Sports
6 Things We Can’t Wait to See at Vikings Training Camp
Rookies will report to Minnesota Vikings training camp in 19 days, with veterans arriving a couple of days later, and fans formally invited on August 1st. The time is coming.
And while the club, like every summer, has several fascinating storylines, here’s what we can’t wait to see in Eagan three weeks from now. The items are listed in no particular order.
The Watchlist Has Real Stakes
1. The Pecking Order at Safety
This could be moot or less important if Harrison Smith returns to the Vikings, but as of early July, nobody knows if that will happen. Smith is acting mysteriously.
If Smith is gone-gone, the Vikings will unveil a safety unit without him for the first time since 2011. Josh Metellus will start, but after Metellus, it’s a crapshoot to determine the other main starter, among contenders Jay Ward, Theo Jackson, and rookie Jakobe Thomas.
Ward is probably the frontrunner to obtain most safety snaps because he took over as the starter in December. That must be confirmed, though, and training camp will be the first major clue. Generally speaking, the Vikings’ safety room is no longer as straightforward as “Smith and Metellus.”
2. The Seriousness of the QB Battle
We fully understand and embrace the fact that Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy will battle at training camp; that’s healthy for a football team. We, however, believe that Murray will prevail rather handily — because he is the better, more experienced quarterback.
So, we ask: How interesting will McCarthy make the competition? Will it go down to the wire? Will preseason games be needed to weigh pros and cons of each combatant? Will Kevin O’Connell see a practice or two and say, “Murray’s our guy, folks.”
It’s not a sham competition, but McCarthy’s legitimacy as a contender is “to be determined.”
3. Brett Thorson’s Leg
In March, Minnesota signed punter Johnny Hekker, who was the best punter on the planet in 2015. In April, Minnesota signed punter Brett Thorson, who was the best college punter in 2025. We wonder why Hekker is even needed.
There shouldn’t be much mystery about Thorson’s transition to the NFL; he’s the real deal. The Vikings may not have known that Thorson would fall into their lap after the draft in undrafted free agency. Perhaps signing him was a perk that rendered the Hekker signing useless.
Thorson should be the punter in 2026 and for the long haul, but he evidently has to prove it against Hekker at training camp.
The Vikings always have some form of a kicking battle in the summer. Clockwork.
4. The Dillon Bell Glow-Up
The hype train began for Bell in late April, when, like Thorson, the Vikings signed him as an undrafted free agent. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and former NFLer Steve Smith have pounded the table for Bell, who brings WR versatility and a chip on his shoulder to the Vikings.
Boots on the ground also suggest that Bell looked the part at OTAs and minicamp. That’s great — but now Bell must earn a roster spot, dueling Tai Felton, Myles Price, and several other anonymous UDFA wide receivers at training camp.
Can Bell take the momentum through the summer and snag a September roster spot? Felton or Price might have to be cut to make room. You’ve been warned.
5. Caleb Banks and His Foot
Teams shied away from Banks in Round 1 of the draft because he injured his foot in the summer of 2025 and then broke the same foot at the NFL Combine. As a rule of thumb, it’s dangerous to draft big men with bad feet in the 1st Round.
It’s just that the Vikings didn’t care.
Before the second foot injury, Banks held 1st-Round draft stock; it was just a matter of which DT-needy club would pick him. After the NFL Combine, Banks’s draft hopes fell into Round 2, and he lived there until the Vikings went against the grain, selecting him in Round 1.
Now, listen carefully: Minnesota absolutely cannot afford a draft miss, especially one from the 1st Round. The franchise is trying to emerge from the rubble of failed draft picks like Lewis Cine, Andrew Booth, Brian Asamoah, and others.
Watching Banks this summer will be a major clue whether the Vikings got this one right. He really can’t afford to “sit out” his rookie season with a bad foot. If so, a 1st-Round pick was not worth it.
6. Demond Claiborne’s NFL Translation
The Vikings are starved for young legs at running back. It’s been nine years since they drafted Dalvin Cook. After Cook left — and fell off an NFL production cliff — Minnesota has preferred RB1 options like Alexander Mattison, Aaron Jones, and Jordan Mason. Those veterans are okay, but soon the Vikings must restart the clock with a promising, explosive tailback.
In theory, that could be Claiborne, a 6th-Rounder from Wake Forest with 4.37 speed.
Onlookers will be able to tell if Claiborne has the vision and tackle-breaking acumen to succeed as an eventual RB1 at training camp. He’ll provide hints. The early returns, too, are promising.
But he has to make a dent this summer to project well for the future. The question is this: Can Claiborne become a rare late-round RB success story? Or is he just another Ty Chandler or DeWayne McBride?
Do not forget: the Vikings are fundamentally starved for a young playmaking running back.
Minnesota’s o-line is considerably better when Christian Darrisaw is out there. Accordingly, the update from Kevin O’Connell should be seen as cause for cartwheels.
Coach O’Connell chatted alongside GM Nolan Teasley yesterday. Occasionally, the conversation demonstrated some knowledge of football being a sport that goes beyond the quarterback position. Per O’Connell, the Vikings’ star left tackle isn’t going to be hindered by injury: “No, there’s not [any limitations].” The skipper then said that Darrisaw has “had a healthy offseason” while saying that there’s an individualized plan to work toward keeping the LT1 healthy.
The Vikings’ Star Left Tackle is Healthy
Sometimes, football lingo can obfuscate rather than clarify. The proclamation that football is a matchup sport can sometimes lose its luster since it’s said so often.
There is, nevertheless, plenty of truth in the overused saying.
Boasting an elite left tackle means being able to counteract the other side’s best effort. Traditionally, a defense would put its best pass rusher on the left tackle’s side — the blind side — since most quarterbacks throw with their right hand, making it harder to see a pass rusher coming. The idea, then, is to insert one’s foremost blocker at that left tackle spot to neutralize the most potent threat against the passer.
Even better, of course, is if a team can toss the left tackle out there without there being any help.
Picture a Packers game. Micah Parsons is a monster of a pass rusher who threatens to wreck games. Seeing Darrisaw fulfill his potential could involve letting the left tackle wrestle with Parsons in a true one-on-one fashion. Not only would Parsons be neutralized — itself an ambitious, laudable goal — but Minnesota could use an extra blocker to double-team the next most dangerous pass rusher.
Sounds good, right?
— READ MORE: Kevin O’Connell Distills Quarterback Debate Down to Single Word —
— READ MORE: Vikings Rookies to Look Out for in Training Camp —
— READ MORE: Nolan Teasley Makes First Move By Handing Out $96 Million Extension —
Christian Darrisaw boasts a perfect build to be an NFL left tackle. He’s a 6’5″ and 315 pound athlete with elegant, explosive feet and efficient, electric mitts. Part of what makes him so formidable is that he can stun edge rushers with his punch without looking like he’s breaking much of a sweat. Being able to snag him at No. 23 overall in 2021 — ironically, a draft slot that has some connections to GM Nolan Teasley and Jamal Adams — was an instance of highway robbery.
Combined with LG1 Donovan Jackson, Darrisaw is at such a level that he should be capable of winning the line of scrimmage on a weekly basis. A lofty goal, no doubt, but that’s the sort of expectation that accompanies sending out a pair of 1st-Round selections on the same side of the o-line.
Lately, much praise has been kicked over to new o-line coach Keith Carter. Likewise, Frank Smith — the former OC with the Dolphins who is the Asst. HC in Minnesota — is thought of as being a key component of unlocking the running game. Boasting a terrific tackle can only help in these ambitions.
Oh, and the QB1 — whoever it ends up being — will benefit from a fantastic blind side protector.
Christian Darrisaw is 27. Health permitting, Darrisaw could be an excellent player for another five (or more) years. The Vikings’ ambition is to work toward that future by seeing the left tackle start the full 2026 season, doing excellently along the way.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
Alexandra Eala of the Philippines returns a shot during a women’s singles match against Leylah Fernandez of Canada during day three of the Mubadala Citi DC Open 2026 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on July 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala ousted defending champion Leylah Fernandez with an impressive 6-2, 7-6 (1) victory to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the Mubadala DC Open in Washington, D.C.
Showcasing grit once again, Eala rallied from a 5-1 deficit in the second set before overwhelming Fernandez in the tiebreak to level their head-to-head series at one win apiece.
PURE HEART 💚
A remarkable comeback from Alex Eala against Fernandez in DC 😮💨#MubadalaDCOpen pic.twitter.com/jHgMacWOgf
— wta (@WTA) July 29, 2026
“I think I definitely had some tough moments in that match, and credit to Leylah, she put me in some really tough positions,” Eala, who previously lost to Fernandez in the Stuttgart Open in April, said. “So, I think I’m super proud of how I fought and how I stayed in there.”
On the verge of playing another three-setter, Eala responded by winning five straight games to take a 6-5 lead, but Fernandez held serve to force a tiebreak.
The Filipino tennis star wasted no time in the tiebreak, building a 3-0 advantage before Fernandez got on the board. Eala then won four straight points to close out the match in one hour and 53 minutes.
Eala will face the winner between Polina Kudermetova and Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals.
The world No. 28 came out firing in the first set with a 3-0 lead, opening the match with a love hold to set the tone. She traded holds with Fernandez before sealing the set with her second break.
Alexandra Eala of the Philippines returns a shot during a women’s singles match against Leylah Fernandez of Canada during day three of the Mubadala Citi DC Open 2026 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on July 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP
But Eala admittedly struggled in the second after Fernandez, currently ranked No. 34 with a career-high No. 13, found her rhythm and reeled off five straight games to move within a game of forcing a decider.
That was when Eala regained her composure—reminiscent of her Round of 32 win over Zheng Qinwen, when she rallied from a set down—and retook control of the match.
“I know that she was playing a little better, and maybe my level dropped a little bit. I think those are very tricky moments when you know your level has dropped, and you want to do better, but things just, for one reason or another, aren’t coming out,” Eala, who beat Zheng 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, said.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
“I think patience was key there, and just trying to work it out, and have a strong mentality in terms of trying to find solutions.”
Eala eyes another semifinal appearance this year in her first tournament of the North American swing as part of her buildup to the US Open.
Back in rookie minicamp, the Vikings welcomed a veteran passer to town in an effort to keep the pigskin spinnin’. Cooper Rush has been a pro for a long time, leading to some attention about him going out for a cluster of practices meant for the NFL’s newest employees.
Kevin O’Connell demonstrated some good self awareness on the matter. In fact, he made jokes about hoping that Rush didn’t hang up the phone due to being asked about coming to the Twin Cities for an unusual arrangement.
Part of O’Connell’s hope was to build a communication avenue should there be a need for an emergency passer. Pursuing that initial plan may now need to occur at the front office level since Rush is no longer unemployed.
Look at what ESPN’s Adam Schefter said in the update: “With Atlanta QB Tua Tagovailoa dealing with a tight back and Michael Penix still not practicing due to a knee injury, the Falcons are signing veteran quarterback Cooper Rush, per sources.”
The Vikings’ Emergency QB Plan
The Falcons are being led by Kevin Stefanski. If that name sounds familiar, then that’s for good reason. Coach Stefanski got his start in the NFL with the Vikings, rising up to being the offensive coordinator before getting stolen away to be the head coach of the Browns.
— READ MORE: Kevin O’Connell Distills Quarterback Debate Down to Single Word —
— READ MORE: Vikings Rookies to Look Out for in Training Camp —
— READ MORE: Nolan Teasley Makes First Move By Handing Out $96 Million Extension —
Stefanski is now in Atlanta to work alongside a pair of southpaw passers. Most notably, there’s Michael Penix Jr.. He’s the quarterback who got chosen at No. 8 in the same draft where J.J. McCarthy went at No. 10. Part of what made that decision wild (other than the move being a huge reach) was that Kirk Cousins had just been signed to a monstrous contract. Atlanta created a mess and is still digesting the consequences.
Otherwise, there’s Tua Tavogailoa in town to battle for the starting spot.
Upon first glance, employing these two quarterbacks would appear to leave little room for a third passer. The issue is that both are working through injury, albeit of a different severity.
Marc Raimondi (ESPN) with an update on Penix: “Penix said it might be another four weeks to get cleared or maybe earlier, depending on how his body feels during camp.” Meanwhile, Tagovailoa is inching closer. Schefter sent a quick word on the matter: “Falcons HC Kevin Stefanski said QB Tua Tagovailoa ‘will be out there sooner rather than later.’”
So, the pivot is toward Cooper Rush. He’ll quickly learn his assignment while allowing for Atlanta to function in training camp practices.
Minnesota’s passer depth chart is pretty stuffed. Check out how most view things:
- QB1 Kyler Murray
- QB2 J.J. McCarthy
- QB3 Carson Wentz
- QB4 Max Brosmer
Of those options, Max Brosmer is the most insecure in his roster spot. What’s somewhat ironic is that the firmest assignment belongs to Carson Wentz. He’s close to assured of being the emergency quarterback. Where there’s room for some debate is who secures the top spot.
What threatens things is the ever-present danger of injury. The 2023 season was undermined largely by shuffling through four quarterbacks. Something similar could be said of the 2025 season due to the three different quarterbacks who were needed last year. Minnesota’s approach has been to hope for the best while planning for the worst.
In Cooper Rush, the Vikings felt as though they had a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option sitting in free agency. Leaving him there, in free agency, meant allowing for some risk of losing him. Minnesota will need to look elsewhere for a veteran shepherd for their complex scheme if injury runs amok on the QB room yet again.
Cooper Rush, 32, has played in 42 NFL games dating back to 2017.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
I’ve had a Motocaddy Electric Caddy for three years now, dating back to the 2024 model of the M7 Remote GPS. For me, the Motocaddy unlocked a whole new world. I have some sports injuries from the past that are quite troublesome when walking 18 holes while carrying a bag or even pushing a cart, but the Motocaddy freed up the stress on my joints to enjoy my rounds with friends who also enjoy the walk. Last year I upgraded to the 2025 model of the M7 Remote, and for the past two months I have been using the 2026 model of the M7 Remote.
So how does Motocaddy continue to make the product better every year? Let’s dive in.
The Motocaddy M7 Remote (2026) is a three-wheeled electric caddy that you can steer around the golf course with a remote. They also have a cheaper M5 model without the remote as well as a more expensive M7 Remote GPS which unlocks the ability for the on-board screen to act as a course GPS; you can plot out distance to hazards and yardages to the front, middle and back of greens. You can also pair their caddies with one of their golf bags, which feature their unique locking system. That saves you from having to strap in the bottom of the bag and makes getting the clubs on the trolley faster and more secure. I like the EliteFlex Hybrid Golf Bag.
If you buy a linked product,
GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.
Winner of the My Golf Spy ‘Most Wanted’ award, the compact-folding M7 REMOTE features a rechargeable handset, removable anti-tip wheel, and automatic Downhill Control technology for the ultimate in responsive control. Responsive Remote Following extensive development and testing, the M7 REMOTE’s powerful drive system offers unrivalled reliability, optimized battery efficiency, and instinctive caddy control from your first time behind the wheel. Take Control The rechargeable remote control handset conveniently clips to the caddy frame for easy access and storage. The latest handset provides golfers with ergonomic controls, improving usability and precision when controlling the caddy. Compact Folding, Simplified The sophisticated remote control model integrates all the cutting-edge M-Series functionality including the world’s simplest folding mechanism, innovative trunk friendly design, high-power 28.8V system, easily-adjustable handle height and over-sized tubing for ultimate caddy stability. It also features a removable rear anti-tip wheel and automatic Downhill Control to traverse undulations with ease. Downhill Control Technology Established over a decade ago, Downhill Control (DHC) has undergone extensive development and refinement since its creation. The game-changing technology is now considered an essential feature for thousands of golfers across the globe. DHC ensures the caddy maintains a constant speed while moving down a gradient, helping golfers stay in complete control around even the most undulating golf courses. The award-winning feature is now bolstered by the integration of all-terrain wheels. IDEAL FOR : Golfers looking for a small folding remote model with exceptional control Features: Rechargeable remote-control handset Ergonomic design that can be conveniently attached to the caddy frame Forward, left, right & reverse controls Ultra-responsive handset buttons make caddy handling instinctive Automatic Downhill Control Allows the caddy to maintain a constant speed when moving down a gradient NEW Slimline all terrain rear wheels With anti-skid tread to tackle all types of ground with ease Pause & resume, plus emergency stop Helps golfers stay in control and safely navigate around the course Remote handset lock function Ensures the handset does not get engaged accidentally Easy manual control mode Instantly switch to handle control when preferred Removable rear anti-tip wheel Keeps the caddy stable through rough terrain and course undulations 50m range cut-out Control the M7 REMOTE from distance with complete peace of mind 120 second hibernation Stops the caddy if no buttons are pressed for 2 minutes Simple, compact-folding system Award-winning M-Series folding technology fits into the smallest car boots Next generation, High Power 28V system More powerful, efficient, & reliable than ever before Nine-speed settings, Speed indicator & Battery meter Stay in complete control with a quick glance at the handle display NEW Anti-glare LCD widescreen display Redesigned interface for improved performance On screen remote handset battery meter Helps ensure the wireless remote remains charged & ready for action USB charging port Ideal for charging any USB powered device while you play High-capacity, waterproof Lithium battery IP66 water & dust rating for complete protection against the elements On board battery charging No need to remove the battery for storage, transportation & charging Oversize tubing for ultimate handle stability Thicker frame profile combines with top quality materials for unrivalled performance Innovative inverting wheels Revolutionary space-saving technology – flip the wheels to fit into the tightest spaces Convenient auto-open stand Allows the caddy to stand upright for minimised folded footprint Simple, fully-adjustable handle height Ensures the caddy is optimised for golfers of every height Two powerful, whisper‑quiet 230W DHC motors Quiet, exceptional performance with power when you need it EASILOCK™ compatible Securely attach your Motocaddy golf bag without a lower bag strap
View Product
Thanks to the 28V battery (which can remain on the trolley while charging at home) the Motocaddy M7 Remote is very responsive to the remote control. In an older YouTube video about the 2024 model I steered my 2024 M7 from the tee box of a 380-yard Par 4 all the way to the green without losing control of the device. If you do happen to lose sight of the trolley or control of it from the remote, it has a fail-safe to stop the caddy once the connection is lost. The 2026 version has been no different. It’s actually become a running joke when playing with new people that they think I’m going to lose control of the trolley. The battery also has a long life. I’ve played 54 holes in a single day with mine, although I’d safely say that 36 holes would be a better limit to set for yourself, just in case.
The remote is very responsive. It’s easy to use with left and right directional controls, up and down for speed control, and a central pause button to stop the caddy’s movement. It does take a few holes to get used to the responsiveness of the remote to the unit, but it’s a quick learning curve. You can also adjust the trim of the caddy to make sure that it stays in a straight line as it’s moving. This is something I’ll usually do on the first hole. Changing up your bag setup or the things you carry in your bag can shift the weight placement and affect the trim.
;)
Jake Morrow / GOLF
There’s also a remote power button to make sure you’re not inputting any unnecessary commands when you don’t want to. Typically I’ll park the caddy off the green once I’ve got my putter in hand and then press the power button on the remote to make sure nothing happens while I am going through my putting routine or watching members of the group finish out.
One huge upgrade for the M7 Remote this year is that they have finally switched the charging cable for the remote itself over to USB-C. No more having to keep track of the outdated USB-A cable. Thank the heavens.
;)
Jake Morrow / GOLF
If for any reason you have issues with the remote, you forget the remote at home, or you end up putting the remote in the washing machine (don’t ask) you can still use the caddy. At that point it just becomes a self-powered push cart. As long as you stay behind it and within arms reach to push the large stop/go button on the handlebars you won’t have any issues. The stop/go button is also a dial for speed control which you can track on the large screen. The 2026 version of the M7 Remote can also track distance travelled for the round and an individual shot as well as keep time for the round.
;)
Jake Morrow / GOLF
In the box you’ll also get a few accessories including a scorecard holder, umbrella holder, bottle holder and an anti-tip wheel for the back. You’re going to want to install that anti-tip wheel immediately because it will absolutely be the reason you don’t break your new Motocaddy. It also gives you the chance to turn your Motocaddy into an R2-D2 like character every time you start it moving. That’s just a nice bonus. Motocaddy also has plenty of accessories available to build the perfect caddy system for you. Heated gloves for the handles, an accessory pouch to load down the caddy with more gear, a seat for taking breaks, a rangefinder pouch, and more are all available from their site or major retailers.
When you’re done with your round the M7 Remote folds down into a very managable size and it automatically shuts off and disconnects the battery once you fold it down. It just takes two levers to fold the M7 Remote into itself and it can fit in whatever car you’re driving to the course.
;)
Jake Morrow / GOLF
At the end of the day, the Motocaddy really is a big help. I can’t make it through 18 holes carrying my bag on my shoulders or pushing a push cart. My knees give out and it’s rather uncomfortable to finish the round. I also don’t play many places that have caddies available. When I’m home, I try to walk as much as I can and the Motocaddy allows me to do that. I even bring my old Motocaddy with me for friends to use, and they love the relief just as much as I do.
You can watch my old 2024 Motocaddy review below
“>
King Alexander (20/1) won the Tote Galway Plate at Ballybrit on Wednesday afternoon,
Trained by Willie Mullins, the Daniel King-ridden eight-year-old gave the Closutton trainer his third victory in the Grade 3 feature.
In a race where big-priced horses filled the first three spots, Paul Nolan’s Conyers Hill (25/1), the mount of Aldan O’Sullivan, was second, with Gorgeous Tom (25/1), from the Waterford stable of Henry de Bromhead, third at 25/1.
There was only a half-length and three-quarters-of-a-length respectively between the first three finishers in the €270,000 Wednesday feature.
Rising star Daniel King gives us his reaction to winning the Galway Plate for Willie Mullins 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/9rqMzkGHdi
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 29, 2026
Willie Mullins treble
The win completed a treble for Mullins this evening, having earlier won the maiden hurdle and the mares’ handicap hurdle.
The champion trainer began the day with the victory of Mr Hollywood (2/1 favourite) in the opening Tote Guaranteed 50k Placepot Maiden Hurdle.
The gelded bay son of Iquitos, last seen when finishing third in the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot last month, came late on the stands’ side under Brian Hayes as the six-year-old beat Emmet Mullins’ Jeroboam Machin (10/1) and Donagh Meyler by half-a-length. Another Willie Mullins-prepared runner, Al Arrivee (3/1), the mount of Patrick Mullins, was two-and-a-half lengths further back to complete a Mullins family trifecta.
Mullins had brought up a double on the evening when the impressive French-bred Venusienne took the Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten by SP Irish EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle for rider Harry Cobden. The daughter of Capital Stud’s Authorized had a two-and-a-half length advantage over the Joseph O’Brien-trained Fratas (2/1f) at the winning line, with Emesteraye (16/1) third.
Handicap BLOT 🎯
Venusienne turns what looked a hugely competitive handicap into a procession.@CobdenHarry | @WillieMullinsNH | @Galway_Races pic.twitter.com/zH1bFlQkYN
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 29, 2026
Berkshire is Mighty in Handicap Hurdle
Mighty Berkshire (15/2) was a popular victor in the Tote.ie Money-Back 2nd Every Race Handicap Hurdle for owner/jockey Declan Queally. The Waterford handler’s runner was only contesting his second handicap, and the addition of new headgear seemed to help the six-year-old bay gelding. Owned by the Man About Dog Syndicate, comprising members from counties in Munster, Mighty Berkshire won by a length-and-a-quarter from Noel Meade’s Golden Temple (5/1), with Macshadow Des Crai third at 14/1 under Jack Kennedy.
All change late on! 👀
Mighty Berkshire collars Golden Temple, who must have traded VERY short in-running!@Galway_Races pic.twitter.com/e2l9rwhOkY
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 29, 2026
Birthday winner for Dermot Weld
Abbotsford (7/4 favourite), owned and bred by Juddmonte Farms, gave Dermot Weld a birthday present when winning the Visit Tote26 On Course (Q.R.) Maiden over one mile four furlongs and 43 yards.
The three-year-old son of Frankel, who was gelded since finishing runner-up at Cork last May, was an easy seven-and-a-half length winner for amateur jockey Finny Maguire, son of former top National Hunt rider, Adrian.
Joey Sheridan and Minella Rockett (10/1) came late in the Tote Every Day Is A Money-Back Day Handicap to get a neck advantage over Johnny Soda (11/2) at the line, to deny Ado McGuinness another winner at Galway this week. Krasimir (15/2) was a head back in a tight finish to the 1 mile 123 yards race.
The final race of Galway Plate Day, the Bet With Tote.ie On Racing & Sports Handicap went the way of Cock And Bull (7/2jf) for Sam Coen and Emmet Mullins.
India’s teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has added another milestone to his rapidly rising career after being appointed vice-captain of the East Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy 2026. Fresh from winning the Player of the Series award during India’s tour of Zimbabwe, Sooryavanshi will serve as deputy to Ishan Kishan, who has been named captain of the East Zone side for the prestigious red-ball tournament beginning on August 23 in Bengaluru.
The vice-captaincy marks another major achievement for the youngster, who made his international debut during India’s tour of England earlier this month. Following a string of impressive performances for India and in domestic cricket, Sooryavanshi has now been entrusted with a leadership role in one of India’s premier domestic tournaments.
He is expected to open the batting alongside experienced Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran, who returns as the most seasoned player in the squad with more than 100 first-class appearances.
Ishan Kishan to lead experienced East Zone squad
Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan will captain an East Zone side that blends experienced international cricketers with emerging talent. Veteran India pacer Mohammed Shami returns to the domestic circuit after missing international action since the 2025 Champions Trophy final. The 35-year-old featured for Bengal in the 2025-26 domestic season and also played 13 matches for the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026.
The squad also includes India fast bowler Mukesh Kumar, all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed, Jharkhand batter Virat Singh, wicketkeeper Kumar Kushagra, and spin all-rounder Anukul Roy, who impressed during India A’s successful tri-series campaign in Sri Lanka earlier this year.
Advertisement
Riyan Parag, Akash Deep miss out
East Zone will be without two prominent names, Riyan Parag and Akash Deep, both of whom continue their rehabilitation after undergoing surgeries. Parag is recovering from right shoulder surgery, while Akash Deep remains sidelined following back surgery. Neither player was considered for selection as they continue their recovery programmes.
East Zone Squad for Duleep Trophy 2026
Full Squad: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sudip Gharami, Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Suraj Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan (captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (vice-captain), Virat Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Shikhar Mohan, Subranshu Senapati, Abhijit Sarkar, Anukul Roy and Denish Das.
Standbyes: Ayush Loharuka, Sridam Paul, Sambit S Baral, Sharandeep Singh and Swastik Samal.
The Duleep Trophy, one of India’s premier first-class competitions, gets underway in Bengaluru on August 23.
The Philadelphia 76ers figure to be at or near the top of the Eastern Conference after a busy offseason that brought in Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, and a slew of others to join Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe on a talented roster. The Sixers now have one of the best rosters in the league and should be contending for a title in the upcoming season.
That doesn’t mean it will be a walk in the park. The East is tough with a number of teams that have the talent to reach the finals. The New York Knicks are the defending champs. The Detroit Pistons won 60 games. The Indiana Pacers are getting Tyrese Haliburton back from injury. The Miami Heat have Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. The Toronto Raptors acquired Kawhi Leonard and so on, and so on.
Advertisement
With that being said, the Sixers should still be at the top of the East. However, when asking former champion Jason Williams, he isn’t buying the Sixers:
The Knicks are going to be better. Miami is going to be better. Orlando Magic will finish higher than the Sixers…Atlanta will finish higher.
Please be advised that the clip below contains language that some might consider offensive.
One has to wonder if Williams is just trolling, but he does have a point about a team like the Knicks, for example. That’s a team that has been together through all of the playoff wars and just won a championship. The Sixers will have to eventually match up with them in terms of chemistry and such.
However, the Magic is a big stretch. Orlando has a ton of talent led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, and have a new coach in Sean Sweeney, but that duo has yet to really figure it out. They probably have more chemistry, but the Sixers are the supremely talented team. It’s hard to really envision the Magic finishing ahead of the Sixers in the 2026-27 season.
Advertisement
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Former NBA champion has Magic, other teams finishing ahead of Sixers
MLB Highlights (July 29)
FIFA said Tuesday it plans to sell a stake in the business operations of the World Cup and its other competitions through the creation of a semi-private subsidiary. The decision marks a dramatic attempt to reshape the commercial landscape of global football, while opening a new front in a long-running battle with Europe for control over the massive wealth generated by the sport.
MIN O-Line Gets Nice Boost as Vikings’ Star Left Tackle Said to be Fully Ready
Scrap Pinball Parts Become Beautiful Wall Art
US stocks: US market closes down sharply after Fed holds rates unchanged
-
Fashion5 days agoWeekend Open Thread: Brooks Brothers
-
Sports3 days agoCommonwealth Games boxing: Jadumani Singh seals dominant 5-0 win over Pakistan’s Sumama Rehman to enter quarter-finals | Commonwealth Games News
-
Tech3 days agoIntel is reversing course and bringing hyper-threading back to its server chips
-
Crypto World7 days agoEthics, other provisions in crypto Clarity Act to be further discussed
-
Politics2 days agoLuke Littler dismantles Gerwyn Price to retain title in Blackpool
-
Crypto World4 days agoRipple bought a bank in pieces. The $4 billion audit
-
Entertainment5 days agoA New Post-Apocalyptic Gundam Anime Series Blasts Into SDCC
-
News Videos3 days agoBITCOIN JUST ENTERED THIS CRITICAL ZONE…
-
Politics2 days agoThe Part of the Electric Transition Nobody Wants to Discuss
-
Sports6 days ago2026 3M Open leaderboard: Scottie Scheffler finds putter in Round 1, sits three back
-
Fashion6 days ago16 Dresses for the High Summer Event
-
News Videos6 days agoThe Peugeot Family: How 200 Years of an “Old Money” Dynasty Died in A Boardroom
-
Business16 hours agoMajor shareholder moves on Canyon
-
Crypto World4 days agoXRP Ledger adds $2.6B as RWA inflows rank second
-
Politics3 days agoSpain sweeps the board at 2026 World Cup with individual awards
-
Crypto World6 days agoUniswap (UNI) pushes deeper into tokenized RWAs with permissioned trading pools
-
Entertainment1 day ago‘Stargate’ Creator’s New Sci-Fi Series Returns for Season 3 Tomorrow
-
Crypto World7 days ago
SEC Agrees to Overhaul Recordkeeping After Settling Coinbase Lawsuit Over Gensler’s Lost Texts
-
Tech5 days agoAnthropic launches Claude Opus 5, a cheaper AI model for coding, agents and enterprise workflows
-
Entertainment4 days agoSara Gilson Killed By Husband After Viral “Pedophile” TikTok Video
You must be logged in to post a comment Login