1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
Serengeti Empress Wins Kentucky Oaks After Positive Spirit Falls at Start
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Serengeti Empress led wire-to-wire to claim the 145th Kentucky Oaks Friday at Churchill Downs, holding off 38-1 shot Liora down the stretch to win by a length and three-quarters. The Grade I stakes race for 3-year-old fillies was marred...
Hoof Issue Forces Haikal from Derby; Omaha Beach Undergoes Successful Procedure
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Kentucky Derby saw another defection to the field Friday morning as the connections to Haikal pulled the 3-year-old out of the race. The colt developed an abscess on his left front hoof earlier in the week, and trainer...
Churchill Downs Unveils New Pick 6 Tied to Kentucky Oaks, Derby Cards
As the Kentucky Derby approaches, Churchill Downs has introduced a new wager that ties the track’s six biggest races of the upcoming weekend. Bettors will have the chance on Friday to bet on the Oaks/Derby Pick 6, a unique take on the...
Entrapped Epiglottis Forces Favorite Omaha Beach Out of Kentucky Derby
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Omaha Beach, the morning line favorite for Saturday's Kentucky Derby, was scratched from the Triple Crown race the colt was diagnosed with an entrapped epiglottis. Churchill Downs made the announcement on Twitter Wednesday evening. Track officials said the discovery...
Omaha Beach Installed as Morning Line Favorite for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby
Arkansas Derby winner Omaha Beach was named the morning line favorite for 145th Kentucky Derby on Tuesday after the Richard Mandella-trained colt drew the No. 12 gate. The winner of his last three races, including two graded stakes, Omaha Beach received 4-1...
NY Gaming Commission Approves del Lago Plan to Cut Slots, Tables for Planned Sportsbook
The New York Gaming Commission paved the way for the del Lago Resort and Casino to begin work on its sportsbook. In a unanimous decision, the commission at its Monday meeting approved the casino’s request to reduce its slot machines and table...
Favorite Bellafina Lands Ideal Starting Gate in Friday’s Kentucky Oaks
Bellafina drew the fourth position for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks and handicappers at Churchill Downs installed her at 2-1 odds for the Grade I stakes for 3-year-old fillies. Even before landing such a prime starting spot, the Simon Callaghan-trained horse was likely to...
Rockets, Warriors Renew Rivalry as NBA Playoffs Reach Second Round
It’s perhaps the most anticipated series of the NBA Playoffs, and it will tip off Sunday afternoon when Golden State hosts Houston for Game 1 of the best-of-7 Western Conference semifinal. It’s a rematch of last year’s conference final, which saw Houston...
MLB Top Prospect and AL Rookie of the Year Favorite Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Makes Highly Anticipated Debut
One of the most eagerly awaited baseball debuts in recent memory took place Friday night when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. played his first major league game for Toronto. The top prospect, who just turned 20 last month, in the game went 1-for-4 with...
Study Reveals Nevada Most Gambling Addicted State in America
When most people think of gambling in the United States, they think of Nevada. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that a study released this week shows The Silver State leads in the nation in gambling addiction. WalletHub, a personal finance web site,...
