Uncategorized – Page 58 – The view from left field

Horse racing people pleased with news that Queen’s Plate will run on Sept.12 — Toronto Sun

The Queen’s Plate will be served up on Saturday Sept.12. Read More
Horse racing people pleased with news that Queen’s Plate will run on Sept.12 — Toronto Sun

The Queen’s Plate will be served up on Saturday Sept.12.

North America’s oldest continuously run horse race was originally scheduled to take place on June 27 but was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, with the Ontario government last week announcing a framework to gradually reopen the province, Woodbine Entertainment set a plan in motion to start thoroughbred race — without spectators — on June 6 at Woodbine Racetrack in Etobicoke (and June 5 for harness racing at Woodbine Mohawk in Milton).

The Victoria Day announcement that the $1 million Queen’s Plate will be run this year comes as welcome news for action-starved horse players, not to mention those in the racing industry.

“The history of The Queen’s Plate is so rich and the fact that it’s been held every year since the inaugural race in 1860 is remarkable,” said Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson. “We are honoured to be able to continue this rich history in face of adversity by hosting the race for the 161st consecutive year.”

As part of the preparations for The Queen’s Plate, the Woodbine Oaks presented by Budweiser and The Plate Trial will be held on Saturday, August 15. WE’s full thoroughbred stakes schedule is expected to be announced on May 20.

The Woodbine backstretch has remained open for essential workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and last week jockeys were allowed back on site to breeze horses. Timed training and gate training has also started at the track.

All the activities at the backstretch are being conducted with strict safety protocols in place, such as the wearing of face masks, social distancing and having everyone’s temperature taken when they arrive at the track.

Preakness set for Oct. 3, fate of Belmont still undecided — nyob.news

Two-thirds of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown now have rescheduled race dates. It just remains to be seen when the New York Racing Association will attempt to conduct the 152nd running of the Belm.
Preakness set for Oct. 3, fate of Belmont still undecided — nyob.news

144th Running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 18, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. Credit: Getty Images/Rob Carr

Two-thirds of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown now have rescheduled race dates.

It just remains to be seen when the New York Racing Association will attempt to conduct the 152nd running of the Belmont Stakes, typically the final leg of the series. For now, it is still scheduled for June 6, though NYRA has postponed the start of the spring/summer meet at Belmont Park in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Saturday was supposed to be the 145th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Instead, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced on NBC that the race is now scheduled for Oct. 3.

The Kentucky Derby, typically Triple Crown’s first leg, had already been re-scheduled for Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky instead of the 146th running taking place on May 2 as originally planned.

Some clarity on the Belmont Stakes is expected soon.

On Friday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced horse racing could resume in New York state – without fans in the grandstands – on June 1.

NYRA president and CEO Dave O’Rourke released a statement on Friday applauding Gov. Cuomo’s decision and indicating, “NYRA will announce race dates and a corresponding stakes schedule for the 2020 spring/summer meet at Belmont Park in the very near future.”

“This is a reasoned and responsible decision by Governor Cuomo that will enable horse racing to resume in a way that prioritizes health and safety while recognizing that NYRA is the cornerstone of an industry responsible for 19,000 jobs and $3 billion in annual economic impact,” O’Rourke said. “We look forward to the resumption of live racing at Belmont Park with all appropriate health and safety protocols in place to support the hundreds of small businesses, family-owned farms and thousands of hourly workers who form the backbone of thoroughbred racing in New York.”Subscribe to Sports Now newsletter

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NYRA continued to conduct racing without fans at Aqueduct from March 13-15 before announcing on March 19 it was suspending its meet.

However, work has continued at Belmont Park, just without the live racing.

Around 1,400 horses are currently on the 440-acre property with about 800 backstretch workers maintaining the horses’ training regimens.

NYRA officials have sent a detailed proposal to Gov. Cuomo as to how racing can resume – quickly – without a live audience.

“NYRA has developed a comprehensive safety plan that builds on our experience of operating training safely and responsibly during the pandemic, and includes extensive protocols to keep our community safe,” O’Rourke said.

AHL cancels season for the first time in 83-year history — Edmonton Sun

The American Hockey League, which started just before the Second World War, playing through the conflict, had its continual run come to an end by COVID-19 on Monday with the cancellation of the rest of the season. Read More
AHL cancels season for the first time in 83-year history — Edmonton Sun

Poll suggests Canadian sports fans will be leery about attending pro events even when pandemic eases — Winnipeg Sun

If the Winnipeg Jets and Blue Bombers were to start up play in the fall and there were no restrictions on fans entering stadiums, would you attend? Read More
Poll suggests Canadian sports fans will be leery about attending pro events even when pandemic eases — Winnipeg Sun

On this Date, 1969: Oakland Oaks win ABA championship — Times-Standard

(This story was originally published on May 8, 1969) By Dave Newhouse, Oakland Tribune The Oakland Oaks are champions of the American Basketball Association, and talking of a dynasty. The Oaks polished off Indiana in the fifth game of their seven-game series, 135-131 in overtime, before 6,340 at the Oakland Arena to complete a magic…
On this Date, 1969: Oakland Oaks win ABA championship — Times-Standard

Red Sox Honor Nurses At Fenway Park For National Nurses Day With Awesome Gesture — NESN.com

Wednesday is National Nurses Day and the home of the Boston Red Sox made an awesome gesture to thank the nurses on the front lines. Of course, we’ll never be able to thank them enough for all of their hard work during the coronavirus outbreak. But Fenway Park found a nice way to use its…
Red Sox Honor Nurses At Fenway Park For National Nurses Day With Awesome Gesture — NESN.com

Wednesday is National Nurses Day and the home of the Boston Red Sox made an awesome gesture to thank the nurses on the front lines. Of course, we’ll never be able to thank them enough for all of their hard work during the coronavirus outbreak. But Fenway Park found a nice way to use its outfield while baseball is on hold to show some appreciation for the nurses. Check these out: This is great. While we wait for the return of sports, don’t forget about all the healthcare workers vigorously working to keep everyone safe and healthy during this time. More Red Sox:

Kings GM Rob Blake: ‘At the end of the day, there will be hockey’ — Daily News

Kings general manager Bob Blake was easily distracted Wednesday morning. Somebody asked him if he had a chance to gather with friends and neighbors to play beach volleyball during the NHL’s suspension of play because of the coronavirus pandemic. Suddenly, the talk of the recent re-signing of defenseman Kurtis MacDermid, the cross-country drive of forward…
Kings GM Rob Blake: ‘At the end of the day, there will be hockey’ — Daily News
Like everyone else in hockey, Blake has been quarantined at home during the pause in play. It’s been eight weeks since the Kings’ last game, a 3-2 victory March 11 over the Ottawa Senators that extended their winning streak to seven games and gave them a 29-35-6 record.
Play was halted the next day.
Like everyone else in hockey, Blake has been preparing for the resumption of play, whether it’s the Kings’ final 12 games of the 2019-20 season in the coming weeks or months or advancing directly to the 2020-21 season without the completion of the current campaign.

“At the end of the day, there will be hockey,” he said.

So, Blake said the Kings’ scouting department has gone about its business as if the draft will be held next month. There was no sense in delaying preparations since it’s going to be held at some point, whether it’s next month or next fall if the resumption of the 2019-20 season is delayed until summer.

Interviews with draft prospects are ongoing via video conference calls rather than in person.

The NHL is expected to announce in the next few days when the draft lottery and the draft will be held, and what formats they will take. The draft was originally scheduled for June 26-27 in Montreal’s Bell Centre, but it’s expected to be held via video conference calls.
“Everyone’s in the same boat,” Blake said of adjusting to the new normal.
Blake also said he recently held meetings with Todd McLellan and the Kings’ coaching staff to review their play to determine what worked and what didn’t. Soon, Blake will take what he learned from the coaches and mesh it with the statistics produced by the Kings’ analytics department.
Players’ interviews, traditionally the final act of any given season, haven’t taken place yet. Blake said he’s remained in contact with the players, including but not limited to the eight or so who have remained in Southern California to self-isolate during the break in the action.
Blake said center Jeff Carter would not be available to play “in the next couple of months” because of a core injury that has sidelined him since Feb. 18. Blake said Carter has been doing rehabilitation work at home and could see a specialist soon.
If play resumes, Blake said he expected rosters would expand by as many five to eight players, giving the Kings a chance to find meaning to as many as 12 otherwise meaningless games. The Kings were seventh in the Pacific Division when play was halted, 14 points out of a playoff spot.
“We will find positives from playing these games,” he said.

Magic Johnson says players don’t need fans in the stands to compete — Sixers Wire

The spread of the novel coronavirus has had the world on hold and the NBA has been in hiatus since March 11. However, there is a chance that there will be a resumption of the 2019-20 season with both Disney World in Orlando and The Strip in Las Vegas offering a sort of “bubble” for the league to resume the season.

The biggest aspect of this “bubble” is that there will be no fans at the games. For the Philadelphia 76ers, who have the best home record in the NBA, this could play a factor for them. However, NBA legend Magic Johnson has said that that does not matter for the players.

Johnson told The Los Angeles Times:

“When you’re going for something and you get past those first few minutes, you don’t know the difference because your competitive juices kick in,” Johnson said during a recent interview. “They’re going to play the game that they love and they’re going to play it 150% like they do with the fans in the stands.
“The only thing they won’t get is that juice when they make a good play or they go on a 12-0 run. There’s nobody there to take them to another level. The crowd takes you to another level. If you’re down, the Lakers fans are some of the best fans in the NBA when they start screaming and hollering. They’ll miss that, but if you think they’re not going to perform just because fans aren’t there, no.”

The NBA is desperate to crown a champion for 2020 and they will stretch out the season as long as they have to, but it will also continue under safe conditions.

Sixers history: 8 seed Sixers take 2-1 lead on top-seeded Bulls in 2012

1984 NBA re-draft: Bulls take Charles Barkley, Sixers select Kevin Willis

Jimmy Butler says he would ‘ghost’ Brett Brown on Instagram Live

Penny Hardaway Calls G League Recruitment ‘Almost Like Tampering’ — NESN.com

When potential 2021 NBA lottery pick Jalen Green decided not to continue his basketball career at the collegiate level, instead opting for the NBA G League’s new developmental program, a few more followed suit. And while this new team drastically could change college basketball forever, college coaches probably aren’t thrilled. Especially Penny Hardaway, head men’s…
Penny Hardaway Calls G League Recruitment ‘Almost Like Tampering’ — NESN.com

Watch: Secretariat wins the Kentucky Derby Triple Crown Showdown — Touchdown Wire

There was no surprise in the Kentucky Derby Triple Crown Showdown, which took the place of the actual Run for the Roses, postponed until (…)
Watch: Secretariat wins the Kentucky Derby Triple Crown Showdown — Touchdown Wire

There was no surprise in the Kentucky Derby Triple Crown Showdown, which took the place of the actual Run for the Roses, postponed until September because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The virtual race, shown on NBC-TV, saw all 13 Triple Crown winners in the starting gate at Churchill Downs.

The winner … none other than the great Secretariat. The winner of the 1973 Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont moved to the front in the shadows of the wire. Second, was another incomparable horse, Citation. Third, was 1977 champion Seattle Slew, who set the pace for much of the mile-and-a-quarter.

Check out the race:

Watch it again! The 13 Triple Crown winners face off in a virtual race under the Twin Spires of Churchill Downs.
Donate to COVID-19 relief at https://t.co/6W7xpgby5a. | #KyDerbyAtHome pic.twitter.com/QCDkrrPB5p
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 2, 2020

What was real was NBC using a clever camera to show American Pharoah watch his Kentucky Derby win from his stall.

American Pharoah watching himself win the Kentucky Derby is everything🙌🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/bRfsmpNQc0
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 2, 2020

And since it never gets old, a look at Secretariat’s immortal Belmont victory in 1973.

Not quite Wimbledon, but professional action resumes — Stabroek News

(Reuters) – It was a case of back to basics but live tennis returned yesterday with the opening matches at the Tennis Point Exhibition Series event staged near Koblenz in Germany. The article Not quite Wimbledon, but professional action resumes appeared first on Stabroek News.
Not quite Wimbledon, but professional action resumes — Stabroek News

(Reuters) – It was a case of back to basics but live tennis returned yesterday with the opening matches at the Tennis Point Exhibition Series event staged near Koblenz in Germany.

Eight players, including one-time Wimbledon conqueror of Rafa Nadal, Germany’s Dustin Brown, were in action at the Base Tennis centre, for the start of the four-day event.

World number 354 Benjamin Hassan does not enjoy the same profile as the unmistakeable dreadlocked Brown, but he can now lay claim to winning the first professional tennis match played since the sport was suspended in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Using a shortened scoring format on the indoor court, he beat Jean-Marc Werner 4-2 4-2 in a match that was streamed live by the Tennis Channel’s new Over-the-Top (OTT) platform — Tennis Channel International or via Tennis Channel’s website http://www.tennischanneleverywhere.com

It was not quite Wimbledon.

No spectators, line judges or ball boys are allowed and handshakes after match point are forbidden. Players are not allowed to have coaches on site, or even take a shower.

The winner’s cheque is less than 1,000 euros ($1,097) and catering is basic too, consisting of pre-wrapped sandwiches and energy bars.

Despite the strict controls, day one went smoothly, once the local police department had checked out the social-distancing measures being employed before giving it the green light.

“Everything was done to ensure the players’ safety and while it was a little different for them, especially the ones ranked higher, the players appreciated it,” Christian Klapthor, a spokesman for Playsight, one of the partners companies of the Series, told Reuters.

“The distancing measures were very controlled. After every match the benches where the players sit were wiped down with disinfectant and players arrived and left the court alone.”

He said the German tennis federation’s guidance on handling tennis balls said there was minimal risk in infection.

“Only if one player spat on a ball and the other put it in his mouth, which is pretty unlikely.”

Later, former world number 64 Brown beat Constantin Schmitz 4-2 4-2 to get his round-robin matches under way and returned to court later to beat Werner 4-3(5) 4-3(4).

The scoring system is the same as used at the ATP’s Next Gen Finals in Milan with best of three short sets to four, tiebreaks at 3-3 and ‘no advantage’ scoring.

With ‘in-play’ betting on the matches available through online bookmakers, the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU), which like the ATP Tour, has not sanctioned the event, stressed that players are still governed by anti-corruption rules.

“The TIU has, upon request, provided integrity-related information to some organisers,” the organisation said.

“This does not constitute advice and can in no way be seen as an endorsement or approval of any event that does not come under its jurisdiction.

“It is vital that as these new events begin to appear they regard integrity as a non-negotiable central priority to reduce any risk of match-fixing and betting-related corruption.” ($1 = 0.9112 euros)

Complaint Filed Against Cubs, MLB On Behalf Of Fan Injured At Wrigley Field — NESN.com

A complaint has been filed against Major League Baseball and the Chicago Cubs on behalf of a fan injured at Wrigley Field in 2018, according to ESPN. The fan, 28-year-old Laiah Zuniga, was struck in the face by a foul ball in the fifth inning of the Aug. 27 game while sitting in the sixth…
Complaint Filed Against Cubs, MLB On Behalf Of Fan Injured At Wrigley Field — NESN.com

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