
Werth 'nervous as hell' for Flying Mohawk at Derby
2008 World Series champion and Flying Mohawk owner Jayson Werth hoped for slop at the Kentucky Derby. He got his wish, and he's confident in his horse -- but that doesn't erase his nerves.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New York Post
4 hours ago
- New York Post
Pablo Reyes' gaffes show Yankees just how much they need Jazz Chisholm Jr. in lineup
Access the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. Try it free In Saturday's 10-7 loss to Boston, the Yankees found out just how much they needed Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the lineup — even at 70 percent — especially with Anthony Volpe also on the bench, nursing a bruised elbow suffered a night earlier. After Chisholm drew attention following Friday's win by saying he'd found more success of late in all aspects of his game by playing at '70 percent' — a number devised in part by assistant hitting coach Pat Roessler to emphasize to Chisholm that he should try to stay under control — he got a previously scheduled day out of the starting lineup against Boston lefty Garrett Crochet. With Chisholm on the bench for the game's first six innings — he entered as a pinch hitter against righty Greg Weissert in the seventh and struck out, as he did versus Aroldis Chapman in the ninth — his presence was missed. Pablo Reyes swings during the Yankees' loss to the Red Sox on June 7. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Little-used Pablo Reyes was forced to play third base, as Oswald Peraza filled in at shortstop for Volpe. Naturally, Reyes was a factor in the game, and largely not in a positive way. As Ryan Yarbrough struggled in the top of the third, the inexperienced left-side duo could not convert on a ground ball into the hole with runners on first and second. Both tried for the grounder, which was fielded by Peraza, who then swung to Reyes, who was too far off third base for the force out. Manager Aaron Boone did not take issue with the play — eerily similar to one Volpe and Chisholm could not make in Game 5 of the World Series — because of its difficulty level and because Reyes believed he could field it when he gave chase. Two batters later, Trevor Story blasted a 106 mph shot to third that Reyes got a glove on but was unable to stop. Jazz Chisholm Jr. attempts to make a play during the Yankees' win against the Guardians on June 6. Charles Wenzelberg The ball went into the left field corner and ended up a three-run double that gave Boston a lead it wouldn't relinquish. 'Tough play,' Boone said before pointing out Reyes' lack of reps at third. As for Chisholm, he said Friday that Roessler told him 'at 70 [percent], I'm one of the best out there. At 100 percent, I might be dog crap. As you can tell, I was hitting .171 at 100 [percent].' While those honest comments about trying to get the most out of his ability could have sounded as if he were being lackadaisical, Boone made it clear he understood what the infielder was talking about. 'I think we all know exactly what he meant,' Boone said before the game. 'And I think he's right. I think a lot of times less is more for guys, especially when you get in the batters' box.' Luis Gil was set to throw another touch-and-feel (not full effort) bullpen session and has 'probably still got a handful' more sessions before he would graduate to facing hitters, Boone said. CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND YANKEES STATS Gil, recovering from a lat strain, is not close to a debut. Marcus Stroman (knee inflammation) also was expected to throw a side session, but Boone said he was not sure his next step or when he would begin a rehab assignment. Giancarlo Stanton is set to return from Tampa either Sunday or Monday, Boone said. If all goes well for the DH recovering from tennis elbows, he would start a rehab assignment early next week. Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters Trent Grisham sat against Crochet, with Cody Bellinger shifting to center field, Jasson Domínguez playing left field while getting a somewhat rare start against a lefty starter and Ben Rice starting at DH. Grisham, who actually was stronger against lefties than righties last season, entered play far more effective against righties (.931 OPS) than lefties (.631 OPS).


New York Times
10 hours ago
- New York Times
Sovereignty beats Journalism to win Belmont Stakes: Live reaction and analysis
Sovereignty wins two legs of this year's Triple Crown after winning the Kentucky Derby Associated Press Sovereignty has won today's 157th running of the Belmont Stakes, the third race in this year's Triple Crown. Sovereignty won two legs of this year's Triple Crown after winning the Kentucky Derby in May. Sovereignty beat Journalism, which won the Preakness Stakes, to the line for the win. The winning margin was three lengths. Baeza finished third. The race took place at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., for the second straight year as Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., is undergoing construction. GO FURTHER Sovereignty surges down the stretch to win the Belmont Stakes Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Teresa Genaro The rain has also dampened the traditional "run for the tables" to snag a picnic table in Saratoga's capacious and ordinarily beautiful backyard. People line up for hours outside the gates before they open and then dash to their favorite spots to claim a table. On most big days, all the tables are gone within a few minutes of the gates opening. This morning, an hour after the gates opened at 9 a.m. ET, there were still tables available. So when turf races are moved to the dirt (they are seldom canceled entirely), you have horses that run only or primarily or best on grass, and their trainers have to desire to run them on a sloppy dirt course. Often, the distance of the race is also changed, because of the different circumferences of the various courses. Those scratches then lead to very small fields, which makes for terrible betting and low prices. As of now, Race 9, the Grade 1, $500,000 Jaipur is still on the turf, as is Race 12, the Grade 1, $1 million Manhattan. Race 6, the Grade 2, $300,000 Wonder Again and race 10, the Grade 3, $300,000 Pennine Ridge are off the turf. The rain has been torrential since early this morning, and its effect on today's racing card is already profound. Four races, including two stakes have already been taken off the turf, and as of 11 a.m. ET, 38 horses have been scratched. Why does this matter? What's a little rain, anyway? Rain softens the grass courses, which can prove dangerous for horses and which can also destroy the courses when the loose soil is kicked up by the horses' hooves. Some horses also just don't like running on soft ground. The weather is definitely the story. It's been pouring, everything is muddy, the grass races are off the turf. The Athletic The NBA Finals are underway, as is Stanley Cup Final, all while the MLB season is gradually rolling along. There's no better place to follow all the action than The Athletic , with our award-winning journalism covering all of the above and more. You can subscribe to The Athletic on an exclusive offer here. Imagn Images While this race is historically held at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., for the second consecutive year due to construction, the race is being held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The event will return to Belmont Park in 2026. As a result, the race will not feature the typical 12-furlong or 1 1/2-mile length. Instead, the race will be 10 furlongs or 1 1/4 miles. Imagn Images Early coverage of the Belmont Stakes will be broadcast on FS1 from 10:30 a.m. ET until 2:30 p.m. ET. The remainder of the coverage can be found on Fox. You can also stream coverage on the Fox Sports App or Fubo. Imagn Images The post time for the Belmont Stakes is set for 7:04 p.m. ET. That is 4:04 p.m. PT and 6:04 p.m. CT. Welcome to The Athletic's live coverage of the 2025 Belmont Stakes! While this race is historically held at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., for the second consecutive year due to construction, the race is being held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The event will return to Belmont Park in 2026. Regardless, it should be an engaging day of racing on the track and of course, the winner of the Stakes will take home a purse of $2 million. Follow along throughout the day for the latest odds, analysis and reaction.


New York Times
11 hours ago
- New York Times
Horses, jockeys in the 2025 Belmont Stakes
Sovereignty wins two legs of this year's Triple Crown after winning the Kentucky Derby Associated Press Sovereignty has won today's 157th running of the Belmont Stakes, the third race in this year's Triple Crown. Sovereignty won two legs of this year's Triple Crown after winning the Kentucky Derby in May. Sovereignty beat Journalism, which won the Preakness Stakes, to the line for the win. The winning margin was three lengths. Baeza finished third. The race took place at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., for the second straight year as Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., is undergoing construction. GO FURTHER Sovereignty surges down the stretch to win the Belmont Stakes Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Here are the horses, jockeys and trainers for tonight's Belmont Stakes. The following list is in order by post position: Hill Road - Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. - Trainer: Chad Brown Sovereignty - Jockey: Junior Alvarado - Trainer: Bill Mott Rodriguez - Jockey: Mike Smith - Trainer: Bob Baffert Uncaged - Jockey: Luis Saez - Trainer: Todd Pletcher Crudo - Jockey: John Velazquez - Trainer: Todd Pletcher Baeza - Jockey: Flavien Prat - Trainer: John Shirreffs Journalism - Jockey: Umberto Rispoli - Trainer: Michael McCarthy Heart of Honor - Jockey: Saffie Osborne - Trainer: Jamie Osborne The Grade 1, $500,000 Jaipur will be run Sunday as the 12th race, and the Grade 1, $1 million Manhattan will be the 13th. The Sunday card was originally scheduled to have 11 races. As a result of these changes, the New York Racing Association has refunded all wagers involving those races and canceled all the horizontal wagering (pick 4, pick 5, pick 6) after the sixth race today, a loss of millions of dollars. Imagn Images Journalism, which won the Preakness Stakes and finished second in the Kentucky Derby, was listed as the early favorite to win the Belmont Stakes after the post-position draw was held Monday evening. Journalism, which tops the field with 8-5 Morning Line odds to win the race, drew the No. 7 slot in the eight-horse field. Kentucky Derby-winner Sovereignty is just behind Journalism with 2-1 odds and will start from the No. 2 position. Check out the official odds below. GO FURTHER Preakness winner Journalism is early favorite to win Belmont Stakes Imagn Images It's the third and final leg of horse racing's Triple Crown. This year's 'Run for the Carnations' has a $2 million purse. The race was held at Belmont Park for most of the last century. But Saratoga Race Course is hosting this year's installment — the 157th — after its first try in 2024. There is a rejuvenated energy at this new venue, with last year's attendance capped at 50,000. Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby winner, skipped the Preakness but is back for the Belmont. The horse is slated at 2-1 odds. Journalism, the Preakness champ, is the clubhouse favorite at 8-5. Teresa Genaro The rain has also dampened the traditional "run for the tables" to snag a picnic table in Saratoga's capacious and ordinarily beautiful backyard. People line up for hours outside the gates before they open and then dash to their favorite spots to claim a table. On most big days, all the tables are gone within a few minutes of the gates opening. This morning, an hour after the gates opened at 9 a.m. ET, there were still tables available. So when turf races are moved to the dirt (they are seldom canceled entirely), you have horses that run only or primarily or best on grass, and their trainers have to desire to run them on a sloppy dirt course. Often, the distance of the race is also changed, because of the different circumferences of the various courses. Those scratches then lead to very small fields, which makes for terrible betting and low prices. As of now, Race 9, the Grade 1, $500,000 Jaipur is still on the turf, as is Race 12, the Grade 1, $1 million Manhattan. Race 6, the Grade 2, $300,000 Wonder Again and race 10, the Grade 3, $300,000 Pennine Ridge are off the turf. The rain has been torrential since early this morning, and its effect on today's racing card is already profound. Four races, including two stakes have already been taken off the turf, and as of 11 a.m. ET, 38 horses have been scratched. Why does this matter? What's a little rain, anyway? Rain softens the grass courses, which can prove dangerous for horses and which can also destroy the courses when the loose soil is kicked up by the horses' hooves. Some horses also just don't like running on soft ground. The weather is definitely the story. It's been pouring, everything is muddy, the grass races are off the turf. The Athletic The NBA Finals are underway, as is Stanley Cup Final, all while the MLB season is gradually rolling along. There's no better place to follow all the action than The Athletic , with our award-winning journalism covering all of the above and more. You can subscribe to The Athletic on an exclusive offer here. Imagn Images While this race is historically held at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., for the second consecutive year due to construction, the race is being held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The event will return to Belmont Park in 2026. As a result, the race will not feature the typical 12-furlong or 1 1/2-mile length. Instead, the race will be 10 furlongs or 1 1/4 miles. Imagn Images Early coverage of the Belmont Stakes will be broadcast on FS1 from 10:30 a.m. ET until 2:30 p.m. ET. The remainder of the coverage can be found on Fox. You can also stream coverage on the Fox Sports App or Fubo. Imagn Images The post time for the Belmont Stakes is set for 7:04 p.m. ET. That is 4:04 p.m. PT and 6:04 p.m. CT. Welcome to The Athletic's live coverage of the 2025 Belmont Stakes! While this race is historically held at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., for the second consecutive year due to construction, the race is being held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The event will return to Belmont Park in 2026. Regardless, it should be an engaging day of racing on the track and of course, the winner of the Stakes will take home a purse of $2 million. Follow along throughout the day for the latest odds, analysis and reaction.