The quest for perfection in professional sports is fraught with peril. An elite pitcher can be absolutely flawless for eight innings and lose a perfect game if he misses his spot by an inch and allows a bloop single, or an NFL team like the New England Patriots in 2007 can win every game in the regular season and breeze into the Super Bowl only to lose the big game in a monumental upset.
Noel’s Weekend Winners: Grass is Greener Strategy Saturday at Colonial Downs, Saratoga
Welcome to Noel Michaels’ Weekend Winners, the place to go for weekend best bets and spot plays from veteran handicapper and tournament-play pioneer Noel Michaels. Check back every week for a couple of highlighted selections designed to help you cash a few bets and make some money.
Sovereignty, Sierra Leone Top First 2025 Poll of Breeders’ Cup Classic Contenders
Each week a panel of media members, horseplayers, and Breeders’ Cup World Championships officials release a poll tabulating their votes on the nation's top contenders for the 2025 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic. The rankings are a weekly rating of the top 10 horses in contention and are determined by each voter ranking their top 10 horses with points assigned on a descending 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
Where to Watch/Listen: Horse Racing Coverage Aug. 6-10
After a very busy week in horse racing covering racing, conferences, ceremonies, and sales, this week the spotlight focuses on Saratoga Race Course (again) and also Colonial Downs for some important contests including one Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” qualifier.
