Orb and Verrazano lead quality 2013 Kentucky Derby field
Orb and Verrazano are the two morning line favorites in today’s Run for the Roses. Goldencents, Revolutionary and Normandy Invasion are other colts that merit a serious look. In fact, Rick Pitino’s (owns a piece) Goldencents and Revolutionary are the 5-1 co-favorites as of 9:00 AM EST with Orb at 6-1 and the unbeaten Verrazano 11-1. Wet conditions are expected so do your due diligence before heading to the window.
38-1 shot Princess of Sylmar wins the Kentucky Oaks
Princess of Sylmar stalked the leaders until just past the three quarters, made her move in the turn, and then went by in deep stretch to win the 139th running of the Kentucky Oaks for fillies. Princess of Sylmar rewarded her backers with a payout of $79.60, $29.40 and $14.00. 3-2 favorite, Dream of Julia, was squeezed at the gate and then had to be checked in her run up the backstretch finally finishing a fast closing fourth.
There were four Game 6’s on Friday, there will be no Game 7’s on Sunday
Friday night in the NBA, there were four game sixes and all four teams up 3-2 took care of their business. At Boston, the Knicks ran out to a big early lead and then held on to eliminate Boston 88-80. Same thing in Atlanta where the Pacers entered the fourth quarter with a 15-point lead before dispatch the Hawks 81-73. The Rockets opened the third quarter on an 18-4 run but OKC roared back with a 41-11 run of their own to send Houston home for the summer 103-94. Memphis also moved on with a 118-105 win over the Clippers.
One game in the NBA playoffs on Saturday with the Brooklyn Nets -6.5 over Chicago. The total is set at 181 1/2. Check the status of the Bulls who have half their roster hurt or battling the flu.
Lebron James wins his fourth MVP
To the surprise of nobody, Lebron James has won his fourth MVP award. James joins an elite group that includes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6), Michael Jordan (5), Bill Russell (5) and Wilt Chamberlain (4) as the only four-time winners of the MVP. King James averaged 26.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.7 steals and almost one block per game this season.
MLB News and Notes
Buster Posey’s walk off home run leading off the bottom of the ninth inning gave the San Francisco Giants a 2-1 win over the hated Dodgers in Friday baseball action.
Felix Hernandez threw eight scoreless innings of five-hit ball as the Mariners blanked Toronto 4-0. King Felix improved to 4-2 with a 1.50 ERA.
The Mets David Wright hit a game-tying home run of Brave closer Craig Kimbrel in the ninth and the Mets struck for two more in the 10th to beat the Braves 7-5.
It’s May (weather) Day in Las Vegas
It’s Cinco de Mayo weekend in Las Vegas which pretty much means you can count of Floyd Mayweather Jr. to be in action. This year is no exception as “Money May” puts his welterweight title on the line against Robert Guerrero. This is Mayweather’s first fight in more than a year and his first since serving a one-month sentence for a domestic violence charge last June. This one could be a good one despite Mayweather being a prohibitive -650 favorite. Guerrero is a a very tough hard-hitting Mexican fighter that is (putting it nicely) not all that familiar with the Marquis of Queensbury rules. The ghost is a true southpaw and packs a wallop. The over 11 1/2 rounds is +260 and might be worth a look. Again, check out SB3s sponsors for up to the minute odds and second to none props.
NHL playoff highlights
Stanley Crosby returned to the Pittsburg Penguins lineup for the first time in two months and scored two goals but the Islanders rebounded from a Game One 5-0 shellacking to stun the Pens 4-3. Kyle Okposo got the game winner with just more than seven minutes to play for the Islanders. Crosbey returned to the lineup for the first time since breaking his jaw in a March 30th game against the Devils. Other Friday night NHL playoff winners were Montreal, Chicago and San Jose.
Lefty leads at the halfway mark at Quail Hollow
Phil Mickelson has a two-shot lead after 36 holes at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte. Lefty posted a 68 Thursday and a 67 Friday to head the leaderboard at nine-under, two shots ahead of three players that includes Nick Watney. Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood are both just three shots back.
Free Play
(Kentucky Derby) Revolutionary (Saturday, May 4, @ 6:05 PM EST )