Baseball fans are in for another packed day of MLB action, with several intriguing matchups taking center stage. From powerhouse teams to emerging contenders, April 8 delivers games that could shape early-season momentum - and offer plenty of opportunities for fans looking to engage beyond the scoreboard.
The NHL delivers one of its most electric matchups as the Edmonton Oilers take on the Calgary Flames in another chapter of the Battle of Alberta.
This rivalry never disappoints - and with both teams pushing for results, this game offers both entertainment and strong betting potential.
When these two teams meet, intensity is guaranteed.
The NBA regular season is entering its final stretch, and one of the standout matchups on April 7 sees the Miami Heat take on the Milwaukee Bucks in a game that could shape the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
With both teams aiming to peak at the right time, this contest carries the intensity and stakes of a postseason battle.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Kenny McPeek said Blackout Time and Taken by the Wind, who both exit 3-year-old preps, could make a surface switch for upcoming stakes at Churchill Downs.
“We might shift to turf on both horses,” McPeek said.
Blackout Time is under consideration for the Grade 1, $1 million American Turf for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on May 2. Last year, he was second to eventual champion Ted Noffey in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland and this year ran fourth in the Rebel and fifth in the Arkansas Derby.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Nu What’s New has gone from maiden winner to graded stakes winner during the course of the Oaklawn Park meet and the next frontier could be Derby Week at Churchill Downs.
Trainer Jimmy DiVito said plans for the winner of the Grade 3, $500,000 Oaklawn Mile on March 28 are not yet determined but an option is the Grade 2, $750,000 Alysheba on May 1.
“I don’t really know exactly where I’m going to go, but maybe Kentucky,” he said. “There’s a race [Derby Week], the Alysheba. It’s a mile and a sixteenth. We might try that race.”
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – First Division, who will vie for favoritism in Thursday’s featured seventh race at Oaklawn Park, possesses one of the best qualities to be found in a racehorse.
“He’s a fighter,” said trainer Kenny McPeek.
Thursday’s race is a second-level allowance for 4-year-olds and up over 1 1/16 miles. Gun Runner Charlie will vie for favoritism with First Division in the field of seven. Attention will also be on American Promise, the winner of last year’s Virginia Derby who is making his first start since the Preakness.
Ramses the Great has demonstrated greatly improved form since switching to turf in February, but he remains winless on the surface in two near misses at Gulfstream Park. Trainer Nolan Ramsey has taken bittersweet solace in those two performances and is hoping for clear skies and a winning ride in the eighth race Thursday, a starter allowance for 3-year-olds.
The real feast of Keeneland turf racing comes Friday and Saturday, with awesome renewals of the Maker’s Mark Mile and the Jenny Wiley, but the Thursday feature came up pretty tasty, too.
Race 8, a second-level allowance, drew 16 entrants for a dozen starting spots. There are plenty of ways to go.
The eight-race Wednesday card at Keeneland, which opens the first full week of racing, is the first card of this meet that doesn’t have a stakes race – but that’s in name only.
A $150,000 turf allowance for older horses has attracted four graded stakes winners in the field of seven, including millionaire Integration, who is getting his season started in this potential stepping-stone to bigger things.
ARCADIA, Calif. – A one-two finish by Meaning and Brooklyn Blonde was an ideal result to Saturday’s Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks for trainer Michael McCarthy.
Meaning will have her next start in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks on May 1 at Churchill Downs. She leads all qualifiers with 126 points. Brooklyn Blonde, however, has only 50 points and ranked 21st on the qualification list.
Brooklyn Blonde’s status for the Kentucky Oaks will not be known until later this month. The field will be limited to 14 starters.
