West Virginia State

Columbus, OH

The fastest 2-year-old so far this season didn't graduate at either Del Mar or Saratoga. That honor belongs to–at least on the Beyer Speed Figure scale (through Aug. 2)–St Elias Stable homebred Rated by Merit (c, 2, Battalion Runner–Banner Waving, by Speightstown), who earned a 92 rating when airing by 9 3/4 lengths for trainer Michael Yates going six furlongs on debut at Gulfstream Park July 13. That is four points higher than the co-second fastest duo of Mentee (City of Light), the younger full-brother of champion Fierceness, and Colloquial (Vekoma), who ran one-two at the Belmont at Big A meeting June 15.

Yates Still Plotting Path for Top 'Rated' 2-Year-Old

Following his lackluster effort in the $1 million Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 3, National Treasure was doing well Aug. 4. "He broke well. (Jockey Flavien) Prat said he went about 50 yards and he wasn't into the bit," trainer Bob Baffert said. "He just didn't bring his A game, that happens."

Plans Undecided as National Treasure Exits Whitney

Saratoga Springs, NY

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–The easy thing would be to blame the racetrack. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert wasn't going to do that the day after his National Treasure (Quality Road) finished a non-threatening sixth in Saturday's $1 million GI Whitney Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. National Treasure, who had...

Saratoga Notebook, Presented By NYRA Bets: Baffert Says National Treasure Just Didn't Feel Like Running in Whitney

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Total Apex Sports & Entertainment

The Olympics are a time for people to come together and respect one another, seeing which country can come out on top in certain sports. But, for some, the heat of the moment becomes too much and they let their anger and frustrations get the best of them. This is exactly what happened with the latest Olympic soccer match between Argentina and France, seeing the hosts narrowly make it to the next round of their home tournament.

Olympic Soccer Game Ends in Huge Fight

South Carolina State

Colleton County, SC

Explore Beaufort SC

Some beachgoers were in for a surprise this week when a bizarre looking prehistoric fish washed ashore in Colleton County along Edisto Beach at Edisto Beach State Park. It turned out to be an atlantic sturgeon.

Rare Atlantic sturgeon washes ashore on South Carolina beach

Chicago, IL

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Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

Kentucky State

Daily Times

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife has confirmed the presence of Nine-Banded Armadillos in Kentucky. The armadillos came through Central America and made it to Kentucky in about the mid-1980's.

Nine-banded Armadillos spotted in Kentucky

Virginia State

Cheryl E Preston

Bryshere Gray's name has been added to a growing list. Some Virginians have been keeping up with the ever-increasing tales of celebrities and their alleged connections to the saga of Sean Diddy Combs. There are now rumors that Empire actor Bryshere Gray is suing Diddy and Will Smith.

Empire actor Bryshere Gray is allegedly suing Will Smith and Sean Combs

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Northern Kentucky Tribune

Kentucky’s Community Actions Partnerships have announced the starts date for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Summer Subsidy, aimed at helping Kentucky households offset summer cooling costs.

LIHEAP Summer Subsidy program to help with summer cooling costs to begin enrollment July 16

Shadwell star Alflaila (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) will target the G1 Juddmonte International Stakes later this month, racing manager Angus Gold confirmed on Sunday. The 5-year-old Owen Burrows trainee won his third race in four starts on the Knavesmire, his second G2 York Stakes last month. Gold said, “He's a...

Alflaila To Chart Juddmonte International Path

Lexington, KY

Freshman sire Vekoma picked up his first black-type stakes winner as Louisiana Jess ran away from the field in the D.S. Shine Young Futurity Aug. 3 at Evangeline Downs. Breaking from the inside, the colt stalked the lead from the start before jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. brought the 2-year-old three wide around the turn of the 5 1/2-furlong trial. Overtaking Big Rasee , Vekoma's son continued to strengthen and overtook the lead to win by five lengths in 1:05.67 on the fast main track.

Vekoma Gets First B-T Stakes Winner in Louisiana Jess

Denver, CO

David Heitz

More dangerous substances are entering the Denver drug supply, Harm Reduction Action Center warned in a newsletter this week. “The Iron Law of Prohibition posits that as law enforcement becomes more intense, the potency of prohibited substances increases,” HRAC Executive Director Lisa Raville wrote in the newsletter. That is exactly what is happening, she said.

Dangerous substances entering Denver drug supply

The Lens

This year’s area of low oxygen in the Gulf of Mexico is larger than average, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced on Thursday. The “dead zone” is approximately 6,705 square miles , as measured last week. Within NOAA’s 38 years of measuring the dead zone, this year’s assessment marks the 12th-largest area of low to no oxygen, which can kill fish and marine life.

Gulf ‘dead zone’ larger than average, larger than expected for 2024, scientists announce

Red Bank, NJ

Tyro, VA

Monmouth Park has cancelled its eight-race card scheduled for Friday, Aug. 2 due to excessive heat, the track said in a release Friday morning. Racing is scheduled to resume on Saturday, with the Tyro Stakes for 2-year-olds at five furlongs on the grass headlining the card. Earlier in the day,...

Monmouth Cancels Friday Card Due To Heat, Colonial Pushes Back Start Time

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–In early June, while I was working on a story about the GI Met Mile for the TDN, one question led me to another. First: What year did two-time Met Mile winner Gulch go into the Hall of Fame?. Second: How could Gulch, who won seven Grade...

Hall of Fame Ought To Take Another Look At Gulch

New York City, NY

Yesterday was the third time this year that an ad stating Chelsea Clinton lives in a beautiful Virginia home popped up on my laptop. My computer did not warn me this was a dangerous site, so this time, I clicked on the link.

Chelsea Clinton is rumored to be living in Virginia but probably still in NYC

Louisville, KY

Kentucky Wildcats On SI

The best rivalry is college basketball is back this season.

Louisville vs. Kentucky in Rupp Arena will be one of the best games in college basketball this season

Dr. Miranda gives her Whitney Stakes (G1) exacta picks & plays from the 2024 running at Saratoga Race Course. Tell us YOUR Saratoga exacta picks in the Comments!. Don’t miss out on all of Dr. Miranda’s exacta picks & plays from across the country!. Get Dr. Miranda’s Exacta...

Saratoga Exacta Picks & Plays | Whitney Stakes 2024

Sanford, FL

Akeena

Soul food, a favorite from the South, is loved by many Floridians who used to live up North. Florida is home to popular soul food places like Seth's and Happy Soul. Unfortunately, another favorite, Angel's Soul Food in Sanford, has been closed after a state inspection.

Florida soul food restaurant found with debris, "Mold-Like" substance, and raw sewage on the floor

Heavy rains has forced the cancellation of the Aug. 3 Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) and the Troy Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga Race Course. Both graded turf stakes have been shifted to the Aug. 10 card at the Spa. In addition, Saturday's Lure Stakes has been shifted from the turf...

Saratoga Derby, Troy Stakes Canceled at Saratoga

NewsBreak

Dragoon Guard Marches To The Wire In GIII West Virginia Derby

Make that four in the row. Dragoon Guard (Arrogate), who just last time out won the GIII Indiana Derby, added another state's Derby to his resume...

Dragoon Guard Marches To The Wire In GIII West Virginia Derby

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