Alaina Ruiz, LEE: senior, outside hitter - Ruiz had 48 kills. 36 digs and two aces in the Volunteers' five-set victories against Johnson and Roosevelt. LEE is now 2-0 in District 28-6A and tied with Reagan.
Reagan's Kennedy Crider had 36 kills with a .463 hitting percentage in sweeps against Brandeis and Churchill.
Clemens' McKenna Gobin had 20 kills (.541 hitting percentage) and seven digs in a sweep against Judson.
Incarnate Word's Lorena Gomez had 82 ***** ists in victories against Stockdale and New Braunfels Christian to push her past 3,000 for her career.
David Hinojosa

#ruiz #hitting #volunteers #roosevelt

A horse named Coach Pope, after Kentucky basketball head coach Mark Pope, picked up his first win in a Maiden Special Weight race at Churchill Downs during the first weekend of the track's September Meet.
The 2-year-old colt, who entered the race as a 1/1 favorite, pulled away to win by 1½ lengths. Coach Pope completed the one-mile race on a fast track in 1:35.77.
Ridden by Jose Ortiz — who won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes aboard Golden Tempo, as well as the Kentucky Oaks with Always a Runner — Coach Pope broke well and raced close before breaking away after the final turn, passing Fullback and Justification.
Congrats to KennyMcPeek & jose93_ortiz & Coach Pope sired by the legendary Tapit on a massive 12.5 length victory ChurchillDowns today!
AND CATS up by 4 at half! Let's Go! pic.twitter.com/lG7GxRomh9
The colt is trained by Kenny McPeek and owned by Gainsway Stable, Shamrock Stables and Michael J. Mackin.

#coach #race

Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Ready or not, here it comes: The official "Road to the Kentucky Derby" series starts Saturday with the $300,000 Grade III Iroquois Stakes at -- where else? -- Churchill Downs.
And -- who else? -- six-time Derby winner Bob Baffert trains the 8-5 favorite, Salahudin.
Salahudin, an Uncle Mo colt, won his first start by 2 lengths July 17 at Ellis Park going 6 1/2 furlongs. He stretched out to 7 furlongs in the Ellis Park Juvenile on Aug. 9 and won that by 4 1/2 lengths.
The 1-mile Iroquois Stakes has nine entries. Blessed Flyer also is 2-for-2 and won the Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs June 28 for trainer Mike Tomlinson. He Is No Lie finished second in the Bashford Manor, and then was fourth in the Grade III Best Pal at Del Mar. The others are maiden winners.
Also on the weekend agenda are five Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" races in North America and five more in Ireland.

#park

Brittany Boltinhouse lost her Miss North Carolina USA crown less than a month ago, but she already has another one.
According to People, Boltinhouse announced that she has been named Miss Global Honduras 2026, putting the 27-year-old back into international pageant competition just weeks after she was dethroned as Miss North Carolina USA. She is now headed to Thailand in October to compete for the Miss Global crown — while simultaneously suing Miss USA and North Carolina pageant officials over the fallout from her removal.
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Boltinhouse announced the comeback on Instagram with a Winston Churchill quote that left little ambiguity about her mindset: "Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never."
CNB Latin America confirmed that Boltinhouse will represent Honduras, saying the organization selected her to showcase "the love, passion, charisma, and rich culture of the Honduran people" internationally.

#global #honduras #shop #crown

Just weeks after losing her Miss North Carolina USA crown, Brittany Boltinhouse is heading back to the pageant stage.
The 27-year-old dethroned state ******* leholder was announced as Miss Global Honduras 2026 in the pageant's Aug. 31 Instagram post, and now she will represent Honduras at the Miss Global competition in Thailand this October. The announcement marks her first major public step since being stripped of the Miss North Carolina USA ******* le in early August, ending a reign that lasted little more than a month.
"Road to Thailand!" Boltinhouse wrote on Instagram, while unveiling her new sash. She paired the announcement with a Winston Churchill quote echoing "never give in," signaling resilience after weeks of public scrutiny and legal battles.
Her appointment comes as Boltinhouse continues to challenge the public fallout from her removal through a defamation lawsuit, alleging that the Miss USA Organization and A Blaize Productions, which holds the state license for the Miss North Carolina USA pageant, unfairly characterized her after she lost her ******* le.

#honduras

Brittany Boltinhouse, the former Miss North Carolina USA 2026 winner who had her ****** le stripped due to conduct that violated the organization's standards, has announced her return to the pageant world.
Boltinhouse, 27, revealed that she has been crowned Miss Global Honduras 2026 and will compete in the Miss Global pageant in Thailand in October.
"Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense," she shared via Instagram on Monday, August 31. "Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy. — Winston Churchill."
The news comes just four weeks after the Chairman and President of Miss USA, Thom Brodeur, announced the end of Boltinhouse's reign.
"I want to speak to the issue plainly, because our ****** leholders, our state directors, fans and every young woman watching deserves to hear where I stand," he shared via Instagram on August 5. "The Miss USA organization does not tolerate racism, ****** phobia, transphobia nor language that strips any person of their dignity — whoever they are. That is not a policy written for a press release, it is the floor of what it means to represent the brand."

#miss #Instagram

NFL free agent Miles Sanders is facing a DUI charge after a June arrest near Pittsburgh in which police say they found the former Pro Bowl running back slumped over behind the wheel of a vehicle stopped in the middle of a highway.
Sanders, 29, was arrested June 8 in Churchill Borough and is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance and careless driving. TMZ reported the case on Aug. 27 after court records detailing the arrest became public.
The arrest occurred close to where Sanders grew up and played at Woodland Hills High School before attending Penn State. He is currently unsigned after spending the 2025 season with the Dallas Cowboys, where knee and ankle injuries ended his year after four games.
Sanders' attorney has declined to discuss the allegations in detail. The DUI case remains pending, and Sanders has not been convicted of the charge.
An officer found Sanders in the driver's seat of a silver Lexus that was motionless in the middle of William Penn Highway near Beulah Drive, according to the criminal complaint obtained by CBS Pittsburgh. Police said several attempts were made to wake him. The complaint describes Sanders as "in and out of consciousness," "extremely lethargic" and unable or unwilling to answer questions as officers tried to make contact with him.

#pittsburgh #highway

The London Company, an investment management company, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter for its "Small-Mid Cap Strategy." The letter can be downloaded here. U.S. equities rebounded sharply in Q2, with the Russell 3000 gaining 15.4%, supported by AI infrastructure spending, strong earnings, and easing Middle East tensions. Technology led the rally as semiconductors recovered, while Energy and defensive sectors lagged. The portfolio returned 12.1% gross and 11.8% net compared with a 20.3% gain in the Russell 2500 Index. Stock selection weighed on relative performance, as high-beta and high-volatility stocks dominated returns while Quality remained weak, although results improved in June as market participation broadened. Looking ahead, resilient earnings and AI productivity support a constructive outlook, but negative hyperscaler cash flow, sticky inflation, geopolitical risks, index concentration, and elevated valuations warrant caution. The strategy continues to emphasize quality, downside protection, and active management. Additionally, reviewing the Fund's top five holdings could also highlight its best ideas for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, London Company SMID Cap Strategy highlighted Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ:CHDN). Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ:CHDN) operates live and historical racing entertainment venues, online wagering businesses, and regional casino gaming properties in the United States. On August 26, 2026, Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ:CHDN) closed at $87.57 per share. Over the past month, Credit Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:CACC) returned 4.40%, while its shares have declined 16.08% in the last 52 weeks. Credit Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:CACC) has a market capitalization of $6.10 billion.
London Company SMID Cap Strategy stated the following regarding Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ:CHDN) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ:CHDN) declined despite solid operating results as Derby Week growth fell slightly short of elevated investor expectations. The business continues to execute well, supported by strong Historical Racing Machine growth, improving leverage, and healthy cash flow generation. We believe the recent weakness is disconnected from the underlying fundamentals and remain confident in the company's ability to compound earnings through disciplined capital allocation, pricing power, and continued investment in its differentiated gaming and racing **** ets."

#strategy

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is among the three newest advisors to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, officials announced Aug. 14.
As a member of HISA's Horsemen's Advisory Group, Baffert is expected provide feedback on the Racetrack Safety, and Anti-Doping and Medication Control programs, which cover rules and regulations in horse racing. The others named to the 18-member advisory group Aug. 14 are trainers Jena Antonucci and Tim Keefe.
"We are also pleased to welcome our new members to the Advisory Group and look forward to the perspectives they will bring as we continue working collaboratively with stakeholders to enhance the sport for horses and participants alike," HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus said in a statement.
Baffert, Antonucci and Keefe succeed outgoing advisory group members Kelsey Danner, Gavin Murphy and Jonathan Sadler.
Baffert, 73, has trained six Kentucky Derby and two Triple Crown winners in a more than 40-year career. In 2021, Baffert received a two-year suspension from Churchill Downs after Medina Spirit, who had finished first in that year's Kentucky Derby, was found to have failed a postrace drug test. The suspension was later extended one year amid a lawsuit from Baffert, who had claimed Churchill was targeting him and trying to destroy his career.

#group #antonucci #churchill

Who knew there would be so much drama in horse racing months after this year's Triple Crown was etched in the history books?
But quite like how we're all talking about Boston College men's basketball in August for some reason, we've also spent much of this week following along to a series of major developments regarding the Triple Crown and the future of high-level horse racing.
It all started on Monday, when the New York Racing **** ociation (NYRA) and Churchill Downs Incorporated announced a new season-long horse racing series that will pit the best three-year-old Thoroughbreds against each other in a six-race circuit with a champion crowned at Churchill Downs in September. But curiously, when the series was announced, it included the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, but not the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown, the Preakness.
A couple days later, Maryland Governor Wes Moore held a press conference to announce that the Preakness Stakes, which historically was run two weeks following the Kentucky Derby, would now be held three weeks and a day after the Derby. The shift was made with the hope that more Derby horses, including the Derby winner, would participate in the Preakness. In recent years, the vast majority of Derby horses have skipped the Preakness due to the quick turnaround time, instead eyeing the Belmont five weeks later.
At the press conference, Moore also announced that the Preakness would remain on NBC Sports through 2032. Various reports indicate that Fox, which owns rights for the Belmont and various other high-profile horse racing properties, had been an interested bidder in the Preakness, but NBC ultimately won out.

#crown #belmont #weeks

Jon Miller, president of acquisitions and partnerships at NBC Sports, and Gov. Wes Moore (D) announce a new six-year network television deal to broadcast the Preakness and other thoroughbred horse racing in Maryland. (Photo Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)
Changes lie ahead for Maryland's signature thoroughbred horse race, including a new, later race day and a new, expanded network television contract.
Gov. Wes Moore (D) announced the changes Wednesday to the Preakness Stakes, historically the second event in racing's Triple Crown. It was the latest in a week of rapid-fire developments that saw the state buy rights to the Preakness away from Kentucky Derby owner Churchill Downs, which responded by announcing a new national thoroughbred racing series that excludes the Preakness.
Wednesday's changes mean that a race always run on the third Saturday of May — two weeks after the Kentucky Derby — will happen a week later. And on a Sunday. As part of expanded television coverage for a planned Memorial Day weekend of racing, with the state-owned Black-Eyed Susan Stakes being run on Saturday.
Moore said the new television deal and race day changes are meant to ensure the growth of the taxpayer-owned Preakness, the thoroughbred racing industry in the state and the neighboring Park Heights Community.

#moore #maryland #stakes

(Original Caption) Louisville, KY: The twin spires atop the stands at Churchill Downs Race Track remind all of the magic of Thoroughbred racing.
In an effort to help elevate Thoroughbred racing among the everyday sports fan, Churchill Downs and the New York Racing ****** ociation will launch a three-year-old championship series consisting of six races beginning in 2027. Starting on the first Saturday in May with the Kentucky Derby and culminating in September with a return to Churchill Downs, the idea is to promote a familiarity with fans as the top three-year-old horses are encouraged to compete and develop those rivalries that can add to the lore of the sport of kings. A prize of $5 million in bonus cash will be awarded to the runner that accumulates the most points throughout the series.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY - Racing is always good at the historic Saratoga Race Course. (Skip ****** stein/Albany Times Union via Getty Images)
The world's most famous race, and perhaps race track, will bat leadoff in this newly proposed racing series on May 1, 2027. The Kentucky Derby has been contested every year since 1875 on that dirt oval in Louisville, Kentucky known as Churchill Downs. Restricted to three-year-olds only, the consistency of this event and the ever-building notoriety surrounding it has made it the focal point for fans of all shapes and sizes. In an effort to continue to cultivate the massive interest generated by the Derby, the Belmont Stakes at the newly renovated Belmont Park will be the next race in the series on June 5. The Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs will follow in early July and then the series will shift to historic Saratoga for the Jim Dandy Stakes (late July, early August) and Travers Stakes (late August). A final Championship race will be run in September back beneath the Twin Spires of Churchill Downs.
The dates for both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes are set and the other dates are to be finalized. ****** ing of races will be important as encouragement for participation in the six-race series in a five-month span. Of course, another encouraging factor is a proposed $5 million prize pool that will be awarded based on points accrued during the series. Each individual race will still carry its own purse as well.

#race

Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Churchill Downs and the New York Racing ****** ociation Monday a new grouping of races for 3-year-olds that includes the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, but not the third leg of the existing Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, run in Maryland.
Churchill Downs and NYRA officials topped short of saying the six-race "Thoroughbred Championship Series" is designed to replace the historic Triple Crown. But with a $5 million bonus and longer ****** ing between the races, that would be the practical effect.
"This series is designed to showcase the sport's best 2-year-olds across a season-long championship, elevating our biggest events and creating the next generation of fans," David O'Rourke, the NYRA president and CEO, said Monday.
"By connecting these premier events through one championship, we're creating a season-long storyline that benefits the future of Thoroughbred racing," said Bill Carstanjen, the Churchill Downs Inc. CEO.
The series is to start with the Kentucky Derby on May 1 and follow with the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 5, the Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs in July, the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga in late July or early August, the Travers at Saratoga in late August and a "Championship Race" in September at Churchill Downs.

#churchill #championship #series #Monday

Over the last few years, the concept of winning the Triple Crown has been fading among horse racing's stakeholders.
On Monday, Churchill Downs Inc. and the New York Racing ****** ociation might have delivered its death blow.
In announcing a joint partnership for a six-race series beginning in 2027 with a $5 million bonus attached to the end of it, one entity was notably missing: The Preakness.
The six races will cover the Kentucky Derby on May 2; the Belmont Stakes on June 5; back to Churchill for the Matt Winn stakes in early July; the Jim Dandy and Travers Stakes at Saratoga in late July/August; and then a newly created race to finish the series at Churchill in September.
As for the Preakness, the second jewel of the Triple Crown? Well, it still exists, but the traditional timing of the race — two weeks after the Kentucky Derby — has become incompatible with the way modern trainers manage their thoroughbreds. Golden Tempo and Sovereignty, the last two Derby winners, both skipped the Preakness, as did Rich Strike in 2022.

#churchill #preakness #last

Cornucopian is the morning line favorite for the Bing Crosby Stakes and is trained by bob Baffert
The Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar carries major significance as a "win and you're in" race for the Breeders' Cup. This means the winner receives an automatic entry into the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland later this fall. The 81st running of this grade 1 event features a balanced nine horse field that is led by the Bob Baffert-trained Cornucopian. With every runner as Stakes placed (finished in top three) or a Stakes winner, this six-furlong dirt dash for $400,000 in cash promises to be very competitive. Named for one of the founding fathers of the Seaside Oval, the career crooner is surely smiling when he sees this lineup of talent. Last year, the California-bred Lovesick Blues shook up the world with a huge closing kick at odds of 18 to 1. Could another longshot sing in this edition of the Bing?...Let's take a look at the entrants and provide a thought on each. The horses will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line. The Bing Crosby Stakes will be contested on July 25 and is carded as race 10 with an expected post time of 6:30 pm Pacific time.
Son of Maximum Security has three wins and a second-place finish in his last four starts. Dominated in the St. Matthews Stakes at Churchill Downs at this distance in his last start back on April 30. Could be a 100 proof player here and certainly a horse for your superfecta.
Hard-running son of Shancelot that has his pappy's speed and his grandpappy's (Hard Spun) guts. Has been in top 3 in 9 of 12 carer starts but has only found the winner's circle 3 times. Trainer has a knack for pulling off upsets, but this is a tall task. A horse to play across the board at a price and oh by the way, those three wins have all been at old Del Mar.
Highly competitive son of Ghostzapper has run in 11 Stakes races in 13 career starts at distances ranging from six furlongs to a mile and a quarter. Was fourth in this race a year ago and finished a non-threatening fifth in his only start this year in the Bango Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 27. He has the experience against top competition and if the price is right is an across-the-board play. Put him on your exotic tickets.

#stakes #bing #three #cornucopian

June 29 (UPI) -- Churchill Downs track announcer Travis Stone had it in a nutshell as the field turned into the stretch in Saturday's $2 million, Grade I Stephen Foster: "A World Cup winner, a Classic winner and a Derby winner, 1, 2, 3 with two furlongs to go."
All three had a chance, but it was the Dubai World Cup winner, Magnitude, who got the job done in the feature event in a big weekend of racing, with action all the way down to some early 2-year-old action under the Twin Spires.
Starting with ...
Classic
Saturday's Stephen Foster had three of the top older horses in training.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: Golden Tempo with Jose Ortiz up, wins the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes with with Commandment and John Velazquez up finishing second at Saratoga Race Course on June 06, 2026 in Saratoga Springs, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The thrilling Belmont Stakes win at Saratoga by Golden Tempo has placed the Kentucky Derby champion firmly atop Thoroughbred racing’s most publicized division. The Triple Crown series for three-year-olds garners more attention than other races, but as the sport builds towards the Breeders’ Cup in late October, there will be plenty of action throughout the summer as others look to take a shot at the horse that became the 13th runner to pull off the Derby-Belmont Double
Entering the Belmont Stakes, Golden Tempo had plenty of doubters. His dream worst-to-first trip in the Kentucky Derby at odds of 23-1 was thought to be a fluke that could not be duplicated against a smaller field. As a deep closer, trainer Cherie DeVaux’s darling was considered as too pace dependent to pull off another victory in a race that lacked early speed.
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 02: Jockey Jose Ortiz of Golden Tempo celebrates with the Garland of Roses after winning the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 02, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Breaking from his outside post, that was said to be an obstacle by some, jockey Jose Ortiz calmly guided his mount over to the rail for another ground-saving trip in this mile and a quarter journey. Chasing much softer early fractions (23.96 opening quarter, 48.29 half mile) than he did in the Kentucky Derby, this son of Curlin was at the back, but much closer to the leaders in this nine-horse field. Rolling through traffic into the far turn the pace up front was not factor for a horse and jockey that moved as one. Unleashing his powerful closing kick down the lane, the Tempo turned out to be quite Golden as he flexed to the finish a length and a quarter ahead of a hard-trying Commandment. Cherie Devaux became the second female trainer to win the Belmont Stakes (Jena Antonucci 2023 Arcangelo) as she guided Golden Tempo to his third win in five starts this year and fourth victory in six career outings.

What time is the Belmont Stakes today? TV channel, post time, horses and more to watch 2026 Triple Crown race originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The first weekend of June brings one last Triple Crown showcase for 3-year-old thoroughbreds in the Belmont Stakes.
While none of the entrants ran all three races this year, the Belmont field features the much-anticipated return of Kentucky Derby champion Golden Tempo.
However, the horse he edged out at Churchill Downs, Renegade, is the heavy betting favorite Saturday with 1-1 odds. Golden Tempo and fellow Derby horses Commandment and Chief Wallabee were all at 6-1 and cannot be counted out.
It should be an exciting race over a mile and a quarter at the Saratoga Race Course, which will host the Belmont for the third (and final) time before the event returns to its traditional home at Belmont Park after the completion of extensive renovations there.

The front-running horses in the Kentucky Derby last month completed the first quarter-mile in under 23 seconds and a half-mile in under 47 seconds.
That blistering pace paved the way for Golden Tempo's last-to-first charge from the back of the pack to win by a neck. Five weeks later, the Cherie DeVaux-trained colt is among the top contenders in the 158th rendition of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, even if there does not appear to be as much early speed in the field.
That could mean jockey Jose Ortiz has to ride a much different race to close out the Triple Crown than the masterful way he did to start it, especially considering the stiff competition from morning line favorite and Derby runner-up Renegade, as well as others returning to the track who ran in that race at Churchill Downs on May 2.
“We just have to hope that a pace materializes with his running style,” DeVaux said. “If that does not happen, Jose is going to have to come up with plan B to where he just doesn’t give himself so much to do in the later stages of the race."
Ortiz and Golden Tempo blew by brother Irad and Renegade just before the finish line at the Derby, needing every bit of the 1 1/4 miles. With this being the third and final time the Belmont takes place at Saratoga in upstate New York, it is also 1 1/4 miles before reverting to 1 1/2 next year.

President Donald Trump questioned why former first lady Jill Biden and former President Joe Biden went to Waffle House after the infamous 2024 debate during an interview on Wednesday, after Jill recently revealed she worried that Joe was having a stroke on stage.
"People saw him before the debate, and he was fine," Trump began as "Pod Force One" host Miranda Devine noted that Jill and Joe went to a Waffle House in Georgia after the debate ended. "I wouldn't say it was Winston Churchill, but he was fine. He was all right."
"Yeah. I mean, so she said he had a stroke, but why would she bring him to a Waffle House if he had a stroke?" Trump added.
Liberal Cnn Anchor Lashes Out At Democrats' Deceit After Jill Biden's Admission About Joe's Debate Showing
Devine asked if first lady Melania Trump would have allowed him to go to a Waffle House if she thought he suffered a stroke, and Trump said, "even in good times, she wouldn't."

Sovereignty held off favorite Journalism on a wet day at Churchill Downs, with Baeza finishing third.

This weekend's
KentuckyDerby
is the most exciting two minutes in sports.

Last month, Churchill Downs paused a $1 billion scheduled track renovation due to #TrumpTariffs .

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