AAF Week 3 - Birmingham Iron vs Atlanta Legends

Atlanta Legends Make Home Debut

One has to wonder what the crowd is going to look like in Atlanta on Sunday. The Legends haven’t exactly made an impression on anyone in the first couple of week. The team continues to start quarterback Matt Simms over Georgia Bulldog alum, Aaron Murray. Murray hasn’t exactly proven anything yet, he is a household name in Georgia. Take a peek at many of the AAF fan pages, and you’ll see fans all over the nation begging the Legends to start Murray over Simms. It’s hard to imagine the Legends are going to have much of a home crowd to play for. Especially with up to 8" of rain falling on the area this past week.

Date: Sunday, Feb. 24 | Time: 4 p.m. ET
Location: Georgia State Stadium -- Atlanta, Georgia
TV: CBS Sports Network | Live stream:CBS Sports Network

Line: Iron -7.5; O/U: 38.

This is a do-or-die game for the Legends. Going 0-3 will further cement their position as the league’s worst team. It will all but ruin their chances at making the AAF playoffs in April. A win at home could begin to turn the tide and put them on a different trajectory. The Legends face an uphill battle against one of the league’s best teams this weekend. It will take a solid effort on both sides of the ball.

Players to Watch

Matt Simms, QB: As much as you all would like to see Murray start Atlanta’s first home game, it appears the team will be sticking with Simms for the time being. His completion rate did jump between the first and second weeks. It went from 54% to 68%. He threw one interception in San Diego. He also threw for a touchdown. Despite the losing streak, Simms is progressing.

Tyson Graham, DB: Graham continues to be as one of Atlanta’s best defensive players. Through two tough road games, he’s recorded 14 total tackles (11 solo) and a single quarterback hit. The defensive back faces a tough matchup against Birmingham quarterback Luis Perez. He was instrumental in the team’s comeback win over Salt Lake last weekend.

Malachi Jones, WR: One half of the Legends very own Jones Bros. He is the only Legends player to score a touchdown. Jones caught all three of the passes thrown to him last weekend for 27 yards. Both Simms and Jones were able to beat double coverage in the team’s first touchdown of the year, hinting that Jones is better than what we’ve witnessed so far.

Birmingham Iron Hit the Road

The Iron ranked third in most of the AAF power ranking this week. But an argument could be made that they’re simply tied with the Arizona Hotshots for second. Outstanding defensive play has shot Birmingham to the top of the rankings. They are definitely one of the top units in the league and when you have a defense this good, your team has a shot.

The team hits the road for the first time, and it almost seems that their first road game is an easy pick. How can Atlanta’s stumbling offense find ANY traction against a dominating Iron defense? Even with the potential “home-field advantage” it seems doubtful that Atlanta can bowl over the solid Birmingham Iron.

Players to Watch

Trent Richardson, RB: So far, Richardson is showing himself to be the AAF’s own James White. He’s walked in three touchdowns and a 49.5 YPG average. He’s hauled in a successful two-point conversion as well. Richardson is easily one of Birmingham’s best offensive weapons. The Atlanta defense has allowed 64 points over two games will most likely struggle to contain him.

Luis Perez, QB: Perez is starting off hot with an average of 218 yards per game and completing 60.6% of his passes. The young quarterback is among the best in the league. He has been pivotal in Birmingham’s success over the first two weeks. Atlanta’s secondary does have a lot of talent in Doran Grant and Graham. Iron fans shouldn’t expect Perez’s performance to slide on Sunday unless all the rain hangs around on Sunday.

Jeremy Faulk, DL: Faulk was a monster last week with four tackles (one for a loss), two quarterback hits and a sack. As important as Perez was in leading Birmingham’s comeback over Salt Lake, Faulk equally as instrumental in setting the team up for the comeback. That is thanks to two tipped passes in the fourth quarter. The defensive lineman has racked up eight total tackles. He is proving himself the cog of the Iron’s top-shelf defense. Faulk will cause havoc for the Legends this weekend as well if Atlanta’s offensive line continues to deteriorate.

AAF Week Three Matchup

This matchup doesn’t bode well for the Legends. There’s simply no other way to put it. It would take serious adjustments to overcome the deficiencies that Atlanta has. You almost have to respect their stubborn persistence in sticking with Simms as quarterback.

The Irons offense struggled against the Stallions. The Stallions are a largely better team than the Legends. This game may not be a bloodbath, but we expect Atlanta to head into Week Four with an 0-3 record.

Pick: Iron -7.5, Over 38. We see this game 25-15

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AAF Week 4 Schedule

Game	Date	Time	Network
Orlando at Salt Lake	Saturday, March 2	4 p.m.	B/R Live
San Diego at Memphis	Saturday, March 2	8 p.m.	NFL Network
San Antonio at Birmingham	Sunday, March 3	4 p.m.	CBS Sports Network
Atlanta at Arizona	Sunday, March 3	8 p.m.	NFL Network

AAF Week 3 - Memphis Express vs Orlando Apollos

High Powers Apollos Face Stiff Express Defense

The Memphis Express travel to play the Orlando Apollos in week 3 AAF action. They are seeking their first win of the inaugural Alliance of American Football. The undefeated Orlando Apollos are standing dead in the way. Orlando is the highest-scoring team in the AAF. They are averaging 38.5 points per game, and is second best in yardage gained.

Date: Saturday, Feb. 23 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Spectrum Stadium -- Orlando, Florida
TV: NFL Network | Live stream:fuboTV (Try for free)

Line:Apollos -15;O/U: 44.5.

Memphis is not chopped liver. The Express pass rush and running game stand out, and up to the best in the league. The Express are tied for second in the AAF in sacks as a team with four. Express running back Zac Stacy is the league's leading rusher with 159 yards. They’re coming off a tough Week-2 loss to the Arizona Hotshots. They ran out of gas in the fourth quarter after leading for most of the game. It was by far the most exciting game in the AAF so far this young season.

Both teams have household names leading them. The Express head coach, Mike Singletary, is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his career as a linebacker in the NFL. He played all 12 of his seasons with the Chicago Bears. Apollos head coach Steve Spurrier is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame twice over. He is in as both a player and a head coach. Spurrier won the 1966 Heisman Trophy as a quarterback at the University of Florida. He became a coach following 10 seasons in the NFL. He won the 1996 National Championship as Florida’s head coach. He is the winningest head football coach in history at two Southeastern Conference schools. Those schools are Florida and South Carolina.

When the Express have the ball

The Express leaned on Stacy throughout most of the game against the Hotshots last week. Stacy finished the game with 19 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown. He became the first player in the history of the AAF to surpass 100 yards rushing in a game. He scored the first touchdown in the history of the Express.

If the Express want to keep drives alive, it will be Stacy moving the chains. Quarterback Christian Hackenberg’s stat line wasn’t the prettiest last weekend. He was 14 of 25 for only 102 yards. The Penn State alum displayed a grittiness against the Hotshots. He used his legs to extend drives and convert long downs. The Apollos’ defense gave up some big runs to quarterbacks in their come-from-behind win at San Antonio last week. They will be looking to limit big runs by Hackenberg. Hackenberg needs to be better in the passing game for the Express to come out with an upset.

When the Apollos have the ball

The Apollos’ offensive line struggled at times to protect quarterback Garrett Gilbert last week against the San Antonio Commanders. Gilbert was sacked four times and hurried six more. One of those sacks led to a fumble and a defensive touchdown for the Commanders. The line played a lot better in the second half of the game. They gave Gilbert enough time to complete some deep passes to his receivers. The protection allowed the Apollos back in the game, and eventually get the win. Charles Johnson had 192 yards receiving and scored a touchdown.

Memphis has an excellent pass rush and is very physical up front. The O-line will have to play more consistently to keep the Apollos at bay. Orlando also struggled to establish the run through the first three quarters of its Week 2 matchup. Being able to run effectively and keep Memphis’ defense honest, and on the field, will also be key for the Apollos to stay undefeated. That won’t be easy against a front seven that includes Express linebacker DeMarquis Gates. He leads the AAF in solo tackles with 16.

Express DB Channing Stribling has been a lock-down force in the secondary. He excelled Saturday against the Hotshots with six tackles, three pass breakups and an interception. The Michigan product leads the Express secondary with four pass breakups and one pick on the season. His most impressive stat is that opposing quarterbacks have a 52.1 passer rating when targeting Stribling (according to Pro Football Focus). He’ll have his hands full trying to cover Apollos wide receivers Johnson and Jalin Marshall.

Apollos RB D’Ernest Johnson has to get the ball a lot. The Apollos didn’t get their running game going in Week 2 until the fourth quarter. That is when Johnson got the ball more often. He’s averaging more than 7 yards per carry this season. He has proven to be a physical runner who can make his own holes when needed. Johnson also has good speed and the hands to catch the ball out of the backfield. He has the best skill set of all the Apollos’ running backs. Spurrier said earlier this week that Johnson's play in Week 2 may have earned him more carries.

This, That, and a Dart Throw

A total of 96 of Stacy’s 101 rushing yards against Arizona came after first contact. Gilbert leads the AAF in passing yards with 620. The Apollos’ defense is tied for the AAF lead in interceptions with four. The Express defense leads The Alliance with 12 tackles for a loss. Home teams are 6-2 in the AAF through the first two weeks of the season.

Pick: Apollos -15.5, Over 44.5

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AAF Week 4 Schedule

Game	Date	Time	Network
Orlando at Salt Lake	Saturday, March 2	4 p.m.	B/R Live
San Diego at Memphis	Saturday, March 2	8 p.m.	NFL Network
San Antonio at Birmingham	Sunday, March 3	4 p.m.	CBS Sports Network
Atlanta at Arizona	Sunday, March 3	8 p.m.	NFL Network

AAF Week 3 - Arizona Hotshots at Salt Lake Stallions

Stallions Ready for First Home Game

The Salt Lake Stallions will be playing in front of their home fans for the first time in history. They are hosting the Arizona Hotshots at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The hometown fans should see a pretty good game.

Date: Saturday, Feb. 23 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Rice-Eccles Stadium -- Salt Lake City, Utah
Live stream: B/R Live (Subscription or Per Game Service)
Line: Hotshots -4.5; O/U: 44.

Through the first two weeks the Hotshots are unbeaten. They have proven themselves to be a second-half team so far. The Stallions played the Hotshots in Sun Devil Stadium in Week 1. Arizona outscored Salt Lake 19-6 after halftime to win by 16. At Memphis last weekend, the Hotshots overcame a 12-0 deficit to win 20-18. They seem to make plays when they are needed

This week may be a different story. Arizona will have a challenge playing in 30-degree weather and more than 4,632 feet above sea level. It could make for some tired players near the end of the game.

When the Stallions have the Ball

The Stallions will once again not announce their starting quarterback until game time. Josh Woodrum has been practicing this week, but Matt Linehan and Austin Allen have been receiving an even amount of reps. For us sports bettors it makes it a little more hard to figure out things.

The Hotshots won the first meeting by 16 points. It is misleading, as they scored only one more touchdown than the Stallions. Running back Matt Asiata, wide receiver Jordan Leslie and tight end Nick Truesdell each found the end zone in Week 1. They will look to do so again against the Hotshots solid D. They are led by defensive back Robert Nelson, defensive tackle Will Sutton and linebacker Steven Johnson.

Speaking of Johnson, he has been one of Arizona's best defensive players so far. He had an interception and seven tackles against the Stallions in Week 1. He then turned around and had nine tackles with a forced fumble in Week 2 against the Express.

When the Hotshots have the Ball

Arizona's run-pass option (RPO) offense has struggled to get going early in the first two games. It is like they have to see how the flow of the game is. When they do get going and the Hotshots are clicking they are hard to stop. Quarterback John Wolford spreads the ball around really well. His favorite target has been Rashad Ross, who has 170 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The running game is pretty devastating as well. Tim Cook and Justin Stockton have found the end zone while Jhurell Pressley leads the crew with 121 yards on the ground.

It’s no secret that the Stallions defensive line is locked in. Head coach Dennis Erickson has been confident in the unit since preseason. The defense as a whole came together in Week 2 against the Iron. They held Birmingham to more than 100 fewer yards than it had in Week 1.

When the Memphis Express put pressure on Wolford in Week 2, he made mistakes and threw two interceptions. The key for the Stallions pass rush is to put consistent pressure on Wolford throughout the game. If they can.

Stallions Players to Watch

DE Karter Schult: In the Week-2 matchup against Birmingham, Schult forced a fumble, deflected a pass, picked up two sacks and recorded six tackles. He consistently put pressure on Iron quarterback Luis Perez. It was key as Perez threw for only 184 yards after going for 252 in Week 1.

RB Joel Bouagnon: The Stallions back scored the team's only touchdown in Week 2 against the Iron. He led all rushers in the game with 70 yards.

CB Will Davis: This former Utah State and NFL corner has disrupted passes and taken down ball carriers in the first two weeks. He has made 12 tackles and defending four passes.

Hotshots Player to Watch

LB Steven Johnson: The veteran inside linebacker has 16 total tackles (13 solo) to lead Arizona. He also has an interception, forced fumble and four tackles for loss.

By the Numbers: Schult is tied for the lead in The Alliance with three sacks. He is second with 11 quarterback pressures. Hotshots WR Richard Mullaney is second on the team with seven receptions. He is expected to miss this weekend's game. Look for WRs Freddie Martino and Marquis Bundy to get more looks. aDon't be surprised if the tight ends are more involved. Arizona is No. 1 in The Alliance in total yards per game, at 400, rushing yards per game at 179, red-zone efficiency with touchdowns on 80 percent of possessions, and two-point conversions coming in at 71%.

Pick: Hotshots -4.5, Under 44 (opened at 46).

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AAF Week 4 Schedule

Game	Date	Time	Network
Orlando at Salt Lake	Saturday, March 2	4 p.m.	B/R Live
San Diego at Memphis	Saturday, March 2	8 p.m.	NFL Network
San Antonio at Birmingham	Sunday, March 3	4 p.m.	CBS Sports Network
Atlanta at Arizona	Sunday, March 3	8 p.m.	NFL Network

DeRozan, Spurs Visit Raptors

DeRozan Should be Welcomed by Fans of Raptors

DeMar DeRozan will make his first return to Scotiabank Arena this Friday when the San Antonio Spurs (33-26 SU, 31-27-1 ATS) visit his former employers, the Toronto Raptors (43-16 SU, 26-33 ATS).

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN, TSN 1/3/4 (Toronto) LINE: Raptors -7.5; O/U: 227.

When the same two teams met in San Antonio on January 3, DeRozan dropped a triple-double on the Raptors. He had 21 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists in a 125-107 victory for the Spurs (–3.5). He’ll almost certainly get a warmer reception from the Toronto fans than Kawhi Leonard got in his return to the AT&T Center. After demanding a trade during the offseason, Leonard was shipped north with Danny Green for DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a first-round pick.

Toronto’s lineup will look much different than it did in San Antonio. Kyle Lowry didn’t play that day. Delon Wright and C.J. Miles went to the Memphis Grizzlies in the Marc Gasol trade. Greg Monroe was sent to the Brooklyn Nets for cash. Finally, Lorenzo Brown was put on waivers. Patrick McCaw has since joined the club; the Raptors have also signed Jeremy Lin for the rest of the year, while Fred VanVleet is out with an injured thumb.

DeRozan was a four-time All-Star for the Raptors. He holds the franchise records for games played (675), minutes (22,986) and points (13,296). He is expected to be greeted warmly by the Toronto crowd. The Raptors have done just fine without DeRozan. They sit in second place in the Eastern Conference coming out of the All-Star break. They went into the break hot as fire, with wins in six straight. DeRozan's Spurs are in a more precarious position and went into the break in seventh place in the West. They have dropped four of the first five on their eight-game Rodeo Road Trip.

This, That, and a Dart Throw

San Antonio struggled through the Western Conference portion of the trip prior to the break. They fell at Sacramento, Golden State, Portland and Utah before recovering with a 108-107 victory at Memphis on Feb. 12. DeRozan, who missed out on the All-Star game in his first season with the Spurs, is averaging 23.5 points on the trip. All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge went into the break strong with three straight double-doubles. San Antonio finishes out the trip with a back-to-back at New York and Brooklyn on Sunday and Monday. They then get to play eight of their next 10 at home.

Leonard did make the All-Star Game in his first season with Toronto. He started for the winning Team LeBron. He scored 19 points in as many minutes. The Raptors made a splash ahead of the deadline by bringing former All-Star center Marc Gasol over from the Grizzlies. They are undefeated in three games with him in the lineup. Gasol, 34, is still ironing out his place in the rotation. He came off the bench in each of his first three games, averaging 10 points in 20 minutes.

PREDICTION: Raptors 118, Spurs 110

NBA Betting Odds & Trends

San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
San Antonio is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Antonio's last 5 games
San Antonio is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
San Antonio is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Antonio's last 5 games on the road
San Antonio is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
San Antonio is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 10 of San Antonio's last 15 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Antonio's last 8 games when playing on the road against Toronto

Toronto Raptors
Toronto is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games
Toronto is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games at home
Toronto is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing San Antonio
Toronto is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Toronto's last 15 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Toronto's last 8 games when playing at home against San Antonio

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Could Soccer Ever Be Our New National Sport?

Soccer Gaines in Popularity in the US

The idea that soccer becoming the national sport of the USA
is preposterous to some, but with the dismal Super Bowl performance, (and we’re
not just talking about Maroon 5), could it be time for a new national
sport? 

Soccer has long been a British expat among the NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball. As a nation we consider basketball, baseball, and football before we even begin to think about soccer. However, with news that former pro soccer player David Beckham is purportedly moving ahead with plans for a brand new soccer team and stadium in Miami, as well as the dispatch of several home players to big soccer nations such as England and Germany, Major League Soccer could be in for international elevation. 

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Official: @marcofabian_10 joins @philaunion from @eintrachtfrankfurt. ✍️

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In 2013, Don Garber, Head of MLS, announced that Beckham
had joined with an eclectic mix of business associates to build a new Major
League team in the wake of the closure of Miami Fusion. It is now known that
the owners of the new Inter Miami team include co-founder of Brightstar
Marcello Claure and former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller, who managed Beckham’s
wife Victoria during her Posh Spice days. 

Inter Miami will have a new stadium, which has been given the green light after residents near the international airport voted in favour of converting a nearby golf course into the soccer team’s home ground, Miami Freedom Park. The team is due to join other MLS teams for the 2020 season, and is set to shake up current standings. 

 

 

 

 

 

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This is Miami Freedom Park. #thisismiami #thisismiamifreedompark #miami #mls

A post shared by Club Internacional De Fútbol (@intermiamicf) on Jul 8, 2018 at 3:29pm PDT

The February Super Bowl didn’t exactly hit the spot this
year. Not only was the half-time entertainment deemed lousy, it was one of the
lowest scoring Super Bowl games of all time, and fans claimed to be 'bored'.
It is true that football is a long game, which cannot match soccer in
simplicity. In a time when even our politics is simplified into tweets, it
could be time for our sport to be simplified too. 

Soccer has taken off in the USA, and alongside a bigger following in Britain’s Premier League, soccer video games have taken off too. FIFA has been hailed the perfect dorm game, and many have claimed that it is responsible for the USA’s recent soccer fascination. The trend shows no sign of letting up, with online gaming seeing soccer’s potential too. Fans can now play both Safari Soccer and Sensible Soccer on Party Casino, two very different games that allow users to enjoy the fun of soccer and potentially win some prizes. Right now, Real Money are offering bonuses to new users to try the two different games. 

 

 

 

 

 

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16 teams, 7 games, 3 potential champions, 1 💪 new #FIFA19 cover. ... Get ready for the return of the UEFA Champions League with new content in FIFA 19. With special Champions League kits and player items, as well as your choice of a Neymar Jr, Kevin De Bruyne, or Paulo Dybala 10 match loan item for your team, there's no better time to get started in FIFA 19! Hit the link in our bio to learn more.

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Soccer may not be our national sport, but it is certainly
gaining traction around the country. The speed and simplicity of the sport
makes it easy to watch and enjoyable to follow. The birth of a new team in
Miami, headed by an international sporting legend, can only be a good thing for
soccer, and it could be the start of the MLS having an international platform
from which the country could shine. 

Frodon and Jockey Bryony Frost Earn a Tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup

Frost is Ready to Make History

It’s no secret that the Cheltenham Festival is the crowning
glory of the National Hunt season. Offering four days of extraordinary on-track
action, it draws audiences from around the globe and provides an atmosphere of
absolute exhilaration, not just for those lucky enough to witness it in the
flesh, but for millions of television viewers across the world too.

The horses who attend are the jump racing elite: equine
athletes par excellence. With a power and beauty to rival any other creature or
creation on earth, the sight of these Thoroughbred megastars pounding down the
home stretch in full flight is enough to set our hearts aflutter, and there’s
one horse, in particular, we’re getting excited about – the inimitable Frodon.

Having already secured victory at Aintree last October, the
seven-year-old gelding by Nickname and his jockey Bryony Frost have now earned
their first tilt at the Gold Cup, following their fourth victory at Cheltenham
on Saturday.   

Frodon
wins his fourth Cheltenham victory 

Source: Facebook via Cheltenham
Racecourse

In a performance that was nothing short of magnificent,
Bryony Frost and her erstwhile partner Frodon used their performance in
Saturday’s Cotswold Chase to remind us all of exactly what makes this duo so
special. 

Competing on Festival Trials Day in the hopes of earning a
place in the Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup, the pair scored their fourth victory
at the racetrack.

Frodon delivered a noteworthy performance, repelling the
charge of talented Welsh Grand National victor Elegant Escape to seize the win
for himself. Cutting it slightly fine towards the end, he won by three-quarters
of a length – an admirable feat considering the calibre of his closest
rival. 

Trainer Paul Nicholls announced that the victory was enough
to earn the pair a tilt at the Gold Cup in six weeks’ time, with sites
like Oddschecker, which offer handy comparisons between various bookmakers,
showing his odds have been cut to as little as 14-1 in some
instances.  

Bringing
female jockeys into the spotlight 

Whilst Frodon is undeniably a force of nature, much of the
credit for his incredible run of performances must go to his jockey,
Bryony Frost. Although Frost has always gone to pains to credit the horse with
their combined successes, there are many who say that this is simply a symptom
of her humble and self-effacing personality. 

Indeed, Frost is a real talent in her own right, one who is
doing much to propel female jockeys out of the Gold Cup cold and into the
warmth of a string of high-profile wins. 

This is a phenomenon that is long overdue, for though it
has been 35 years since Jenny Pitman entered the history books as the first
female to train a Gold Cup winner - the brilliant Burrough Hill Lad – jockeys
from the fairer sex have rarely taken part.    

In fact, unlike the Grand National, which has had many
women aboard its mounts, the Gold Cup has had only two female competitors in
the entirety of its long history: Welsh
housewife Linda Sheedy on outsider Foxbury in 1984, and Lizzie Kelly
on Tea for Two in 2017.         

A shot
at history 

Source: Facebook via Bryony
Frost Fans

What’s different about Frost and Frodon is that the two are
in with a legitimate shot of making history: not as the third jockey and horse
partnership to run in the Gold Cup, but potentially, as winners. 

Saturday’s Betbright Trial Costwold Chase is arguably a
dress rehearsal for National Hunt’s blue riband - the Gold Cup itself – and
with victory in one already in their possession, it seems eminently possible
that Frost could well become the first female to cross the line at the head of
the field.   

Indeed, seven-year-old Frodon made Saturday’s triumph look
like a walk in the park, jumping for fun and pinging the last fence five
lengths clear. Despite admirable opposition from Elegant Escape, he nonetheless
finished with three-quarters of a length to spare, and lots more left in the
bag. 

As
trainer Paul Nicholls explains: “[Frodon]…
loves the track. He was idling and tiring from the back of the last but it’s
difficult when you’re bringing them back after a bit of a break. He didn’t do
much for a month after his last run but he’s proved he
stays.”    

He added: “He’s such a genuine horse. He and Bryony get on
really well and he loves life. The pair of them are both good for
racing.” 

A
winning partnership

Nicholls is not the only one to have commented on the
fantastic rapport between the gelding and his jockey. Frost herself has
described Frodon as “a complete pleasure to ride”, “brave”, and
“awesome”.  

The 23-year-old says: “I’ve never ridden a horse with a
heart like that. He was getting a bit lonely in front but when he felt company
he kicked on.”  

In tune with her mount, as she is, it’s also heartening to
hear the talented rider say that the bay gelding loves both the course and
racing – two assuredly vital elements in any would-be Gold Cup
winner.  

A second
shining star 

Frodon was not the only runner to impress on trials day.
Paisley Park has also sparked much conversation after sauntering to a
phenomenal 13-length win in the Cleeve Hurdle – marking him out as a sure
prospect for the Festival itself. 

The Emma Lavelle seven-year-old has improved rapidly this season, having been so far unbeaten in four starts. This last performance was so astonishing that it allowed him to leapfrog the reigning champion, Penhill, to become the new favorite in the Stayers Hurdle, with odds of 4-1.  

Lavelle herself claims to have waited 21 years for a horse
with so much natural talent and given his seemingly effortless performances so
far, it’s no wonder she’s getting excited about him.  

With the likes of both Frodon and Paisley Park promising to
do great things, the Cheltenham Festival is shaping up to be as exciting as
ever. We wait with bated breath to see whether history will be made, but know
that even if it isn’t this time around, the action will still be as
phenomenally thrilling as ever.

Duke Hosts North Carolina in ACC Action

Duke and North Carolina Get Ready to Travel Tobacco Road

The fans at Cameron Indoor Stadium will the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils Wednesday night. This is the biggest rivalry in college basketball and it renews itself tonight. North Carolina leads the series 96-83. The teams split the regular-season games last year, with the home team winning each time. The Tar Heels won the rubber match in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN LINE: Duke -10; O/U: 165.

Super-Frosh R.J. Barrett recorded the first triple-double by a Duke player in 13 years Saturday. He ended with 23 points, 11 rebounds and a season-best 10 assists in the Blue Devils' 94-78 victory over North Carolina State. North Carolina bounced back from its home loss to No. 3 Virginia two games ago. They came up with the most lopsided conference road win in program history in smacking Wake Forest 95-57 on Saturday.

This, That, and a Dart Throw

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 20-5 overall and 10-2 in the ACC. Leading scorer Cameron Johnson pours in 16.3 points per game. He had 27 points on 10-of-13 shooting, including 7-of-10 from long range. He also chipped in with three rebounds, three assists and three steals Saturday. Luke Maye and Coby White each added 10 points as 13 Tar Heels recorded points in the blowout. North Carolina shot 62.3 percent from the floor. They were an amazing 74.1% in the first half. They also show 64% from the 3-point line. That is a program record for any road game in which they attempted 20 or more 3s.

The Duke Blue Devils are 23-2 overall and 11-1 in the ACC. Barrett continues to lead the ACC in scoring at 22.7 points per game. Zion Williamson's 32-point outburst against N.C. State has him closing in on Barrett. He is now averaging 22.4 points. Tre Jones added 13 points. The Blue Devils were able to score 94 despite shooting only 3-of-16 from the 3-point line. Duke dominated on the glass against the Wolfpack, winning the rebounding battle 44-26. The Blue Devils sit second in the conference at 42.2 rebounds per game, just behind North Carolina's 42.5

PREDICTION: Duke 88, North Carolina 81

ACC Basketball Betting Odds & Trends

North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
North Carolina is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of North Carolina's last 15 games
North Carolina is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
North Carolina is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of North Carolina's last 6 games on the road
North Carolina is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Duke
North Carolina is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games when playing Duke
North Carolina is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Duke
North Carolina is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Duke

Duke Blue Devils
Duke is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Duke is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Duke's last 8 games
Duke is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Duke is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Duke's last 16 games at home
Duke is 14-7 SU in its last 21 games when playing North Carolina
Duke is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games when playing at home against North Carolina
Duke is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against North Carolina

Next up:
North Carolina home to Florida State Saturday, February 23
Duke at Syracuse Saturday, February 23

Get Free 1/2 point on two teams plus 150% Cash on first two deposits at GTBets

Run for the Glory: Top 5 Fastest Belmont Stakes Finishers in History

The Fastest Runners at the "Test of the Champion"

As the third and
final jewel of the Triple Crown races, winning the Belmont Stakes is sure to
give the winner the well-deserved accolade and prestige. But racing down all
the way to the finish line faster than anyone else in the history of the event
is another level and undoubtedly one for the books.

The Belmont Stakes
has the reputation of being the most challenging race among the Triple Crown
events. Horses run the distance of 1 ½-mile - the longest in American
thoroughbred racing - to the finish line.

Also known as the
“Test of the Champion,” the finale of the Triple Crown series is a display of
endurance, stamina, and speed. It’s essential that a horse maintains its speed
throughout the duration of the competition. If you want to know the victors which
finish the fastest in the history of Belmont Stakes, read on below.

Point Given (2001)

To get the
much-coveted Triple Crown, a competitor needs to finish at the first place of
the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes races. Thus, jockey
Gary Stevens, wasn’t in complete satisfaction when he won the Belmont Stakes
event in 2001.

Although his horse,
Point Given, got the top spots in Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, Point
Given only finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby because of a foot infection.
But at the finale of the Triple Crown series, Point Given made one of the
fastest records in Belmont Stakes.

The victor came out
of the gate with no hassle and raced down into third place in the early stages
of the event. His rivals gassed out later, and Point Given charged ahead of
them.

At the final stretch,
the other horses slowed down, making it clear to the audience watching as the
event unfolds that Point Given was the winner. Point Given completed the race
with an official time of 2:26.56.

Risen Star (1988)

Risen Star is sired
by Secretariat, the fastest horse in the history of Belmont Stakes. Risen Star
placed third in the Kentucky Derby and grabbed the first spot in the Preakness
Stakes.

Risen Star was not
the top favorite to win the Belmont Stakes due to the uncertainty of his
handling. Before the event, he got a minor ankle injury, which led him to miss
two days of training and a key workout.

However, the colt
gave a historical performance in Belmont Stakes. He won by 14 ¾ lengths over
Kingpost and put on record the fourth fastest time in the third leg of the
Triple Crown series.

A.P. Indy (1992)

Excellence is running
through the blood of the 1992 Belmont Stakes winner A.P. Indy.

His shire, Seattle
Slew, was the victor of the Belmont Stakes in 1977. Then A.P. Indy went on to
sire the first filly to win the Belmont Stakes in over a century, Rags to
Riches. In other words, A.P. Indy is part of the three-generation family of
Belmont Stakes winners.

After getting the
victory in the 1992 Belmont Stakes with an official time of 2:26.13, the colt
next took the top spot in the Breeder’s Cup within the same year, which helped
him to gain the prestige of being awarded the 1992 American Horse of the Year.

Easy Goer (1989)

In 1989, the audience
at Belmont Park witnessed one of the greatest upsets in the sport of horse
racing. Sunday Silence, who was one jewel away to complete the Triple Crown,
was defeated by Easy Goer.

Easy Goer only
finished second to Sunday Silence in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness
Stakes. However, in the finale of the Triple Crown series, Easy Goer gave his
best performance and became the party pooper to Sunday Silence’s Triple Crown
dreams.

In the early stages
of the race, Sunday Silence took the lead over his competitors but was later
outrun by Easy Goer. All the way to the finish line, Easy Goer was relentless,
beating Sunday Silence by eight lengths and made the record as the second
fastest winners of the Belmont Stakes with an official time of 2:26.00.

Secretariat (1973)

Secretariat was the
fastest racehorse to ever complete the 1 ½-mile distance of the Belmont Stakes
race. And it seems that his record is the hardest thing to break.

The phenomenal colt
ended the 25-year Triple Crown drought in 1973, setting speed records in all
three events. But the most awe-inspiring performance of Secretariat was in
Belmont Stakes. He won by 31 lengths ahead of Twice a Prince with an official
time of 2:24.00.

Takeaway

Many record-setting performances already happened in the Belmont Stakes. This coming June 8, will the fastest speed records mentioned above be broken? If you want to witness this electrifying event in the sport of horse racing, you can watch it live at the Belmont Park in Elmont, New York this year, or you can see it online at Watch TVG.

Baffert’s win again for Kentucky?

Bob Baffert is Ready for 145th Kentucky Derby

We are three months away from the
exciting Kentucky Derby to happen on the May 4th at the dirt tracks of
Churchill Downs, Louisville.

Now on its 145th annual running, this
Grade 1 stake race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds with a sprint distance of 1 and
a quarter mile, will surely be one to look forward to after Justify’s win for
the Triple Crown last year.

The Kentucky Derby,
or what other calls as ‘The Run for the Roses” 
or “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports” is ranked as one of the most
important thoroughbred races in the world and the first to form the Triple
Crown Series. This race has been the longest running since 1875 even continuing
through two World Wars and the Great Depression which makes it a valuable jewel
in the racing world.

Justify, who recently was honored as
the Horse of the Year at the 2018 Eclipse Award last month is under the
training barn of Bob Baffert, the same person who trained 2015 Triple Crown
winner American Pharoah. Justify was recognized for his Triple Crown-winning
season as the 3-year old champion male who is the first in the horse racing
sport’s history to win the series without racing as a 2-year-old.

Thus, confirms that Baffert’s deep and
talented barn will surely take part again for this year’s Kentucky. Being a
senior trainer won’t stop Baffert knowing he has won the Derby for 5 times and
now has four of the nominated horses in the Pool for Kentucky Derby.

On the list is Game Winner, Improbable,
Mucho Gusto and Coliseum who surely have shown everyone how feisty they can get
on track.

Game Winner is definitely on the top of
the list with his recent victory in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile in November last
year on the same grounds. Horse racing fans and wagerers are stoked to see him
make a good first run this year next month at the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at
Santa Anita Park.

Unbeaten Improbable under Baffert’s
training club is also expected to run during the Derby. He is the son of City
Zip who is a swift colt that can run 5 furlongs at :58.40 at Santa Anita in his
recent run.

These are just 2 of the four that will
definitely show some muscle in the upcoming races and the Derby on May. It is
positive that Baffert would most likely win again this year and he is proud to
say that these great horses can work it for them.

There is more to this in the coming days which is why it is essential to stay tune in for TVG Kentucky Derby updates and information that can help you track the performances of these horses before the awaited two-week festival.

They got an updated
odds of the contenders in Kentucky Derby where they based on the performance
from both last season since they are 2-year olds and their track trials. They
use a Pari Mutual betting system during the race day where the odds is based on
the amount of cash topped on their heads by professional and leisure bettors
from all over the world. 

On the contrary, a
big amount of bet money is expected to be up for grabs to anyone who would be
lucky to win it as this Run for the Roses is of everyone’s interest in the
horse racing world. Pretty sure bet players would pray there would only be a
few of them to get their shares for the win which is rarely possible to happen.

Bet players can now
narrow down their winners’ list by looking into Baffert’s top horses on the
field and track down its winning odds before race day. These are just one of
the many information you can get through TVG Network.

TVG has never failed
its clients with their services provided since 1993 next to XpressBets and
BetAmerica as they give their new players a double in their deposited money
once they register in their website.

Having your TVG
online betting account will give you a strong undercard with ample
opportunities on the day to win some money from betting, a chance for you to
take part at the biggest race ever through betting which is the next best thing
you can be proud of yourself other than owning one of the runners in the any of
the races in store.

Register and bet
legally for your favorite horse running for the Triple Crown throne at TVG
today!

Red-Hot Blues Take on Maple Leafs

Blues go for 11th Straight Win Against Maple Leafs

The hottest team in the NHL is doing it with goaltending right now. Since replacing their starter, Jake Allen, with rookie Jordan Binnington on January 7, the St. Louis Blues have won 15 of 19 games. Just one month ago, the Blues were thought to be headed to the trade deadline as sellers. They have significant assets on their roster. With their incredible streak over the past month and a half, they’ve clawed their way into third place in the Western Conference’s Central Division. Tuesday’s contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs marks a significant test for the Blues. The red-hot Blues will be vying for a franchise-best 11th straight.

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TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, Sportsnet Ontario, TVAS: LINE: Blues -113; O/U: Under 6 -110.

The Leafs are one of the strongest offensive clubs in the NHL, scoring 3.55 goals per game. Their offensive style is sure to put the Blues’ defensive structure and hot goaltending to the test. They scored a total of 11 goals over two games against the Avalanche and Golden Knights, but may have underestimated a Coyotes team on Saturday, dropping the matchup 2-0. St. Louis will try to extend an incredible shutout streak on Tuesday, as the Blues haven’t let in a goal in over 187 minutes, which includes two shutouts by Binnington and one by Allen. Binnington has been the catalyst of the club since the New Year, so expect him to be in net against the Leafs.

This, That, and a Dart Throw

The Maple Leafs are 36-19-3 on the Season. Speedy third-line forward Andreas Johnsson participated in practice on Monday after sitting out versus the Coyotes. He sat out with an injury sustained following a knee-on-knee collision with Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb. Coach Mike Babcock told reporters that the team has yet to discuss the availability of the 24-year-old Swede for Tuesday's tilt, Johnsson labeled himself day-to-day. He and was pleased that the injury wasn't a serious one. Mitch Marner, who leads the team in assists with 48, and points with 69, set up defenseman Morgan Rielly's goal in the previous meeting with St. Louis and sits one point shy of 200 for his career.

The Blues are 32-21-5 on the season. Tarasenko earned NHL Second Star of the Week honors on Monday, one day after he collected a goal and two assists versus the Wild. That gave him 11 of each during his record point streak. The Russian pushed his point total to nine (six goals, three assists) in 10 career outings with Toronto. O'Reilly leads the team in assists with 38, and points with 60. He scored and set up a goal against Minnesota and did the same in the Blues' previous victory over the Maple Leafs.

PREDICTION: Maple Leafs 4, Blues 2

NH Betting Odds & Trends

Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Toronto is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games
Toronto is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Toronto's last 10 games on the road
Toronto is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing St. Louis
Toronto is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing St. Louis
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against St. Louis

St. Louis Blues
St. Louis is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
St. Louis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of St. Louis's last 8 games
St. Louis is 5-11 ATS in its last 16 games at home
St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games at home
St. Louis is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
St. Louis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto

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