 p.m. EST on NBC 49ers at Rams at 4:05 p.m. EST on Fox Saints at Broncos at 4:05 p.m. EST on Fox Chiefs at Buccaneers at 4:25 p.m. EST on CBS Bears at Packers at 8:20 p.m. EST on NBC Richmond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ESPN UMass Lowell at Ohio State at 4 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network Hofstra at Rutgers at 4 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network Houston vs. Texas Tech at 5:30 p.m. EST on ESPN2 Oakland at Michigan at 6 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network South Florida vs. Virginia Tech at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN2

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Coach Tony Bennett and the Virginia Cavaliers will face San Francisco at 11:30 a.m. EST Friday on ESPN. File Photo by Bryan Woolston/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Peyton Manning and Stephen Curry battle Phil Mickelson and Charles Barkley in a celebrity golf match in one of the main sports events this weekend. Dozens of football, basketball and soccer games fill the schedule. The 2020-2021 college basketball season started Wednesday and the opening wave of games continues through the weekend. Advertisement
A gauntlet of college and NFL football games and soccer matches from the United States and abroad also should provide plenty of entertainment over Thanksgiving weekend.
Boxing legend Mike Tyson also will be in action in an exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr. on Saturday. UFC fights also pack Saturday's schedule of sporting events.
College basketball returns
Gonzaga, ranked No. 2 in the coaches poll, will appear in the first nationally televised men's basketball game Friday. The Bulldogs will battle Auburn at 11 a.m. EST on Fox.
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No. 4 Virginia did not have a chance to defend its 2019 championship, with last year's men's basketball tournament canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Cavaliers will battle San Francisco at 11:30 a.m. EST Friday on ESPN.
No. 5 Kansas, No. 6 Iowa, No. 7 Wisconsin and No. 10 Illinois also take the court Friday. No. 8 Duke and No. 12 Michigan State will be among the teams in action Saturday.
No. 9 Kentucky will battle Richmond at 1 p.m. EST Sunday on ESPN. No. 13 Texas Tech, No. 17 Arizona State, No. 18 Houston, No. 23 Rutgers and No. 24 Ohio State are among other top teams in action that day.
Celebrity golf
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and NFL legend Peyton Manning will face basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley and PGA Tour star Phil Mickelson in The Match: Champions for Change golf match at 3 p.m. EST Friday on TNT.
The alternate-shot match play competition will take place at Mickelson's Stone Canyon Golf Club in Oro Valley, Ariz. Each player will wear a microphone throughout the competition.
Mickelson and Tiger Woods appeared in the first edition of the match two years ago in Las Vegas. Mickelson then teamed up with Tom Brady to battle Manning and Woods in the second matchup in May.
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Proceeds from Friday's event will go to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Mike Tyson bout
Two of the greatest boxers of all time will battle in an exhibition bout, Mike Tyson taking on Roy Jones Jr. on Saturday at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The event will air on pay-per-view.
Tyson, 54, hasn't fought since a 2005 loss to Kevin McBride. The Hall of Famer has a 50-6 career record. Jones, 51, has a 66-9 mark and last fought in 2018. He has won his last four fights.
Tyson is favored the win the bout on most sports betting websites. The main event is one of seven bouts on two cards. The first card starts at 8 p.m. with a heavyweight match between Joe Cusumano and Gregory Corbin; the main card starts at 9 p.m. EST.
Viddal Riley will fight Rashad Coulter in the first bout of the main card. Badou Jack then will fight Blake McKernan, and then Jake Paul will take on Nate Robinson in a light heavyweight bout. Tyson and Jones will then take the ring for the main event.
Friday
College basketball
Gonzaga vs. Auburn at 11 a.m. EST on Fox
Virginia vs. San Francisco at 11:30 a.m. EST on ESPN
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Ohio at Illinois at 1 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network
Kansas vs. Saint Joseph's at 2 p.m. EST on FS1
Sam Houston State at Texas Tech at 2 p.m. EST on ESPNU
Boise State at Houston at 3 p.m. EST on ESPN+
Gardner Webb at Florida State at 3 p.m. EST on ACC Network Alternate
UCLA vs. Pepperdine at 3 p.m. EST on Pac 12 Network
Seton Hall at Louisville at 4 p.m. EST on ESPN2
Southern at Iowa at 5 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network
Fairleigh Dickinson at Rutgers at 7 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network
Arkansas Pine Bluff at Wisconsin at 9 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network
College football
Iowa State at Texas at noon EST on ABC
Nebraska at Iowa at 1 p.m. EST on Fox
Notre Dame at North Carolina at 3:30 p.m. EST on ABC
Oregon at Oregon State at 7:30 p.m. EST on ESPN
Golf
The Match: Champions for Change: Phil Mickelson-Charles Barkley vs. Stephen Curry-Peyton Manning at 3 p.m. EST on TNT
Saturday
Soccer
Premier League: Brighton vs. Liverpool at 7:30 a.m. EST on Peacock Premium
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Premier League: Manchester City vs. Burnley at 10 a.m. EST on NBCSN
Serie A: Benevento vs. Juventus at noon EST on ESPN+
Premier League: Everton vs. Leeds United at 12:30 p.m. EST on NBC
La Liga: Real Madrid vs. Alaves at 3 p.m. EST on beIN Sports USA
College football
Ohio State at Illinois at noon EST on FS1
Kentucky at Florida at noon EST on ESPN
Maryland at Indiana at noon EST on ESPN2
Texas Tech at Oklahoma State at noon EST on Fox
Penn State at Michigan at noon EST on ABC
Coastal Carolina at Texas State at 3 p.m. EST on ESPN+
Auburn at Alabama at 3:30 p.m. EST on CBS
Pittsburgh at Clemson at 3:30 p.m. EST on ESPN
Northwestern at Michigan State at 3:30 p.m. EST on ESPN2
Rutgers at Purdue at 4 p.m. EST on FS1
LSU at Texas A&M at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN
Kansas State at Baylor at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN2
Georgia at South Carolina at 7:30 p.m. EST on SEC Network
Arizona at UCLA at 8 p.m. EST on Fox
College basketball
Coppin State at Duke at 2 p.m. EST on ACC Network Alternate
Notre Dame at Michigan State at 8 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network
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Boxing
Viddal Riley vs. Rashad Coulter at 9 p.m. EST on pay-per-view
Badou Jack vs. Blake McKernan after first bout on pay-per-view
Jake Paul vs. Nate Robinson after second bout on pay-per-view
Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. after third bout on pay-per-view
UFC Fight Night on ESPN+
Spike Carlyle vs. Bill Algeo at 10 p.m. EST
Miguel Baeza vs. Takashi Sato after first fight
Josh Parisian vs. Parker Porter after second fight
Anthony Smith vs. Devin Clark after third fight
Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis after fourth fight
Sunday
Soccer
La Liga: Barcelona vs. Osasuna at 8 a.m. EST on beIN Sports USA
Premier League: Southampton vs. Manchester United at 9 a.m. EST on NBCSN
Premier League: Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur at 11:30 a.m. EST on NBCSN
Premier League: Arsenal vs. Wolves at 2:15 p.m. EST on NBCSN
MLS Cup Playoffs: Orlando City vs. New England Revolution at 3 p.m. EST on ABC
MLS Cup Playoffs: Columbus Crew vs. Nashville SC at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN
NFL
Dolphins at Jets at 1 p.m. EST on CBS
Cardinals at Patriots at 1 p.m. EST on Fox
Panthers at Vikings at 1 p.m. EST on Fox
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Browns at Jaguars at 1 p.m. EST on CBS
Titans at Colts at 1 p.m. EST on CBS
Giants at Bengals at 1 p.m. EST on Fox
Chargers at Bills at 1 p.m. EST on CBS
Raiders at Falcons at 1 p.m. EST on CBS
Ravens at Steelers at 1:15 p.m. EST on NBC
49ers at Rams at 4:05 p.m. EST on Fox
Saints at Broncos at 4:05 p.m. EST on Fox
Chiefs at Buccaneers at 4:25 p.m. EST on CBS
Bears at Packers at 8:20 p.m. EST on NBC
College basketball
Richmond at Kentucky at 1 p.m. EST on ESPN
UMass Lowell at Ohio State at 4 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network
Hofstra at Rutgers at 4 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network
Houston vs. Texas Tech at 5:30 p.m. EST on ESPN2
Oakland at Michigan at 6 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network
South Florida vs. Virginia Tech at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN2
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-27--On This Day, Nov. 27: Pope Paul VI escapes assassination attempt

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1901 , the U.S. War Department authorized creation of the Army War College to instruct commissioned officers .
It was built in Leavenworth , Kan .
In 1924 , the first Macy 's Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in New York .
In 1940 , two months after Gen. Ion Antonescu seized power in Romania and forced King Carol II to abdicate , more than 60 aides of the exiled king , including Nicolae Iorga , a former minister and acclaimed historian , were executed .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempted to injure Pope Paul VI at Manila Airport in the Philippines .
In 1978 , a disgruntled former San Francisco official shot and killed Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk , the first openly gay official elected in California .
In 1989 , Virginia certified Douglas Wilder as the first elected U.S. African-American governor by a margin of 0.38 percent of the vote .
In 1992 , a fire destroyed parts of the Hofburg Palace in Vienna , Austria , threatening the famous Lipizzaner stallions .
In 2003 , U.S. President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cover of darkness in a surprise visit to U.S. forces in Baghdad .
The president mingled with troops gathered in a hangar for Thanksgiving dinner and joined the serving line , dishing out corn and sweet potatoes .
Bush 's 2 1/2 hour stay marked the first time a U.S. president traveled to Iraq .
In 2019 , President Donald Trump signed a bill supporting Hong Kong protesters ' pro-democracy fight against China , putting him at odds with Beijing .

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Msgr. Pasquale Macci (C), private secretary to Pope Paul VI, pushes away a crew-cut, cassock-clad man (R) trying to attack the pope with a knife at the airport in Manila, Philippines, shortly after the Pope’s arrival on November 27, 1970. UPI File Photo | License Photo
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1901, the U.S. War Department authorized creation of the Army War College to instruct commissioned officers. It was built in Leavenworth, Kan. Advertisement
In 1924, the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in New York.
In 1940, two months after Gen. Ion Antonescu seized power in Romania and forced King Carol II to abdicate, more than 60 aides of the exiled king, including Nicolae Iorga, a former minister and acclaimed historian, were executed.
File Photo courtesy the Germany Federal Archive
In 1970, a man with a knife attempted to injure Pope Paul VI at Manila Airport in the Philippines.
In 1978, a disgruntled former San Francisco official shot and killed Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, the first openly gay official elected in California.
In 1989, Virginia certified Douglas Wilder as the first elected U.S. African-American governor by a margin of 0.38 percent of the vote.
In 1992, a fire destroyed parts of the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria, threatening the famous Lipizzaner stallions.
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In 2003, U.S. President George W. Bush arrived in Iraq under the cover of darkness in a surprise visit to U.S. forces in Baghdad. The president mingled with troops gathered in a hangar for Thanksgiving dinner and joined the serving line, dishing out corn and sweet potatoes. Bush's 2 1/2 hour stay marked the first time a U.S. president traveled to Iraq.
File Photo by Roger Williams/UPI
In 2019, President Donald Trump signed a bill supporting Hong Kong protesters' pro-democracy fight against China, putting him at odds with Beijing.


upi--2020-11-27--3 French police officers suspended for beating Black man

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- Three French police officers have been suspended after security camera footage surfaced of them beating a Black man over the weekend .
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said Thursday on Twitter that he directed the Paris police chief to suspend the officers .
The order was issued after local online news outlet Loopsider published video camera footage on Thursday of the three police officers beating a Black man , who has been identified as music producer Michel Zecler , on Saturday night .
The officers are seen in the video pummeling Zecler with their fists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the five-minute beating .
Zecler told Loopsider that he was walking to his studio in a wealthy area of Paris and quickly ducked inside when he saw a police cruiser because he was n't wearing a mask , which is mandatory , prior to when the beating began , The New York Times reported .
Darmanin said the images of the beating were `` unspeakable and unbearable '' and that an investigation has been opened into the incident and that he hoped it would soon be completed .
`` If justice finds fault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the national police force because they would no longer be worthy of wearing the uniform of the republic , '' he said in a tweet .
Zecler told reporters Thursday as he arrived at police headquarters to file a complaint that he wants the officers to be punished according to the law .
`` People who should have been protecting me attacked me , '' he said , the BBC reported .
`` I did nothing to deserve this . ''
Zecler was initially charged with resisting arrested but the case was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the victim of racism .
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said via Twitter she was `` shocked by this intolerable act . ''
`` All the consequences must be drawn from these exceptionally serious facts , '' she said .
`` The rule of law is not negotiable .
All my support to Michel . ''
The incident occurred amid mounting criticism and following protests against the French government 's push to pass legislation to ban distributing pictures or footage of police where the officers can be identified .

Riot police clear protesters gathered on Place du Trocadero near the Eiffel Tower on November 21 after a demonstration against the newly passed global security legislation that aims to ban the distribution of photos in which police officers and gendarmes can be identified. Photo by Ian Langsdon/EPA-EFE
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Three French police officers have been suspended after security camera footage surfaced of them beating a Black man over the weekend. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said Thursday on Twitter that he directed the Paris police chief to suspend the officers. Advertisement
The order was issued after local online news outlet Loopsider published video camera footage on Thursday of the three police officers beating a Black man, who has been identified as music producer Michel Zecler, on Saturday night.
The officers are seen in the video pummeling Zecler with their fists and police batons over the course of the five-minute beating.
Zecler told Loopsider that he was walking to his studio in a wealthy area of Paris and quickly ducked inside when he saw a police cruiser because he wasn't wearing a mask, which is mandatory, prior to when the beating began, The New York Times reported.
Darmanin said the images of the beating were "unspeakable and unbearable" and that an investigation has been opened into the incident and that he hoped it would soon be completed.
"If justice finds fault, I will dismiss these three policemen from the national police force because they would no longer be worthy of wearing the uniform of the republic," he said in a tweet.
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Zecler told reporters Thursday as he arrived at police headquarters to file a complaint that he wants the officers to be punished according to the law.
"People who should have been protecting me attacked me," he said, the BBC reported. "I did nothing to deserve this."
Zecler was initially charged with resisting arrested but the case was later dropped.
He said he was the victim of racism.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said via Twitter she was "shocked by this intolerable act."
"All the consequences must be drawn from these exceptionally serious facts," she said. "The rule of law is not negotiable. All my support to Michel."
The incident occurred amid mounting criticism and following protests against the French government's push to pass legislation to ban distributing pictures or footage of police where the officers can be identified.


upi--2020-11-27--1 dead, 4 injured in Thanksgiving Day shooting in Nevada

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- Police in Nevada said they have arrested two suspects after an early morning shooting on Thanksgiving left one person dead and four others injured .
The Henderson Police Department said in a press release Thursday that it received a call about a shooting in Henderson , located just outside Las Vegas , before 1 a.m. , and as officers were arriving on the scene several other calls were made from victims saying they had been shot throughout the city .
`` It is believed that the suspects were driving around the city randomly shooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the department said .
A 22-year-old man was found dead while four others -- a 23-year-old woman and three men ages 18 , 41 and 53 -- were transported to an area hospital for treatment and were expected to survive , authorities said .
The suspects were later arrested on unrelated charges by the Arizona Department of Public Safety , the Henderson Police Department said .
The suspects were described by the police as a White man with a beard between the ages of 20 and 30 and a White woman in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or paint on their faces .
The case is being investigated as Henderson 's 13th murder of the year .
The name of the deceased will be released by the Clark County Coroner 's Office following notification of the next of kin .

Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Police in Nevada said they have arrested two suspects after an early morning shooting on Thanksgiving left one person dead and four others injured.
The Henderson Police Department said in a press release Thursday that it received a call about a shooting in Henderson, located just outside Las Vegas, before 1 a.m., and as officers were arriving on the scene several other calls were made from victims saying they had been shot throughout the city.
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"It is believed that the suspects were driving around the city randomly shooting at citizens with no apparent motive," the department said.
A 22-year-old man was found dead while four others -- a 23-year-old woman and three men ages 18, 41 and 53 -- were transported to an area hospital for treatment and were expected to survive, authorities said.
The suspects were later arrested on unrelated charges by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Henderson Police Department said.
The suspects were described by the police as a White man with a beard between the ages of 20 and 30 and a White woman in her 20s.
Both had either tattoos or paint on their faces.
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The case is being investigated as Henderson's 13th murder of the year.
The name of the deceased will be released by the Clark County Coroner's Office following notification of the next of kin.