CS&T/AllsportsAmerica Wednesday Sports News Update, 04/29/2015.

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Sports Quote of the Day:

"The person who figures out how to harness the collective genius of his or her organization is going to blow the competition away." ~ Walter Wriston, Banker and Former CEO of Citibank/Citicorp.

 

Extra, Extra, Extra: Besides the regularly slated MLB Baseball, NBA Playoff Basketball, NHL Playoff Hockey, PGA Golf Tournament, NASCAR Race and MLS Soccer, we have the NFL Draft, the Kentucky Derby and the Mayweather-Pacquiao Boxing Match. What a weekend for the sports junkie!!!!! May your favorite win in whatever event that they may be participating; Good Luck.

Trending: The 2015 NFL Draft will be held April 30-May 2 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Excerpts from article by Bryan Fischer

                                                                       
The draft itself will be held at Roosevelt University's Auditorium Theatre right in the heart of downtown Chicago. A nearby area big enough to hold a fan festival was a key part of NFL criteria for submitted bids, and this year's event will expand outside to picturesque Grant Park and Congress Plaza. There will be an outdoor fan festival for all three days of the draft.

Trending: Boxing Legends Weigh in on Mayweather-Pacquiao Fight.

By Charlene Sakoda

On HBO's special Mayweather/Pacquiao: The Legends Speak, boxing commentators Jim Lampley and Max Kellerman spoke with legends from the sport like George Foreman, Lennox Lewis, and Bernard Hopkins to get their take on the highly anticipated matchup. They also talked to fighters Oscar de la Hoya and Shane Mosley, who have gone toe-to-toe with both Mayweather and Pacquiao. While the select group of prizefighters gave the advantage to Floyd Mayweather, all agreed that the showdown will be history making.

Trending: Kentucky Derby 2015 schedule: The biggest week on horse racing's calendar is here.

By James Pennington

The 141st Kentucky Derby runs Saturday, and this year's field figures to be one of the deepest in recent memory. The Run for the Roses is always memorable for different reasons — last year, it was because prohibitive favorite California Chrome figured to launch his Triple Crown campaign, and he did — and this year's is already notable because of how strong the field will be.

Workouts begin at Churchill Downs on Tuesday morning, and the 20-horse field will be set Wednesday with the 2015 Kentucky Derby draw at 5:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network. Expected atop the field are American Pharaoh and Dortmund, a pair of heralded 3-year-olds under the guise of trainer Bob Baffert, a three-time winner under Churchill Downs' famed twin spires. 

American Pharaoh has not lost since his first race and most recently stormed to an eight-length victory in the Arkansas Derby. The undefeated Dortmund was sired by 2008 Derby winner Big Brown, who was such a highly rated horse that he became the first horse since 1929 to win the Kentucky Derby from the No. 20 gate when he won by nearly five lengths. 

Also expected among the field's favorites is Carpe Diem, trainer Todd Pletcher's Blue Grass Stakes winner.

 

Preceding Saturday's Kentucky Derby is Friday's Kentucky Oaks, the premier race for 3-year-old fillies. The Oaks has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, but it's always been right there on the Churchill spring meet calendar. It's also running its 141st edition this year.

 

The Oaks' post time is 5:45 p.m., and live coverage begins on NBC Sports Network at 3 p.m.

 

The 141st Kentucky Derby posts at 6:24 p.m. NBC's live coverage, which will include plenty of its typical human-interest storytelling as well as live coverage of the undercard races from Churchill Downs, begins at noon on NBC Sports Network. The coverage will then switch to NBC at 4 p.m.

Notable Kentucky Derby Week Events

Tuesday - Workouts begin in the morning

 

Wednesday - Draw occurs, 5:30 p.m., TV: NBC Sports Network

 

Friday - Kentucky Oaks, 5:45 p.m. post time, TV: NBC Sports Network, 3 p.m.

 

Saturday -  Kentucky Derby, 6:25 p.m.  post time, TV: NBC Sports, 4 p.m.

 

All times listed in Eastern.

How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Stanley Cup Playoffs: Schedule set for Blackhawks-Wild.

By Tracey Myers

The Blackhawks have known they’ll face the Minnesota Wild in their second-round playoff series since Sunday afternoon. Now they know when, too.

The NHL released the postseason’s second-round schedules on Tuesday afternoon. Game 1 between the Blackhawks and Wild will be Friday at 8:30 p.m. at the United Center, with Game 2 here at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Games 3 and 4, which will be at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., will be Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Thursday at 8:30 p.m. respectively.

Games 5, 6 and 7 will be Saturday, Monday and Wednesday, respectively, if necessary. Times for those games will be determined at later dates.

Blackhawks defense needs to be strong vs. Wild.

By Tracey Myers

 

The Blackhawks’ goaltending switcheroo was a big story through the first round. First it was Corey Crawford, then Scott Darling, then Crawford again.

Some of the switching was done because of the goaltender’s performance, but mostly, those changes occurred more because of the guys in front of the goalies.

“We have to do a better job defensively,” Marian Hossa said. “Because we don’t help our goalies much.”

And there it was, in all its honesty, following the Blackhawks’ series-clinching victory over the Nashville Predators on Saturday night. Because outside of a few periods in that series against the Predators, the Blackhawks’ team defense struggled. And it has to be better heading into the second-round series against the Minnesota Wild.

The Predators fired 232 shots over six games, an average of 38.7 shots per game. Keep in mind two of those games went multiple overtimes, so that makes a difference. Still, it wasn’t as much the number of shots as the quality of shots the Blackhawks allowed. The first few minutes of that final game were a good example: Over those opening Game 6 minutes, James Neal and Matt Cullen faced little resistance en route to the Blackhawks net.

The Blackhawks’ team defense was at its best at the end, seemingly prompted by Crawford replacing Darling midway through the first period of Game 6 on Saturday night. After allowing 12 shots during Darling’s time — the first 11 minutes, 16 seconds of the game — the Blackhawks allowed just 13 shots the rest of the way.

“Better on all aspects of our game, be it 5-on-5, defensive zone, neutral zone, offensive zone,” coach Joel Quenneville said on what has to improve. “We had a couple of bad starts. We can’t give up 3-1, 3-0 leads and (hope to) come back and win two games in a series. Hopefully that’s the lesson.”

Duncan Keith agreed.

“It isn’t fair to the goalie how we played, Corey the first few times, Darls (on Saturday night),” Keith said. “We know we have great goaltending. It’s not that; it’s how we play in front of him. We pulled it together because that’s not acceptable.”

The Blackhawks pulled it together in the closing periods against the Predators. They played the type of team defense that’s become synonymous with them. That’s the type of defense they’ll need if they want to keep going further, too.

“There are certain periods of time when, I wouldn’t call it soppy, but we’re not responsible in our zone,” Hossa said. “It doesn’t matter who’s in the net; it’s tough for them to stop everything. When we play tighter defensively we play a better team game.”

Blackhawks updates: Corey Crawford starting Game 1 vs. Wild.

By Tracey Myers

When coach Joel Quenneville was asked who his goaltender would be following the Blackhawks’ Game 6 victory over Nashville on Saturday, he gave enough of a hint that you figured it would be Corey Crawford.

On Monday, he confirmed that.

Crawford will start when the Blackhawks face the Minnesota Wild in their second-round series. Crawford was pulled at the end of the first period in Game 1 against the Nashville Predators, lost Game 2 and didn’t see the net again until the final 2 1/2 periods of Game 6 on Saturday night. He stopped 13 shots and got the victory in that relief appearance, when the Blackhawks eliminated the Predators.

“Great response in a very important game for us,” coach Joel Quenneville said of Crawford. “All of a sudden, tight game, game was on the line and he did everything he could. Great win for him and for us. He exited the series on a positive note. I’m sure it wasn’t easy watching and doing everything to get the chance he got but he certainly put us in the position now where it’s is net, so let’s go.”

Crawford didn’t want to talk much about what he went through in the first round; as he said, he’s addressed it several times. He’s now just looking ahead to Round 2.
“Yeah, I feel like I can get back at it,” he said. “We’re going to have some tough practices here, so I feel fine right now.”

Updates

—The Blackhawks shuffled things with their lines on Monday. The biggest change: Teuvo Teravainen is in and Kris Versteeg is out. Teravainen skated on the third line with Patrick Sharp and Antoine Vermette and Bryan Bickell moved up to the second line with Brad Richards and Patrick Kane, with whom he had some success during Game 4. Quenneville said it was more about getting Teravainen into the lineup. “I think he gives us some options on both sides of the puck,” he said. “I like his awareness. I’m sure he should be excited.”

—Duncan Keith did not participate in practice on Monday but Quenneville said he was just resting.

—Joakim Nordstrom and Daniel Carcillo were also wearing white-and-red (aka fifth-line) sweaters on Monday.

Just Another Chicago Bulls Session… Bulls stress playing quicker and simpler offensively in Game 6.

By K.C. Johnson

Pau Gasol (16), Jimmy Butler (21) and Derrick Rose (1). (Photo/Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) 

Unless the Bulls make NBA history for the wrong reasons and lose four straight to the Bucks, Derrick Rose's assessment won't matter as much moving forward, particularly because the Cavaliers don't guard as aggressively or efficiently.

But in nine words, or five less than his combined turnover total from losses in Games 4 and 5, the Bulls' guard summarized the state of this suddenly competitive series.

"There's nowhere to go when you're on the floor," Rose said postgame Monday.

The reason so much attention is falling on the Bucks' active, double-teaming defense is because the Bulls keep talking about it. Coach Tom Thibodeau disputed his players' consistent assertion throughout this series that the Bucks guard them in an unusual way.

Whatever the case, the Bucks are doing something right.

After averaging 20 through the first four games, the Bulls fixed their turnover woes, committing just 13 in Game 5. But they shot a series-low 34.4 percent and failed to sink double-digit 3-pointers for the first time, connecting on a woeful 4-for-22 for 18.2 percent.

"Some of the shots were challenged well," Thibodeau said Tuesday at the Advocate Center. "We have to finish stronger at the rim. We missed a lot of layups so that's something we have to do better. They were flying at us and we're going to have to adjust. 

"The big thing is moving the ball, not holding on to it. They're very athletic. They're quick. You just have to make the right read. If it's a long closeout and they're flying at you, go by. If they're closing short, shoot. Just know when to shoot and when to pass. We want penetration."  

Pushing the ball up court and trying to work against the defense before it can set would help too. Too often, Mike Dunleavy said late Monday, the Bulls had "empty possessions" in which they didn't get into their sets until late in the shot clock.

"We have to get the ball up the floor quickly," Thibodeau said. "Even when we get into the half court, keep playing fast. Don't slow down. We have to play with high energy. I thought the start of the game, we did that. But you have to do it for 48 minutes."

Dunleavy offered a poignant take on the series. The Bucks, who had good looks at game-winning shots at the end of regulation and the first overtime in Game 3, could easily be up 3-2. But they're not.

So if the Bulls want to avoid becoming the first team in NBA history to blow a 3-0 series lead when play resumes for Game 6 Thursday in Milwaukee, they need to simplify the game. Win the rebounding battle. Get to loose balls. Swing the ball to the weak side. Space the floor. Utilize star power. Limit turnovers.

"I don't have control of the ball sometimes, but you live and learn," Rose said. "Next time I go out there, that's going to be on my mind. Make the easy play. Move the ball when they double-team and make them pay for over helping. Make quicker decisions. It should be easy basketball, but somehow we're making it hard."

That's fitting because that's what this series has become.

Layups: The Bulls are shooting just 71.4 percent on free throws — Joakim Noah is 0-for-8 — after ranking third during the regular season at 78.3 percent. … Thibodeau said Aaron Brooks, after hitting two shots early, played sparingly because his matchup, Jerryd Bayless, played less. Michael Carter-Williams scored 15 straight points, most on Brooks, during a regular-season game. … Tony Snell played the entire fourth quarter, missing all three of his 3-point attempts. "One right at the end (of the shot clock). But another, Derrick made a great penetration on the baseline and he was wide open," Thibodeau said. "I love that shot from him. He'll make that eight times out of 10. I want him to be aggressive." … Thibodeau originally called for practice Tuesday, which would have consisted merely of film review and walking through sets. Instead, he gave players a full day off, though some came in for treatment and shooting. Film review and practice will occur Wednesday.

Passive Bulls letting aggressive Bucks strike first and hardest.

By Vincent Goodwill

Perhaps the flukish way the Bulls lost Game 4 wasn’t enough to motivate them to approaching Game 5 with the appropriate focus and downright fear the playoffs require.

Pau Gasol has said, very softly and quietly the past few days, that the Bucks’ aggressiveness put the Bulls on their heels very early in games, and it prevents the Bulls from being assertive.

The Bucks weren’t intimidated by the atmosphere or what was at stake if they lost, perhaps sensing the Bulls were waiting or a bit unsure of themselves. It was the Bulls’ worst nightmare, falling behind 9-0 and never regaining control.

“They have been more effective, more successful starting off games,” Gasol said. "They got off to a 9-0 lead early and we didn’t want that to happen. We spoke about it. We tried to do it differently. But they made shots, we didn’t.”

Gasol wasn’t just speaking out of turn because he finally had a game worthy of sitting on the podium; it’s been a common refrain through the series, as the Bucks’ length, energy and quickness leaves the Bulls being passive, waiting to see what they’ll try next before issuing a response.

“We didn’t play enough with that sense of urgency and desire that you need to do to close out a team when you have them in that position,” Gasol said. “We have to do better. Not think about losing then having Game 7 at home. It would be a terrible mistake.”

They’ve let the Bucks do more than hang around; they feel like they’re the better team, which we all know isn’t true. But they’re clearly taking the initiative and earning the Bulls’ respect with every blocked shot and contested dribble.

One can almost say they’ve taken a piece of the Bulls’ DNA and made it their own. They defend like madmen, hit the glass and play opportunistic basketball for 48 minutes.

“They’re a talented team and they do a lot of things right, defense is one of them,” Bucks coach Jason Kidd said of the Bulls. “You look at their length, they know how to use it. They understand big game situations. For us, we’re going through the process of learning. You look at our length, we’re learning how to use that. We’re learning how to play the right way. There’s no better team to learn that from, to go against. They play hard for 48 minutes.”

Make no mistake, it isn’t cause for panic but certainly the Bucks should have their attention. The Bulls are still up 3-2, although if Khris Middleton’s wing jumper hits net at the end of regulation in Game 3 that number could be reversed.

“They’re doing what they’re doing,” said forward Mike Dunleavy, the only starter who went scoreless on either side in Game 5. “I wouldn’t say they’ve changed much. Everybody makes adjustments from game to game but if we continue to move the ball, we’ll get good shots. If we don’t get into our offense quick enough, it’ll be a struggle."

These past two games could merely be a series of unrelated events that caused this bump in the road—a bump that seems like a mountain compared to the mammoth series that seems ahead against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In Game 4, they turned the ball over so much, it was the third-highest mark in the past 25 years. Anomaly, right?

In Game 5, Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose combined to shoot 10 for 41, a staggering statistic considering in a given night, usually one of them plays well enough to lift the tides of the rest of the roster.

But nobody else was hitting shots either, thus creating a lack of confidence in ball movement, giving way to a painful fourth quarter where they tried plugging a round peg into a square hole—exactly what the Bucks want, slowing the game to a crawl and daring the Bulls to win by tough shots against a tough, aggressive defense.

“Yeah, there’s playing against some of our weaknesses,” Dunleavy said. “They’re taking advantage of things we don’t do too well.”

Add to that, Michael Carter-Williams broke out of his slump to get the better of Rose on the offensive end. Another rare occurrence, right? Perhaps, except one more rare occurrence will lead to a seventh game where a madhouse will turn into a mausoleum, potentially.

“I sure hope not,” said Dunleavy when asked if his team has lost confidence. “We have a lot of respect for them. They could’ve won Game 3. We’re fully aware of how good a team they are.”

Now they’re being tested after being pushed, unexpectedly. And they’ve created a monster, fully capable of pressing them further.

“It’s a chance for this team to grow, individually and collectively, and see what we’re made of,” Gasol said.

Indeed. See you Thursday.

Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!! Fox not concerned over Bears no-show’s, knows where players are.

By John Mullin

Matt Forte remains away from Halas Hall while the Bears began their first minicamp under new coach John Fox. Nose tackle Jeremiah Ratliff was absent on Tuesday. So was tight end Martellus Bennett.

But Fox was less than unconcerned over what has been viewed, in Forte’s case at least, as a potential concern relative to contract status or other issue.

“You know what: It's voluntary, it's a new CBA, I know where [Forte] is, I know what his thoughts are,” Fox said. “I'm not going to share them with the world.

“I prefer he'd be here, just like any player, but I understand this is the off-season, and when guys got things that they have to take care of or maybe commitments that they've made, this is the time to do it, they can't be doing it in season.

“I'm not going to get into every time we've touched base or any of those things but I know where he is. I'm familiar with where he is. I'd prefer that he be here but it's the same with everybody.”

Bears' Matt Forte responds to holdout reports on Instagram.

By Sarah Langs

Matt Forte was absent from the Bears' voluntary minicamp on Tuesday, the same day he was awarded a 2015 Brian Piccolo award.

In the wake of reports that Forte might be holding out for a contract extension, the running back posted a statement on his Instagram account.

"So with all these media reports saying I'm skipping "voluntary" W/O to leverage a contract it's time to set the record straight. If the Bears want to give me a contract ext. they will; if they don't they won't. I'm not mad or holding a grudge. I don't operate like that. I'm not there because I'm finishing my third week of rigorous speed training in which we do not do at Halas hall. This was already my plan as of seasons end last year because after evaluating myself (which all players should do) I felt I was missing something. As for missing voluntary minicamp. There is OTA's (phase 2) and mandatory minicamp in which I will be present for. This is not an explanation of guilt. This is an explanation because I value you all as fans. But what I do not value is your opinion on what I should do to best prepare for the season. As for the piccolo award this training trip was planned long before our offseason schedule was released to us. I value this award greatly as it is my second time winning this prestigious award. Unfortunately my decision to work on my body and craft in preparation for the season did not coincide. I've come to realize that this year along with each reception or carry might be my last in a Bears uniform. So with that being said its all LOVE Chicago. #ialwaysshowup" Forte wrote, including a video of him running routes.

Las Vegas predicts another losing season for the Chicago Bears. (Oh no.....Please say it ain't so..... At Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica, we picked the Bears to go 8-8!!!!!)

By Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.

(Photo/Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports) 

With the NFL releasing their 2015 schedule last week, Las Vegas was quick to get out some early betting odds. They aren't expecting much from the Chicago Bears.

Last week we asked you guys to predict the record of the 2015 Chicago Bears. Seven or eight wins was the overwhelming winner in our poll, garnering 45% of the votes, with nine or ten wins coming in next with 26% of the vote.  We shouldn't be that surprised that a poll on a Bears site would skew towards an improvement over last year's 5 win season. 

Las Vegas doesn't share our optimism. 

Covers.com has an exclusive first look at the betting lines for every game from week 1 to week 16. The week 17 contests are probably off the board because so many teams rest starters for the post season.

 

Here's how Las Vegas is seeing things this season. If you aren't sure how to read the lines, the + or - after each home team is the amount of points Vegas says to add or subtract from the final score. Week 1 for example has the Bears +4, meaning that for betting purposes, Vegas says to give the Bears 4 points so the Packers are the favorite.

 

Week 1: Packers at Bears (+4)

 

Week 2: Cardinals at Bears (+1)

 

Week 3: Bears at Seahawks (-9)

 

Week 4: Raiders at Bears (-6)

 

Week 5: Bears at Chiefs (-4)

 

Week 6: Bears at Lions (-5)

 

Week 8: Vikings at Bears (-2)

 

Week 9: Bears at Chargers (-4)

 

Week 10: Bears at Rams (-4.5)

 

Week 11: Broncos at Bears (+2.5)

 

Week 12: Bears at Packers (-7.5)

 

Week 13: 49ers at Bears (+1)

 

Week 14: Redskins at Bears (-4)

 

Week 15: Bears at Vikings (-2.5)

 

Week 16: Bears at Buccaneers (+1.5)

 

Week 17: Lions at Bears (no line yet)

 

So if we are to assume that the home team Chicago Bears would get the benefit of the doubt and be favored against the visiting Lions on week 17, then the best Vegas has Chicago down for is another 5 win season. Only 14% of our readers predicted a 5 or a 6 win season for the Bears.

 

What are your thoughts on the early Vegas odds?
 

NFL Changes Tax Status: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction.

By Adam Wells

The NFL will reportedly no longer be exempt from taxes after changing its status to taxable.

 

Per Daniel Kaplan of SportsBusiness Journal and Scott Soshnick of Bloomberg News, NFL headquarters opted to drop its tax-exempt status.

 

The league has been classified as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code, which lists "professional football leagues," per Steve Ginsburg of Reuters.

Soshnick noted that the NFL's decision means Roger Goodell's salary—as well as those of future NFL commissioners, as long as the league remains taxed—no longer has to be publicly disclosed.

The NFL's tax-exempt status has been a source of controversy in Congress. Speaking to CNN in February after Super Bowl XLIX, Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz said, "You tell people that the NFL is a nonprofit entity and they just start laughing and giggling. But it's not fair."

Chaffetz noted he would like to discuss the situation with Goodell.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in 2013, per Kristi Dosh of ESPN.com, that the NFL League Office is a "not-for-profit organization" that receives money from all 32 franchises to "cover its non-revenue overhead activities such as office rent, League Office salaries and game officiating."

Major professional sports organizations like the NHL and the PGA Tour are tax exempt, as Dosh notes in her report. Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association do pay taxes.

By changing its tax status, the NFL does not have to draw the ire of Congress anymore. It can conduct business as usual, so nothing will change as far as fans are concerned. The only difference will be the league giving money to the government on April 15.

 

Orioles to play White Sox on Wednesday in closed stadium.

By DAVID GINSBURG (AP Sports Writer)

The scoreboard announces that the baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox is postponed, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Monday, April 27, 2015, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

After a pair of postponements caused by rioting in Baltimore, the Orioles and Chicago White Sox will play Wednesday at Camden Yards in what is believed to be the first game without fans in Major League Baseball's history.

Because of the unsettled environment in Baltimore, where rioters burned a drug store and set police cars ablaze on Monday night, officials moved the game up five hours from its original 7:05 p.m. starting time and closed it to the public.

''It's all about what's best for the city and the safety of our people,'' Orioles manager Buck Showalter said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. ''The last thing you want to do is put the fans in harm's way. You have to err on the side of safety.''

Schools were closed Tuesday and the mayor imposed a 10 p.m.-to-5 a.m. curfew. The announcement of the unique closed-doors game came late Tuesday afternoon, after the Orioles postponed games against Chicago on Monday and Tuesday.

The Baseball Hall of Fame and John Thorn, MLB's official historian, said they did not think there ever had been a closed-doors big league game, although there have been instances in the minor leagues.

''It's definitely going to be unchartered territory,'' Showalter said.

Since 1987, the lowest attendance has been 746 when the White Sox hosted Toronto at Comiskey Park on April 9, 1997, according to STATS. The New York Yankees' home game against the White Sox on Sept. 22, 1966, has a listed attendance of 413.

Thorn said the lowest attendance for a major league game appears to be six when Worcester hosted Troy in a National League game on Sept. 28, 1882.

At the minor league level, Iowa hosted Nashville in a June 2008 game played behind closed doors because of flooding in Des Moines.

Closed-door games are more common in soccer. In the Russian Premier League, Torpedo Moscow was ordered on April 7 to play two home games in an empty stadium after fans displayed a banner with a Nazi symbol, the club's fourth racism-related punishment this season.

In addition, Baltimore's Friday-to-Sunday series against Tampa Bay was shifted from Camden Yards to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, with Baltimore remaining the home team and batting last.

''Nobody likes to lose home games, and this season we will be playing more games on the road than at home,'' Showalter noted. ''But there are more important things involved here. We discussed every possible scenario, and this is what fits the best.''

Losing money by giving away the three home games was not an issue with Orioles owner Peter Angelos, according to Showalter.

''Peter said it was the right thing to do,'' the manager said. ''This has nothing to do with money or gate receipts.''

Baltimore is off Thursday. MLB said the postponed games against the White Sox will be made up with a doubleheader on May 28 at 4:05 p.m.

Monday's game was postponed around 40 minutes before the scheduled 7:05 p.m. start. The decision came after riots broke out following the funeral of Freddie Gray, who died April 19 of spinal cord and other injuries sustained while in police custody.

Tuesday's game, also scheduled for 7:05, was called off shortly after 11 a.m. 

Also Tuesday, the uneasy situation also caused the Baltimore Ravens to cancel an NFL draft party for fans at M&T Bank Stadium on Thursday night. 

The team said the decision was made ''out of respect to the curfew.''

Golf: I got a club for that: USGA will offer sidehill, downhill tee boxes at U.S. Open.

By Ryan Ballengee

The Chambers Bay Golf Course, including the signature lone tree, is seen from the clubhouse in University Place, Wash. The U.S. Open comes to Chambers Bay in seven weeks, the first time the major is played in the Pacific Northwest. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

The U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in June near Tacoma, Wash., is going to be a unique test. 

For one, it's the first time it's hosted a major championship. Despite hosting the 2010 U.S. Amateur, almost the entire field will have never seen the course before playing practice rounds. (Jordan Spieth's caddie, Michael Greller, used to loop there. So, there's another Spieth edge.)

The Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed course is a links-inspired track that can play firm and fast on a normal day, much less without tricking up by the USGA in an effort to protect par. It's also very quirky, requiring players to gather as much local knowledge as they can so that they can make good decisions during the tournament. 

In fact, local knowledge is so critical that USGA executive director Mike Davis strongly encouraged players to get in as many practice rounds as possible ahead of the National Open.

"I would contend that there is no way a player will have success here at Chambers Bay unless he really studies the golf course and learns it," Davis said Monday at Chambers Bay for U.S. Open Media Day. "The idea of coming in and playing two practice rounds and just walking it and using your yardage book, that person is done. Will not win the U.S. Open."

And it doesn't get any easier from there. Davis said that he will set up the course with tee boxes that aren't flat. That's right. 

"One of the things that's unique to this is the architects put in what they refer to it as ribbon tees, these tees that just kind of meander, and it allows us to put tee markers where we want," he said. "And in some cases we may end up putting tee markers on slight slopes as opposed to you think, well, you're always going to have teeing markers on very flat areas. But there may be some where we give the players a little downhill slope, a little uphill slope, a side slope. So that's interesting."

Or infuriating. Add in a litany of blind shots and unclear bounces, and the person that's going to win this Open is going to be the one that studies hard and embraces the unpredictable.

"This is a one-of-a-kind site for us at a U.S. Open," Davis said. "There is going to be some players that just love this ground game and love the imagination and embrace it. And then there are other players who just want predictability. They want something right in front of them. They don't want to have to guess what is going to happen after the ball lands. It's just a different mindset."

A round of golf takes too long to play, survey finds.

Reuters; Reporting by Michael Roddy; Editing by Ed Osmond.

In the fast-paced modern world, a typical round of golf takes too much time away from family or work for many players, a survey commissioned by the sport's governing body showed on Monday.

The R&A, based in St Andrews, Scotland, received responses from 56,000 golfers in 122 countries about their experience of playing a typical 18-hole round of golf which lasts between three and four hours.

Although 70 percent were largely happy with the duration of their rounds, 60 percent said they would like the game better if it took less time to play.

The view was much more pronounced among the younger generation. The survey found that of 25-44 year olds who said they were never happy with the pace of play, 21 percent said a round would have to take an hour and half or less for them to play more often.

Of the roughly 8,500 golfers in that age range who responded, The R&A said 19 percent said they would like to play nine holes as an alternative form of the game. The people surveyed generally played two rounds of golf a week, making them fairly avid players.

The survey found that the two biggest factors preventing people from playing golf were work commitments, 34 percent, and family commitments, 29 percent.

“This survey is the first step for us in examining, in detail, the wide range of issues currently affecting participation in golf," Duncan Weir, an executive director at The R&A with responsibility for developing the game, said in a statement.

"There is plenty of anecdotal evidence available but we conducted the survey to obtain accurate data on how much of an issue pace of play is for golfers and to give us an insight into what they see as the main factors contributing to slow rounds."

The R&A said it would hold a forum later this year to discuss the pace of play and other issues affecting the game.

NASCAR Power Rankings: Who's our No. 1 this week?

By Nick Bromberg

1. Jimmie Johnson (LW: 1): If Johnson made a nice recovery last week, what was it this week? After starting 36th, Johnson immediately worked his way through the field. He got some slight damage on the nose of his car from that march to the front and lost time on pit road as his team fixed the damage with tape. Then the march began again. He ended up finishing third, one spot behind the man just behind him in the Power Rankings standings.

2. Kevin Harvick (LW: 2): Yeah, sorry Harvick, second over third isn't good enough to move you up a position in Power Rankings. Hope you understand. And besides, what was with this weak sauce effort at Richmond anyway? You led just two laps, the fewest laps you've led in a race all year except for the Daytona 500, where you had the gall not to lead any. Though you finished in second both races, so I guess we should give you a pass. Step it up at Talladega on Sunday, OK?

3. Kurt Busch (LW: 4): If you're predicting the Chase's final four today, are you putting Kurt Busch in it? We are. Along with Harvick, Logano and Johnson. Will the final four be like that? Oh, probably not, because we're terrible at predictions. But it was only a matter of time before Busch made it to victory lane this season, and we're thinking he may make another trip or two before the Chase begins.

4. Matt Kenseth (LW: 3): That slippery Kenseth, just points racing his way to another Chase berth. After starting eighth, Kenseth finished seventh and really didn't stray from the top 10 the entire day. He didn't challenge for race supremacy either, though that comment isn't a diss by any means. Especially when you consider where the No. 20 car was in relation to the rest of the JGR crew. Carl Edwards finished 19th, Denny Hamlin was 22nd and David Ragan was 23rd.

5. Joey Logano (LW: 5): JoLo dominated the first 94 laps of the race and then, well, didn't lead again. He ended up fifth and had a top 10 car, but as Busch's car got faster, Logano's didn't and it was a battle to keep the leaders in sight the rest of the way. At least he didn't have a cylinder disappear on his car like his teammate. Though given how (relatively) good Keselowski was with the engine problem, it may not have affected Logano's finish too much.

6. Martin Truex Jr. (LW: 6): Another race, another top 10 for Truex. And yet, he's almost a full race (42 points) behind Harvick in the points standings. We're not going to rule out a Truex win this year, but so far the No. 78 seems on a similar track to 2013 with Kurt Busch. They're fast, not fast enough to challenge for wins, but plenty fast to make a Chase berth seem like a total non-surprise.

7. Jeff Gordon (LW: 7): Welcome to the top 10 of the points standings, Jeff Gordon. With the sixth-place finish, Gordon is now 13 points ahead of a driver we'll talk about later on in the rankings for 10th in the standings. So much for that bad start damaging his Chase hopes, eh? As of now, Gordon would be the sixth driver in on points and he's only 12 points from being the second driver on that list.

8. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (LW: 8): Blame Junior for Tony Stewart's spin. Or blame Tony Stewart for Junior's spin. Blame one of them racin' deals. Actually, yeah, let's do that. It seems like the safest bet. Junior didn't have as much room as Stewart thought he did, and contact occurred. It made us think of the moment that Stewart had with Allgaier at Phoenix. In both instances, he hit a car to his outside and was unable to correct the car.

9. Kasey Kahne (LW: 11): The car that's 12 points ahead of Gordon and in the No. 2 spot on points in the Chase? This guy. Kahne finished sixth and was one of the first drivers to talk about the inconsistency in tires from the weekend. After qualifying, Kahne wondered about his (fast) car's tires, because he was only able to start 40th. Like Johnson, he quickly moved to the front of the field after the race began, giving some credence to the idea his qualifying was simply marred by a goofy set.

10. Jamie McMurray (LW: NR): The driver who led the third-most laps over the final 300 laps of the race? Jamie McMurray. With four. Had there not been three cautions over the final 50 laps of the race, it's fair to wonder if McMurray would have had the long run speed to catch Busch and possibly get the win. But we're also not going to go crazy wondering about the final 50 laps of a Cup race going caution free, because, come on, that doesn't happen very often.

11. Ryan Newman (LW: 11): It was quite the Newman day for Newman. After starting 23rd he worked his way up near the top 10 and finished 11th. The appeal for Newman's penalty is scheduled for May 6, 20 days after the original appeal. And it's 36 days after the penalty was officially announced. Contrast that with (the differing circumstances as well of) Kurt Busch's appeals process, which saw both appeals held on the day after his penalty.

12. Brad Keselowski (LW: 10): Keselowski's car wasn't too slow with that engine issue. What if he would have stayed out on that caution flag for Brett Moffitt's inability to get to pit road? He was leading, and all but one car was off the lead lap. If Kes didn't pit, he would have prevented the field from taking the wave-around. How funny would that have been, especially if the No. 2 team knew that their chances of winning were gone? If the car was slower, it could have been a realistic possibility.

Lucky Dog: Clint Bowyer. It was his second top-10 finish of the season and first since Richmond.

The DNF: Tony Stewart

Dropped Out: Aric Almirola

SOCCER; International Champions Cup: Schedule revealed as Chelsea, Manchester United take on MLS sides.  

By Joe Prince-Wright

On Tuesday the fixtures for the 2015 International Champions Cup games in North America were released.

Some mouth-watering matchups will take place in the ICC this summer, as Manchester United, Chelsea, Paris Saint-German, Barcelona, Fiorentina and FC Porto head across the pond to play against the LA Galaxy, New York Red Bulls and San Jose Earthquakes from MLS, plus Liga MX side Club America.

Some of the marquee matches include Chelsea playing the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena, while Barcelona will play Chelsea at FedEx Field in Washington D.C. and Manchester United will face Barcelona at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara.

The ICC will also take place in Australia and China this summer as Manchester City, Real Madrid, Roma, AC Milan and Inter Milan will head compete in that leg of the tournament. Plus in August two preseason games will be played in Europe as the competitions spans across four continents.

Below is the full schedule of games with the stadium and dates. Only Manchester United’s match against the San Jose Earthquakes is yet to have a venue or date announced.

2015 International Champions Cup schedule

July 11: LA Galaxy vs. Club America – StubHub Center, Carson, Calif.
July 14: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Club America – Avaya Stadium, San Jose
July 17: Club America vs. Manchester United – CenturyLink Field, Seattle
July 18: Paris Saint Germain vs. FC Porto – BMO Field, Toronto
July 21: LA Galaxy vs. Barcelona – Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, Calif.
July 21: Fiorentina vs. Paris Saint Germain – Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ
July 22: Chelsea vs. New York Red Bulls –  Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ
July 24: Fiorentina vs. FC Porto – Rentschler Field, East Hartford, CT
July 25: Manchester United vs. Barcelona – Levi Stadium, Santa Clara
July 25: Chelsea vs. Paris Saint-Germain – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
July 26: FC Porto vs. New York Red Bulls – Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ
July 28: Barcelona vs. Chelsea – FedEx Field, Washington D.C.
July 28: Club America vs. FC Porto – Azteca Stadium, Mexico City
July 29: Manchester United vs. Paris Saint-Germain – Solider Field, Chicago
August 2: Fiorentina vs. Barcelona – Artemio Franchi, Florence, Italy
August 5: Chelsea vs. Fiorentina – Stamford Bridge, London, England
TBD: Manchester United vs. San Jose Earthquakes

Big 12 working on tiebreakers to crown true football champ.

By RALPH D. RUSSO (AP College Football Writer)

The Big 12 is getting closer to deciding how it wants to crown one true champion in football.

Commissioner Bob Bowlsby reiterated Tuesday at the College Football Playoff meetings that his conference is prepared to use head-to-head results to break a two-way tie for first. He added that athletic directors will discuss at league meetings next week in Phoenix different procedures for breaking ties between more than two teams. Bowlsby told reporters the goal with three or more teams will be to whittle the group down to two and then use head-to-head to crown a champion.

The Big 12 began last season touting its ''One True Champion'' slogan and ended it with Bowlsby handing out championship trophies to both TCU and Baylor, which beat the Horned Frogs in the regular season. Both were left out of the College Football Playoff. Baylor coach Art Briles was among those who felt the Big 12's decision not to declare a champion hurt the Bears chances to make the first playoff. Baylor finished fifth in the selection committee's final rankings, right behind Ohio State. TCU was sixth.

''That will eliminate one of the variables from last year,'' Bowlsby said about implementing a tiebreaker.

The other variable was the Big 12 being alone among the Big Five conferences in not having a league championship game, leaving TCU and Baylor with a 12-game resume as compared to Ohio State's 13. The Buckeyes surged up the rankings thanks to a 59-0 victory in the Big Ten title game against Wisconsin.

Selection committee chairman Jeff Long said after the final rankings were revealed that having an extra game to evaluate the Buckeyes, especially a huge game against a ranked opponent, helped separate Ohio State from the Big 12 teams.

Even before being shut out of last year's playoff, the Big 12, along with the Atlantic Coast Conference, sponsored a proposal to deregulate rules regarding conference title games. Current rules state a conference must have 12 teams and be split into two divisions. The Big 12 has no plans to bring back its league title game, which was dropped when the conference went from 12 to 10 teams, but it would like the option to consider it.

''Going undefeated in a league where there's a full round-robin is easier said than done,'' Bowlsby said. ''The opportunity to play a 13th game, even if it's a regular-season rematch - which many of them are - may be well advised for us. A plausible case can be made on all sides of it, but we're going to have to come to a conclusion on it.

''Obviously, we would be concerned if it was us every year and we thought there was a particular flaw in the model we were using. We would certainly seek to change it to the extent we could. But it's a little early.''

Notre Dame is in a somewhat similar situation, limited to only 12 regular-season games as an independent. The Fighting Irish also have the disadvantage of not playing on the first weekend of December when conferences are playing title games and the Big 12 is completing its regular season. That leaves Notre Dame idle while the rest of the would-be playoff contenders are making a final case for the selection committee.

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick echoed Bowlsby's sentiments on whether playing one less game is problematic.

''It's not that there's a 13th game, it's that it's always going to be against a real good opponent. It's the conference championship game,'' Swarbrick said. ''It's not the aggregate number it's who you're playing. There are going to be years where a team that looks like it's going to get in gets upset in their conference championship game. And they don't get in. Did the 13th game help them? No.

''One year's worth of experience with the system is way too small to draw any conclusions with the way it will play out over time.''

Emmert, Silver working together to wrangle eligibility issues.

By Kami Mattioli

Adam Silver and Mark Emmert (Getty Images)

Mark Emmert and Adam Silver break bread every time the NCAA president comes to town to discuss some of the issues surrounding college basketball and the leap to the pros.

Both leaders met with a handful of sports editors Thursday to field questions about some of the major issues plaguing their sports — one of which is finding a better way to eliminate the widening chasm between basketball at the college and professional levels.

According to a recent survey of Division I men’s basketball players conducted by the NCAA, 75 percent believe that they are going to turn pro.

“These aren’t stupid kids, but they’re deluded about the realities of what their future holds in basketball,” Emmert said. “One of the biggest problems that college athletes face right now is that they don’t have objective information about their potential as a professional athlete.“

He cited examples of agents and acquaintances with ulterior motives as some of the primary voices shaping players’ viewpoints at present, acknowledging the detriment of players having to “feel out” NBA scouts on their own or weighing the validity of a coach who may selfishly want to keep his star around.

The root of the problem, though, stems from the fact the NBA’s early entry draft deadline falls before the NBA’s optional combine. In essence, that means college basketball players are forced to make decisions that aren’t fully informed.

One way to remedy that, Emmert said, would be for the NBA to host an invitation-only tryout for professional hopefuls.

“If you don’t get an invite, then that should say something,” he explained.

Silver confirmed that he and Emmert have discussed ways to help student-athletes make better decisions, specifically with regard to the idea of a combine.

"It's something we've discussed," he said.

Here’s the thing, though: The reason student-athletes are in this precarious position in the first place is because the NCAA put them there.

In August 2009 — shortly before Emmert took office, mind you — the NCAA adopted a new rule wherein players must declare their draft intentions one day before the beginning of the spring signing period in April. The new deadline shortened a player’s information-gathering process by weeks.

Using the 2014-15 season as an example, the Duke-Wisconsin national championship game ended in the early morning hours of April 7. Players have until 11:59 p.m. on April 26 to make their decision. That’s a total of 19 days. Nineteen days to make a life-altering decision without really knowing how one measures up against his competition — because, after all, that’s what the combine is for.

"Discussions with the NCAA really center around two questions," said Kiki Vandeweghe, the NBA's vice president of basketball operations. "How can we improve the game? How can we make the game better collectively? And second, how can we help student-athletes make better decisions? We looked at a timeframe where players could test the waters, could come to a draft combine and really be seen by all the teams, all the GMs, and then get feedback from those GMs in the hopes that they would make a better decision."

But what about the guys who want to bypass college altogether — the “one-and-dones,” as they’re known? Where do they fall on the spectrum of Emmert’s issues?

They're not the problem. It's the players who come to school specifically because they don't see a viable or sustainable option after high school, Emmert says.

"Somebody who comes in one year, goes to the NBA — they're going to be just fine. Their success or failure is now (Silver's) issue," he explained. "It's the kids who make bad decisions because they have bad information from people who have a real bias in the process. That's the stuff that troubles me."

“My position is a young man or woman shouldn’t have to go to college to become a professional athlete," Emmert continued. "If they want to come to college to become a better athlete and get a degree, then come on. But to force somebody to go to college that has no interest in being with college makes a travesty of the whole notion that that’s a college athlete. I would love to work with anybody in the pro leagues to provide a system that makes that work.”

Both Emmert and Silver have the same end goal — to continue attracting the talent that makes the game exciting and sustainable, but the roads each would like to take en route to a solution bifurcate.

Silver is not in favor of adopting the baseball model, which essentially allows high school athletes two options: to sign right out of high school or go to college and be eligible for the draft after three seasons.

"I think (Emmert) knows that we would prefer that the young men have some experience beyond high school before they come into the NBA," Silver said. "Again, it's never been our position that it necessarily has to be in Division I college or college for that matter, but we still think that we'll have a better draft and a better league if these young men play at a high level before they come into our league.

Certainly the NBA Developmental League is an option, but it's not a viable substitute for the type of development that occurs at the collegiate or overseas level, nor is it a financially attractive option. Perhaps that's the main reason why only one player —Latavious WIlliams — has dared to make the leap from the D-League directly from high school. He's now overseas after two seasons toiling with the Tulsa 66ers.

Part of what will define Emmert's and Silver's legacies, at least in the eyes of college basketball fans, is how efficiently they can work together on the eligibility issue. It seems that the onus is now on Silver to figure out some way to incentivize the D-League as a viable option. At the same time, Emmert needs to assauge the skepticism of his constituent schools and convince them to release their collective vice grip on tradition.

Owner Ahmed Zayat takes aim at Kentucky Derby with 3 horses.

By Beth Harris

American Pharoah, ridden by jockey Victor Espinoza, wins the $750,000 Rebel Stakes horse race at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. Trainers Todd Pletcher and Bob Baffert are taking aim at the Kentucky Derby with a combined seven horses among the expected full field of 20. While Pletcher has the bigger numbers, Baffert may have the better talent. The Hall of Fame trainer is going after his fourth Derby victory with a pair of aces — undefeated Dortmund and precocious American Pharoah. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston, File)

Ahmed Zayat can't contain his enthusiasm at having three horses running in the Kentucky Derby. The fast-talking Egyptian businessman is alternately nervous, hopeful and tickled pink.

"Hyper" is how trainer Bob Baffert describes his client, whose American Pharoah is expected to be the early favorite for Saturday's 141st Run for the Roses.

Listening to Zayat's bubbly chatter, there's no hint of the run of bad luck he's endured at the Derby. Three times his horses have finished second behind long shots.

In 2009, 50-1 Mine That Bird sneaked up along the rail and beat Pioneerof the Nile. In 2011, Nehro was defeated by 20-1 Animal Kingdom. A year later, 15-1 I'll Have Another beat Bodemeister.

Baffert can count two of those losses among his Derby defeats, having trained Pioneerof the Nile and Bodemeister.

"Luckily they run the Derby every year," he said.

Zayat had a double-dose of bad luck in 2010. His early Derby favorite Eskendereya was withdrawn days before the race with a leg injury and he filed for bankruptcy protection to keep his racing operation afloat after a bank claimed he defaulted on $34 million in loans.

Baffert has won the race three times, but not since 2002. He's been training for Zayat since 2007, becoming close friends while enduring the sport's ups and downs together. They exchange calls or text messages "like 10 times a day," Zayat said.

"We know the game. It changes every second and every time he calls me my heart sinks for 30 seconds," the owner said, knowing it could be bad news about his horses.

Zayat took his first crack at the Derby in 2008, when Z Fortune finished 10th and Z Humor was 14th.
 

Now 52, he retired 10 years ago, having sold his beer distributorship to Heineken for $280 million and plowed the proceeds into buying more horses. His love of the sport is a family affair, with Justin, one of his four children, acting as racing manager for Zayat Stables.

"He has a lot of passion," Baffert said. "The clients that have a lot of passion, those are the best clients because they really want to do well. They invest a lot of time along with money. It's like owning their own team. They're very competitive, which is good. It's a trainer's dream to have clients like that."

The sport has taught the ultra-competitive Zayat a tough lesson: You may win at a 25 percent clip, but 75 percent of the time you're going to lose. "The first orientation is getting adjusted to being competitive and yet needing to turn the page and move on."

Baffert is in the unusual position of training the probable favorite and second choice this year. He's got American Pharoah for Zayat, who lives in Teaneck, New Jersey, and undefeated Dortmund for India-born owner Kaleem Shah.

"Hope for a dead-heat," the white-haired trainer joked.

Zayat has a close-up view of American Pharoah's biggest rival every time he visits his colt at Baffert's barn. Dortmund is housed in a nearby stall.

"I have tremendous respect for Dortmund, I have tremendous appreciation for Mr. Shah," Zayat said. "He's put a lot of money into the game. He's also passionate. If it's not going to be me (winning), it's going to be someone else."

Baffert refuses to choose between American Pharoah and Dortmund, comparing it to a parent asked to pick a favorite child.

Zayat has no such problem with his trio.

He is unabashedly partial to American Pharoah, the product of Zayat's first breeding attempt between sire Pioneerof the Nile and dam Littleprincessemma, named for one of his daughters.

"Sentimentally, I like him more," he said of the colt named by a fan through a contest on the family's website.

The brown colt with the unusually short tail — another horse chewed the end of it off on the farm — is coming off an eight-length win in the Arkansas Derby.

"From day one, he's been an absolute superstar," Zayat said.

Son Justin favors El Kabeir because he spends so much time in New York with the horse. The name translates to the boss, and it's how the elder Zayat's father is addressed by the family. The colt is trained by John Terranova, although he's also staying in Baffert's barn.

His third horse, Mr. Z, is named for Zayat, but not by choice. His four children submitted the name without him knowing because he thinks it's "corny" to name horses after yourself. Mr. Z is trained by four-time Derby winner D. Wayne Lukas. The chestnut colt is the most experienced among the 20-horse field, having raced 12 times with just one victory but nine in-the-money finishes.

So it's try, try, try again for Zayat at the Derby.

"If you love it, you keep coming to the well," he said.

Kentucky Derby 2015: Latest Betting Odds For 141st Run For the Roses. (Odds as of April 27, 2015).

By Greg Price

No matter the outcome, Las Vegas odds makers like trainer Bob Baffert’s chances of picking up his fourth Kentucky Derby victory. With the first jewel in the Triple Crown only five days away, Baffert’s American Pharoah has surged ahead of Dortmund as the favorite to claim the 141st Run for the Roses Saturday at Churchill Downs.

According to the latest odds from Bovad.lv, American Pharoah has shifted from 2/1 to 5/2, propelling past Dortmund, who was at 9/2 but moved down to 4/1.

Saddling two contenders in the Derby is nothing new for Baffert. Since 1996, he’s started at least two thoroughbreds in Louisville, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader. However, Baffert hasn’t secured a Derby victory since War Emblem’s run in 2002.

Based off their success during the prep season, it’s quite easy to understand why American Pharoah and Dortmund are the thoroughbreds to beat. Coming off a huge eight-length Arkansas Derby win, American Pharoah has captured four straight races while Dortmund is undefeated in six career starts including the Santa Anita Derby earlier this month.

Baffert is proud of both thoroughbreds and considers himself lucky to train them, and he doesn’t seem to play favorites.

"They're both outstanding 3-year-olds, and I just feel so fortunate. I can't believe I have two horses like that the same year," Baffert said to The Herald-Leader. "They're two different types of horses. (Jockey) Martin (Garcia) works them both, and it's really hard to separate them because they move differently. American Pharoah, he's brilliant. The way he moves, he does it effortlessly. Dortmund, he's big, long, and he's really light on his feet.

"They don't get hot, and they're just really quiet, gentle horses. I just can't believe how fortunate I am to have these two, the big guns."

The biggest challengers to Baffert’s attempt at a fourth Derby victory mostly come from fellow renowned trainer Todd Pletcher, who will have four contenders in this year’s field including Carpe Diem. The Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes and Tampa Bay Derby-victor saw his odds move down slightly from 6/1 to 15/2.

Pletcher’s other top contender is Materiality, who’s started only three races but managed to best Florida Derby favorite Upstart with a hard-fought victory at the 1 1/8-mile dirt track last month. But the win hasn't convinced odds makers yet with Materiality moving from 9/1 to 12/1.

Check out the full list of updated odds below.

2015 Kentucky Derby Odds

American Pharoah 5/2

Dortmund 4/1

Carpe Diem 15/2

Mubtaahij 10/1

Materiality 12/1

Firing Line 16/1

Frosted 16/1

International Star 18/1

Upstart 20/1

El Kabeir 33/1

Far Right 33/1

Bolo 40/1

Danzig Moon 40/1

Itsaknockout 40/1

Keen Ice 40/1

Mr Z 40/1

Ocho Ocho Ocho 40/1

War Story 40/1

Tencendur 66/1

On This Date in Sports History: Today is Wednesday, April 29, 2015.

Memoriesofhistory.com

1941 - The Boston Bees agreed to change their name to the Braves.

1961 - ABC’s "Wide World of Sports" premiered.

1981 - Steve Carlton (Philadelphia Phillies) became the first left-handed pitcher in the major leagues to get 3,000 career strikeouts.

1985 - Billy Martin was brought back, for the fourth time, as manager for the New York Yankees.

1986 - Roger Clemens (Boston Red Sox) set a major-league baseball record by striking out 20 Seattle Mariner batters.

1988 - The Baltimore Orioles set a new major league baseball record by losing their first 21 games of the season.

1997 - Craig MacTavish announced his retirement from the NHL after 17 seasons.

2002 - Darryl Strawberry was sentenced to 18 months in prison for violating his probation on a 1999 conviction on drug and solicitation of prostitution charges.

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