1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
Road to Kentucky Derby Features Three Stakes Races on Saturday
Even as the biggest contenders have been forced to hold off on starting their road to the Kentucky Derby, this weekend will still feature plenty of action as other Derby hopefuls line up in for prep races in Florida, New York, and...
Oddsmakers Tab Kyler Murray as Favorite for Top Pick in NFL Draft
After the NFL Scouting Combine wrapped up in Indianapolis earlier this week, US sportsbooks started rolling out their odds for whom would be chosen as the top pick in next month’s draft. Right now, those odds are looking pretty good for the...
Santa Anita Suspends Racing After Fatality, Kentucky Derby Prep, Other Stakes Rescheduled
Officials at Santa Anita Park announced late Tuesday they would close the California track indefinitely after a horse needed to be euthanized due to sustaining an injury during training. That brings the number of horses who have died at the track up...
Road to Kentucky Derby: Code of Honor, Bourbon War Stand Out After Fountain of Youth Stakes
Sometimes on the road to the Kentucky Derby, it’s not the horse that wins a prep race that makes the biggest impression. Take Saturday’s Fountain of Youth Stakes, for example. Code of Honor won the race at Gulfstream Park and earned 50...
Kentucky vs. Tennessee Rivalry Highlights Weekend College Basketball Action
This weekend marks the next-to-last regular season weekend for most major college basketball conferences, but there’s only one game that features two teams ranked in the Associated Press’ Top 25 poll. But, boy, is that game a big one. Fourth-ranked Kentucky (24-4)...
Road to Kentucky Derby: Hidden Scroll Gets His First Test in Deeply Competitive Fountain of Youth
Last year, Justify bucked more than a century of horse racing tradition to go from an unraced 2-year-old to a Kentucky Derby winner. Could we see a repeat in 2019? Saturday may help us find out the answer to that question as...
Bryce Harper Agrees to Landmark $330M Deal with Philadelphia, Oddsmakers Boost Phillies World Series Chances
Major League Baseball’s most prized free agent has finally found a home. Bryce Harper agreed to a 13-year, $330-million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday afternoon, according to numerous media reports. Word of the former Nationals slugger landing the largest contract...
AGA Gaming Industry Study Shows Charitable Giving, Diversity as Major Tenets
The American Gaming Association (AGA) released a report on Wednesday showing the industry ranks above others when it comes to promoting social responsibility and a diverse workforce. The study -- conducted by the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation on behalf of the...
Nevada Gaming Control Board Denies MLB Request to Ban Spring Training Sports Bets
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) has turned down a request from Major League Baseball (MLB) to keep the state’s sports books from posting odds on the league’s preseason contests. In a letter dated Feb. 21 to an MLB attorney, NGCB chairwoman...
Iowa Sports Betting Bill Moves to House Committee for Thursday Vote
An Iowa sports betting bill is now making its way through the General Assembly and faces a key vote on Thursday. HSB 198 is scheduled to go before the House State Government Committee, and the bill’s sponsor expects it will pass. State...
