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When I opened Cullman Sportscards & Fun Shop to the public on April 6 I had it stocked with plenty of vintage wax, a mix of new sealed product and singles of plenty of Alabama, Auburn, Braves players' singles. (Image: Johnny Kampis)

Opening a Card Shop Part 4: Opening Day for Cullman Sportscards

It took me several days to even start this column. Why? Because after I opened Cullman Sportscards & Fun Shop last week I became so overwhelmed by customers that I barely had time to breathe, much less write. The response shows the pent-up demand for a collectibles shop in my […]

Super Stock reeled in a Kentucky Derby spot by reeling in Caddo River (2) and heavy favorite Concert Tour in the Arkansas Derby. (Image: Coady Photography)

Kentucky Derby Points Show the 20 Survivors of the Derby Trail

The Kentucky Derby Trail ended Saturday, which means it’s time to parse the Derby qualifying points ladder and see who’s in, who’s on the bubble, and who won’t be discussed as a Kentucky Derby starter. It took 40 points to make the top 20, the usual target number connections shoot […]

Leo Messi leaving the pitch in sadness on what could be his final appearance in a Barcelona shirt in El Clasico. Image: ESPN FC / Twitter

El Clásico: Real Madrid Beats Barcelona for Top Spot in La Liga

Real Madrid won the big derby game against arch-rivals Barcelona, 2-1, and hope to defend their La Liga title. Benzema opened the scoring after 13 minutes, with a fantastic backheel that paralyzed Barcelona’s defense and German keeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen. Kroos made it 2-0 with the help of a […]

Concert Tour and sizzling rider Joel Rosario come into the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby unbeaten in three races, including this 4 3/4-length victory in last month's Rebel Stakes. (Image: Coady Photography)

Get Your Concert Tour Tickets for This Arkansas Derby

For reasons ranging from handicapping to running style to history, the Arkansas Derby is the perfect last stop on the Kentucky Derby Trail. You could dial up a better finishing prep race. But you’d second-guess yourself mid-thought and wind up back at Oaklawn Park. Yes, Saturday’s 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby […]

Cloth Cap flies into the 2021 Grand National as a prohibitive favorite for reasons ranging from age to form. (Image: Focusonracing)

Bettors Tip Their Wagering Caps to Grand National Favorite Cloth Cap

Cloth Cap won the Virtual Grand National Friday afternoon. Now, can the prohibitive favorite for the biggest race in Europe win the real thing Saturday evening? The bettors seem to think so. According to Oddschecker, they’ve unwound Cloth Cap down to 5/1 at most UK bookmakers. That lists Cloth Cap’s […]

Nature Strip is the reigning Horse of the Year and Sprinter of the Year in Australia. He attempts defense of his TJ Smith Stakes title at The Championships at Royal Randwick in Sydney. (Image: Steve Hart)

The Championships: Creating Australian Legends of the Fall

The Championships, Australia’s version of the Breeders’ Cup, begin tonight at Royal Randwick in Sydney with one of the most anticipated rematches in Australian racing. That’s Nature Strip vs. Eduardo in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes, the eighth race on Friday night’s card. The TJ Smith Stakes is one […]

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies defends Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks in a heads-up battle between two of the top young guards in the NBA. (Image: Dale Zanine/USA Today Sports)

NBA Weekend Betting Preview: Grizzlies/Knicks, Hawks/Hornets, Heat/Blazers

With fewer than 20 games remaining in the 70-game NBA schedule, numerous bubble teams are in must-win situations this weekend, including the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Pelicans, and Golden State Warriors. Plus, the Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks […]

By My Standards won the Grade 2 New Orleans Classic Stakes last year at Fair Grounds. However, a Grade 1 eludes a horse who won more than $1 million in 2020. He opens his 2021 season at Oaklawn Park in the Listed Stakes Oaklawn Mile. (Image: Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges Jr.)

Oaklawn Mile Brings Three Familiar Names With Familiar Stories

The field for Saturday’s Listed Stakes Oaklawn Mile brings three familiar candidates with eclectic stories of redemption to a race that punches far above its weight class. There’s By My Standards, who makes his 2021 debut as the 5/2 favorite at the site of one of his 2020 victories. Hard […]

Esports: The World’s Highest-Earning FIFA 21 Superstars

Esports: The World’s Highest-Earning FIFA 21 Superstars

FIFA has risen to become one of the world’s top esports titles, attracting players from every corner of the planet. Games are being played every second of the day, by teenagers in their bedrooms, all the way up to professional players fighting it out in international tournaments. These professional FIFA […]

Mystic Guide's convincing vicory in March's Dubai World Cup convinced Longines World's Best Racehorse raters to make the American horse one of the top two horses in their latest rankings. (Image: Coady Photography)

Mystic Guide Joins Mishriff Atop World’s Best Racehorse Rankings

Mystic Guide had to travel halfway around the globe to earn his spot in the latest Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. Mishriff merely had to travel back to the turf to keep his. The two share the top spot in the latest Longines rankings, both earning a 122 rating. That […]

Hit the Road scored his first Grade 1 win in last month's Frank E- Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita. He goes East in search of No. 2 in Friday's Maker's Mark Mile at Keeneland. (Image: Benoit Photo)

Turf Terror Hit the Road Goes East in Search of Maker’s Mark Mile

Hit the Road allows Dan Blacker to call himself a Grade 1-winning trainer. He also allows Blacker the luxury of having “the right horse” for a course, like in the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile. And, Hit the Road allows Blacker the luxury of hitting the road – taking his […]