Latest news with #YoungGuns
03-05-2025
- Sport
Backcountry runners embrace the thrill of racing with burros in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. -- Backcountry runners are embracing the physical and emotional challenge of racing with pack burros that don't always move at their pace. Burro races honor Old West history and hinge on a delicate partnership between runner and beast of burden. Burros, a Spanish-derived word for donkeys and their wild cousins, must carry a saddle, pick, pan and shovel in homage to a bygone era and the mythical sprint by miners to a land claims office with their pack animal. Some 70 teams will test their skills Saturday in a race winding through the historic, turquoise-mining town of Cerrillos in northern New Mexico. Runners will lead burros by rope on a 6-mile (10-kilometer) or 3-mile (5-kilometer) course on unpaved roads and single-track desert trails. More ambitious burro races in Colorado can extend for nearly 30 miles (48 kilometers). Racers often buy or inherit burros from owners who run out of money, time or patience. Others adopt burros that were corralled by the federal government to prevent overpopulation. Novices easily can rent an ass to try it out for kicks. The race in Cerrillos, which provided the rugged backdrop in the 1980s Western "Young Guns," starts with a madcap sprint as competitive teams gallop to the front of the pack, and other burros instinctively attempt to keep pace. Runners can't ride the burro but can push, pull and coax the animal as long as they don't abuse it. Some racers swing a rope in circles — like a lasso — to encourage movement. Others on the trail cry out, 'Hup, hup!' Joe Polonsky of Monument, Colorado, took up burro racing in 2018. He described himself as a mediocre ultramarathon runner, but in burro racing he's a top contender. 'I am fortunate because Jake does like to be up front at the start of the race,' Polonsky said about his four-legged partner. 'So I will let him pull me.' Burros wear a halter, which is less restrictive than a horse's bridle and bit, attached to a 15-foot (4.5-meter) rope held by the runner. Some racers tether the rope to their waist and draft off the burro. A burro race can devolve into a contest of wills when the animals get defiant and won't budge. But experienced racers say that doesn't mean the donkeys are being stubborn. They're smart and naturally curious animals. When they sense danger, discomfort or the unknown, they will lock down in place, unlike horses that quickly flee. 'If something scares them and they're nervous, they're going to just stop and assess the situation," Polonsky said. Healthy donkeys typically live 40 years or more and vary in size from waist-high 'minis' that may weigh 300 pounds (135 kilograms) to bulky 'mammoths.' Burros first appeared in the region more than 400 years ago, led from Mexico City by Spanish settlers and Catholic friars. For those who rent or borrow a burro for the race, they are encouraged to show up early or even the night before to get acquainted with their racing buddy, not unlike a blind date, said Lisa Kazmar, a massage therapist from Edgewood, New Mexico, who owns four burros with names taken from Harry Potter novels. 'You don't know what the new donkey is going to do, it can be very scary,' Kazmar said. Burro racing emerged shortly after World War II in depopulated Colorado mining towns and now is an official state-heritage sport with marquee races in Leadville, Buena Vista and Fairplay that blend county-fair cheer and athleticism. The pun-loving Western Pack Burro Ass-ociation manages the modern race circuit that extends from the Tombstone Donkey Dash in Arizona to a Weekend at Burney race in Cassel, California, and a new 'burro stampede' this year in the Magdalena Mountains of New Mexico. Tennessee got in on the action five years ago with a race held annually in April. Race and team sponsors include veterinary clinics, as well as brands selling sneakers, hydration drinks and beef jerky. At Cerrillos, the teams compete for Western belt-buckle trophies, including a 'last ass' award for the final finisher. Success in racing doesn't come easy, according to Shane Weigand of Edgewood, New Mexico, a construction manager, burro race organizer and backcountry outfitter for burro-pack trips and 'tequila-burro' weddings. 'You have to spend a lot of time on the trail with your burro, building up that relationship and trust,' he said.
The Independent
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Backcountry runners embrace the thrill of racing with burros in New Mexico
Backcountry runners are embracing the physical and emotional challenge of racing with pack burros that don't always move at their pace. Burro races honor Old West history and hinge on a delicate partnership between runner and beast of burden. Burros, a Spanish-derived word for donkeys and their wild cousins, must carry a saddle, pick, pan and shovel in homage to a bygone era and the mythical sprint by miners to a land claims office with their pack animal. Some 70 teams will test their skills Saturday in a race winding through the historic, turquoise-mining town of Cerrillos in northern New Mexico. Runners will lead burros by rope on a 6-mile (10-kilometer) or 3-mile (5-kilometer) course on unpaved roads and single-track desert trails. More ambitious burro races in Colorado can extend for nearly 30 miles (48 kilometers). Racers often buy or inherit burros from owners who run out of money, time or patience. Others adopt burros that were corralled by the federal government to prevent overpopulation. Novices easily can rent an ass to try it out for kicks. Quick start to the race The race in Cerrillos, which provided the rugged backdrop in the 1980s Western "Young Guns," starts with a madcap sprint as competitive teams gallop to the front of the pack, and other burros instinctively attempt to keep pace. Runners can't ride the burro but can push, pull and coax the animal as long as they don't abuse it. Some racers swing a rope in circles — like a lasso — to encourage movement. Others on the trail cry out, 'Hup, hup!' Joe Polonsky of Monument, Colorado, took up burro racing in 2018. He described himself as a mediocre ultramarathon runner, but in burro racing he's a top contender. 'I am fortunate because Jake does like to be up front at the start of the race,' Polonsky said about his four-legged partner. 'So I will let him pull me.' Burros wear a halter, which is less restrictive than a horse's bridle and bit, attached to a 15-foot (4.5-meter) rope held by the runner. Some racers tether the rope to their waist and draft off the burro. Burros are cautious, not stubborn A burro race can devolve into a contest of wills when the animals get defiant and won't budge. But experienced racers say that doesn't mean the donkeys are being stubborn. They're smart and naturally curious animals. When they sense danger, discomfort or the unknown, they will lock down in place, unlike horses that quickly flee. 'If something scares them and they're nervous, they're going to just stop and assess the situation," Polonsky said. Healthy donkeys typically live 40 years or more and vary in size from waist-high 'minis' that may weigh 300 pounds (135 kilograms) to bulky 'mammoths.' Burros first appeared in the region more than 400 years ago, led from Mexico City by Spanish settlers and Catholic friars. For those who rent or borrow a burro for the race, they are encouraged to show up early or even the night before to get acquainted with their racing buddy, not unlike a blind date, said Lisa Kazmar, a massage therapist from Edgewood, New Mexico, who owns four burros with names taken from Harry Potter novels. 'You don't know what the new donkey is going to do, it can be very scary,' Kazmar said. Modern race circuit Burro racing emerged shortly after World War II in depopulated Colorado mining towns and now is an official state-heritage sport with marquee races in Leadville, Buena Vista and Fairplay that blend county-fair cheer and athleticism. The pun-loving Western Pack Burro Ass-ociation manages the modern race circuit that extends from the Tombstone Donkey Dash in Arizona to a Weekend at Burney race in Cassel, California, and a new 'burro stampede' this year in the Magdalena Mountains of New Mexico. Tennessee got in on the action five years ago with a race held annually in April. Race and team sponsors include veterinary clinics, as well as brands selling sneakers, hydration drinks and beef jerky. At Cerrillos, the teams compete for Western belt-buckle trophies, including a 'last ass' award for the final finisher. Success in racing doesn't come easy, according to Shane Weigand of Edgewood, New Mexico, a construction manager, burro race organizer and backcountry outfitter for burro-pack trips and 'tequila-burro' weddings. 'You have to spend a lot of time on the trail with your burro, building up that relationship and trust,' he said.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Backcountry runners embrace the thrill of racing with burros in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Backcountry runners are embracing the physical and emotional challenge of racing with pack burros that don't always move at their pace. Burro races honor Old West history and hinge on a delicate partnership between runner and beast of burden. Burros, a Spanish-derived word for donkeys and their wild cousins, must carry a saddle, pick, pan and shovel in homage to a bygone era and the mythical sprint by miners to a land claims office with their pack animal. Some 70 teams will test their skills Saturday in a race winding through the historic, turquoise-mining town of Cerrillos in northern New Mexico. Runners will lead burros by rope on a 6-mile (10-kilometer) or 3-mile (5-kilometer) course on unpaved roads and single-track desert trails. More ambitious burro races in Colorado can extend for nearly 30 miles (48 kilometers). Racers often buy or inherit burros from owners who run out of money, time or patience. Others adopt burros that were corralled by the federal government to prevent overpopulation. Novices easily can rent an ass to try it out for kicks. Quick start to the race The race in Cerrillos, which provided the rugged backdrop in the 1980s Western "Young Guns," starts with a madcap sprint as competitive teams gallop to the front of the pack, and other burros instinctively attempt to keep pace. Runners can't ride the burro but can push, pull and coax the animal as long as they don't abuse it. Some racers swing a rope in circles — like a lasso — to encourage movement. Others on the trail cry out, 'Hup, hup!' Joe Polonsky of Monument, Colorado, took up burro racing in 2018. He described himself as a mediocre ultramarathon runner, but in burro racing he's a top contender. 'I am fortunate because Jake does like to be up front at the start of the race,' Polonsky said about his four-legged partner. 'So I will let him pull me.' Burros wear a halter, which is less restrictive than a horse's bridle and bit, attached to a 15-foot (4.5-meter) rope held by the runner. Some racers tether the rope to their waist and draft off the burro. Burros are cautious, not stubborn A burro race can devolve into a contest of wills when the animals get defiant and won't budge. But experienced racers say that doesn't mean the donkeys are being stubborn. They're smart and naturally curious animals. When they sense danger, discomfort or the unknown, they will lock down in place, unlike horses that quickly flee. 'If something scares them and they're nervous, they're going to just stop and assess the situation," Polonsky said. Healthy donkeys typically live 40 years or more and vary in size from waist-high 'minis' that may weigh 300 pounds (135 kilograms) to bulky 'mammoths.' Burros first appeared in the region more than 400 years ago, led from Mexico City by Spanish settlers and Catholic friars. For those who rent or borrow a burro for the race, they are encouraged to show up early or even the night before to get acquainted with their racing buddy, not unlike a blind date, said Lisa Kazmar, a massage therapist from Edgewood, New Mexico, who owns four burros with names taken from Harry Potter novels. 'You don't know what the new donkey is going to do, it can be very scary,' Kazmar said. Modern race circuit Burro racing emerged shortly after World War II in depopulated Colorado mining towns and now is an official state-heritage sport with marquee races in Leadville, Buena Vista and Fairplay that blend county-fair cheer and athleticism. The pun-loving Western Pack Burro Ass-ociation manages the modern race circuit that extends from the Tombstone Donkey Dash in Arizona to a Weekend at Burney race in Cassel, California, and a new 'burro stampede' this year in the Magdalena Mountains of New Mexico. Tennessee got in on the action five years ago with a race held annually in April. Race and team sponsors include veterinary clinics, as well as brands selling sneakers, hydration drinks and beef jerky. At Cerrillos, the teams compete for Western belt-buckle trophies, including a 'last ass' award for the final finisher. Success in racing doesn't come easy, according to Shane Weigand of Edgewood, New Mexico, a construction manager, burro race organizer and backcountry outfitter for burro-pack trips and 'tequila-burro' weddings. 'You have to spend a lot of time on the trail with your burro, building up that relationship and trust,' he said.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Alex Ovechkin signed rookie cards to make their debut in Upper Deck 2024-25 as hockey card prices moderate
Alex Ovechkin (via Getty Images) Hockey collectors will be treated to a huge thrill this season as Alex Ovechkin , who just broke Wayne Gretzky's record for all-time goals scored, has signed eight of his classic 2005-06 Upper Deck Young Guns rookie cards . These signed treasures will be inserted randomly into the new Upper Deck 2024-25 Extended Series Hockey , building perhaps the most thrilling card chases in years. Meanwhile, the hobby is relieved as Connor Bedard's rookie-era box prices start to settle, ushering in a new era for collectors. Signed Alex Ovechkin Young Guns cards on the horizon, as Connor Bedard-era prices stabilize In news that is sending hobbyists abuzz, Upper Deck announced that Alex Ovechkin recently left his mark on history by scoring goal No. 895 on April 6, 2025, and has signed eight of his ultra-rare Young Guns rookie cards from the 2005-06 Series Two Hockey set. The price for such an unusual item could be staggering, particularly in light of the significance of his scoring record. Such cards are likely to become centrepiece items, potentially selling for six figures based on grading and the timing of the auction. As the pursuit of Alex Ovechkin intensifies, the Connor Bedard card price effect is starting to wear off. Through the 2023-24 set cycle, Bedard's rookie cards caused product prices to skyrocket, essentially building what collectors referred to as a "Bedard tax". Upper Deck 2022-23 Black Diamond Hockey, for instance, launched at approximately $200 per box. Once Bedard's rookies flooded the 2023-24 set, that price doubled to almost $500. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo But recent price action indicates that equilibrium is returning. The 2023-24 version of Black Diamond Hockey has since fallen to $300 a box. Meanwhile, Upper Deck 2023-24 Premier Hockey—which many thought would keep the Bedard price momentum going—was unexpectedly priced as low as $250 at launch. Demand was instant, and many hobby stores and breakers soon sold out. In the future, Upper Deck 2023-24 Ultimate Hockey will arrive on May 7, 2025, with presale at a reasonable cost of $165 per box. Local card shops and collectors are already bracing for a large release day, with enthusiasm high following the success of recent launches and an Upper Deck move to a consumer-friendly price strategy. Also read: Alex Ovechkin still has to defeat Wayne Gretzky's record With Alex Ovechkin's autographed rookie cards surprisingly back in the Upper Deck 2024-25 Extended Series and Upper Deck going out of its way to keep the product affordable following Bedard, the hockey card hobby is at an exciting crossroads. Collectors can now look forward to chasing historic cards without the cost barriers of last season—and that's a win for the hobby and collectors alike.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
George Santos to be sentenced Friday in federal fraud case
Disgraced former U.S. Rep. George Santos is set to be sentenced in a New York federal court on Friday after pleading guilty to a series of fraudulent schemes. Santos, 36, was convicted of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He faces a sentence of 75 to 87 months imprisonment, including a mandatory minimum two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft. In a court filing ahead of Friday's sentencing hearing on Long Island, federal prosecutors requested the maximum possible sentence -- amounting to seven years and three months -- calling his conduct a "brazen web of deceit" that defrauded donors and misled voters. They also argued the former New York congressman's recent "social media blitz" shows he "remains unrepentant for his crimes" in a subsequent filing. In one example, prosecutors pointed to an April 4 post on Santos' X account that stated, "No matter how hard the DOJ comes for me, they are mad because they will NEVER break my spirit." The post was made the same day the DOJ filed its initial sentencing recommendation. MORE: Prosecutors seek more than 7 years for George Santos in 'brazen web of deceit' Santos, meanwhile, insisted in a letter to Judge Joanna Seybert this week that he has "accepted full responsibility" for his crimes. He said he can be both "profoundly sorry" and upset by the Justice Department's recommendation of a lengthy prison sentence. "But saying I'm sorry doesn't require me to sit quietly while these prosecutors try to drop an anvil on my head. True remorse isn't mute; it is aware of itself, and it speaks up when the penalty scale jumps into the absurd," Santos' letter said. Santos included a selective chart to suggest the government's sentencing recommendation is out of step with other political prosecutions, citing former Illinois Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. being sentenced to 30 months for misusing $750,000 in campaign funds or ex-New York Rep. Michael Grimm being sentenced to eight months for concealing $900,000 in wages and taxes. Santos has asked for a two-year prison sentence. Prosecutors alleged Santos, with the help of his former campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, falsified Federal Election Commission filings, fabricating donor contributions and inflating fundraising totals to meet the $250,000 threshold required to join the National Republican Congressional Committee's coveted "Young Guns" program. Marks pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge in 2023 and is awaiting sentencing in May. MORE: George Santos insists he's 'accepted full responsibility' for crimes days before of sentencing Santos pleaded guilty in August 2024. The Republican was expelled from Congress in December 2023. As part of his plea deal, he agreed to pay nearly $600,000 in restitution and forfeiture. The judge agreed to delay Santos' sentencing, which had initially been scheduled for Feb. 7, after Santos asked for more time to make money off of his podcast to satisfy his restitution and forfeiture. George Santos to be sentenced Friday in federal fraud case originally appeared on
