Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson walks off the field after a road matchup against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 22, 2024, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Jackson and the Ravens earned a key early-season victory in the NFC venue as Baltimore continued its push in the AFC race. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The NFL schedule has been released, the Minnesota Vikings now know the order of their opponents in 2026, and all eyes have turned to the summer. So, let’s take a look at the first batch of rumors for the weekend.
Minnesota’s rumor mill is already busy before camp.
This week focuses on a trade, MVP stakes, and the 1st-Round rookie’s debut.
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Three Vikings Angles Begin Taking Shape before June & July
The Purple Rumor Mill for May 16th, 2026.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson warms up before a Christmas Day matchup against the Houston Texans on Dec. 25, 2024, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Jackson entered the nationally televised showdown as an MVP frontrunner while Baltimore continued battling for AFC playoff positioning late in the regular season under head coach John Harbaugh. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Rumor: The Vikings could be a team in the Lamar Jackson trade sweepstakes if his contract extension talks get messy in Baltimore.
One of Jason La Canfora’s (SI.com) sources, an NFL agent, recently said to him about Jackson’s contract situation, “A trade demand would absolutely be on the table if I was advising Lamar. I’m not coming in with it, but I’m coming in with a very firm hand, and I’m not putting up with any of their bullsh!t. And if it’s not done before training camp, we’re done talking.”
“It’s pretty simple – and Lamar did a great job with this before, although the right agent could have earned that 1.5% commission and got it done sooner. You are giving us a significant increase on the Dak Prescott deal. That’s not even a discussion. We are asking for 100% guarantees again, and not wavering … And, yes, we are absolutely willing to play that trade-demand card.”
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That intel implies a Jackson trade sweepstakes could accumulate steam this summer.
In unison with La Canfora’s findings, Fansided’s Alicia de Artola predicted theoretical trade landing spots for Jackson, and fairly unsurprisingly, the Vikings showed up as a destination.
She wrote, “The Minnesota Vikings signed Kyler Murray to a one-year deal and look all set to continue their pattern of letting Kevin O’Connell work his magic on a distressed asset.”
“Murray isn’t Jackson though. Instead of restoring a piece of furniture they found in a back alley, Minnesota could try bringing in an actual star and reopening their Super Bowl window. O’Connell is too good a head coach to let the Vikings slip into one of the draft slots that could give them a franchise QB.”
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The Vikings probably won’t trade for Jackson, but the theory is out there in the open.
de Arotla added, “Going out and getting him a readymade one could actually give the team the boost they need to contend. If I’m Jackson, I’m looking at the Vikings and salivating. A QB whisperer like O’Connell?”
“A receiving corps led by Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison? Sign me up. Would the Vikings actually bite? Well, they have to actually hire a GM first, so Jackson may have to keep dreaming.”
If anything regarding Jackson to Minnesota occurs, it would probably be a topic for the 2027 offseason — not now.
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Rumor: Kyler Murray is an early MVP candidate for 2026.
Bleacher Report‘s Moe Moton analyzed seven players who could grab the MVP award for the first time, and Murray got a shoutout. Moton explained, “Despite Kyler Murray’s recent struggles on the field and with injuries, he’s a talented two-time Pro Bowler who could be one of the league’s best in the right situation. Still in his prime, the 28-year-old could benefit from a change of scenery.”
“With the Minnesota Vikings, Murray will play with two-time All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson, a solid No. 2 receiver in Jordan Addison and reliable pass-catching tight end T.J. Hockenson. Moreover, head coach Kevin O’Connell has fielded a top-six passing offense in three of the previous four years. Murray could flourish with the Vikings’ supporting cast on a team that competes for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.”
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray surveys the field before a preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Aug. 8, 2019, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The former No. 1 overall pick entered his rookie campaign carrying major expectations as the Cardinals transitioned into a new offensive era around his skill set. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Murray currently has +7500 odds to win MVP, in between Jaxson Dart (+7000, NYG) and Cam Ward (+8,000, TEN).
An MVP award is possible for Murray, but Comeback Player of the Year might be more likely.
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Rumor: The Vikings expect DT Caleb Banks to be ready to go by training camp.
O’Connell on Banks at minicamp: “Caleb is doing great. Got some more positive information here as he reported to Eagan in the last couple days, and very much looking forward to him establishing a great plan with our medical staff and the coaching staff.”
“On the coaching staff side, how can we push Caleb from an above-the-neck standpoint to be that much more comfortable when he does get healthy? He gets a great chance this spring and summer to get strong and build himself up.”
The Banks draft pick utterly stunned the NFL audience; most thought Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman would be the pick.
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Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks participates in a position drill during spring football practice on April 1, 2023, at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. Banks later emerged as one of Florida’s notable defensive contributors after transferring from Louisville and developing into a disruptive interior presence. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Gainesville Sun
O’Connell added, “With Caleb, he doesn’t necessarily have to worry about the physical side of it right now, other than just getting healthy. So we can hopefully challenge him to learn multiple spots that coincide with his versatility to align in different impactful spots along the D-line.”
“I just think we’re happy with where he’s at, all things considered. We want to have our eyes on that end-of-July date so he can hopefully have a seamless transition into training camp.”
As an early go-live date for Banks, circle the start of training camp.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 04: Sir David Beckham, Co-owner of Inter Miami CF, speaks prior to the MLS match between Inter Miami CF and Austin FC at Nu Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
David Beckham and Victoria Beckham have officially reached billionaire status, making Beckham the UK’s first billionaire sportsman.
A major part of the growth in Beckham’s fortune has come from his stake in Inter Miami CF, whose value has exploded since the arrival of Lionel Messi.
Inter Miami’s recent success, combined with commercial growth around the club, has pushed its valuation to around $1.45 billion.
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Beckham also earns heavily through endorsement deals with brands like Adidas and Hugo Boss.
Meanwhile, Victoria Beckham’s fashion business reportedly generated more than £100 million in revenue last year, adding further strength to the family empire.
Many fans online pointed back to Beckham’s 2007 move to LA Galaxy, which included business rights that later helped him launch Inter Miami, a decision now being viewed as one of the smartest financial moves ever made by a footballer.
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The Beckham family is now second only to the family of Bernie Ecclestone among the biggest fortunes connected to British sport.
The month of May at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is all about speed, nerves and history. This weekend, INDYCAR’s biggest stars will push their cars to the limit in qualifying for the 2026 Indy 500.
Drivers will battle for pole position across two days of qualifying action. With speeds expected to top 230 mph as teams chase a spot in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Here’s everything you need to know about Indy 500 qualifying, including the TV schedule, streaming information and format.
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How to Watch Indy 500 Qualifying
Dates: Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17
Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, IN
Firestone Fast Six: 6:35 p.m. to 6:55 p.m. ET (FOX)
How Does Indy 500 Qualifying Work?
Drivers will get to practice Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week, with drivers getting the extra boost Friday to prepare for qualifying. There will be a draw for qualifying order after practice Friday.
On Saturday, each driver can do the four-lap run in the order from the qualifying draw. A driver does not have to post a time but typically the driver goes out and posts a speed.
Once all the cars have had a chance to qualify, there will be two lines for qualifying:
A priority line for any drivers who have not qualified or withdrawn their qualifying time.
A secondary line for any driver who has not withdrawn the qualifying time.
Those in the priority line get to go out before anyone in the secondary line. If a driver who has not withdrawn an earlier time is on a pace slower than that earlier time, INDYCAR can force them to end the run — so that no one can just do a slow run to prevent another driver from getting on track before qualifying ends at 5:50 p.m. ET on Saturday.
The top 15 drivers from Saturday advance to Sunday to determine their order in the lineup. The drivers 16th-33rd will start the Indianapolis 500 in that order. If there were more than 33 cars, the drivers 31st and worse would have to re-qualify Sunday to determine the final three spots.
Who Won the Indy 500 Pole Last Year?
Rookie Robert Shwartzman won the pole for the 2025 Indianapolis 500 with a four-lap average speed of 232.790 mph.
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When is the 2026 Indy 500?
The 2026 Indy 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on FOX and streaming on FOX One.
Coverage begins at 10 a.m. ET and the green flag drops at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Ravichandran Ashwin has raised serious questions over Punjab Kings’ decision to split their home matches across two venues in IPL 2026, suggesting the constant shift in conditions has played a major role in the franchise’s dramatic collapse during the second half of the season.Punjab started their campaign strongly and went unbeaten in seven consecutive matches before their momentum completely disappeared. The side has now suffered five defeats in a row, with two of those losses coming at Dharamsala, their secondary home venue. Ashwin believes the move away from Mullanpur disrupted the team’s rhythm at a crucial stage of the tournament.Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin pointed out that the IPL’s most successful franchises have always relied on stability by sticking to one primary home venue throughout the season.“Let me ask you a question. KKR, CSK, and MI, the three teams that have won the highest number of trophies-3, 5, and 5-out of the 19 seasons, they have won 13 trophies in total. SRH has won two (Deccan Chargers and SRH). Take it as 15. Have these teams ever changed their home venue?” Ashwin said in the video.The veteran spinner, who has previously represented Punjab in the IPL, said outside criticism often ignores the impact that changing venues can have on a side’s performances and preparation.“Look, we can say from the outside that Punjab aren’t doing well, but because I have personally been there, I know it is wrong. We won five matches in Mohali, then we changed venues and got knocked out of the tournament,” he added.Punjab Kings now find themselves under massive pressure heading into the business end of the league stage. The team must win both remaining fixtures to stay alive in the playoff race, but one of those matches is again scheduled to take place in Dharamsala.Ashwin believes the batting group has struggled to quickly adjust to the different nature of the surface at the hill venue, especially while batting first.“So, I am saying that, sure, Punjab have suffered consecutive defeats, but they are not playing in Mullanpur; they are playing in Dharamsala, where the wicket is not that good to bat first on. The ball stays a little low in the first half, so it will take time for them to adapt.”“Their batting order is scoring 30-40 runs fewer, or 20 runs fewer, because they have to adapt. We can all say that Punjab are struggling and have suffered five consecutive defeats, or that ‘this is what happens in Punjab’. No, they have played two of those games at a changed home venue,” he said.Ashwin also questioned the logic behind Punjab being one of the few franchises forced to alternate between venues during a season while established teams like Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad continue to enjoy the consistency of playing all home matches at one ground.
Which franchise has the best track record of performance with a consistent home venue?
For the third time in five years and fifth time since 2019, the Preakness Stakes will go without a true shot at a Triple Crown. This year’s Kentucky Derby winner, Golden Tempo, is skipping the Preakness Stakes 2026 to concentrate on the June 6 Belmont Stakes. It is the second consecutive year that the Derby winner has chosen to skip the Preakness. Last year, Sovereignty skipped it before going on to win the Belmont.
The last Triple Crown winner was Justify in 2018. Saturday’s race from Laurel Park in Laurel, Md., is scheduled to start at 6:50 p.m. ET. Iron Honor (9-2) enters as the favorite in the 2026 Preakness Stakes odds, with four other horses at 6-1 or lower. With so much to consider while making your 2026 Preakness Stakes picks, a little expert help can go a long way.
Since 1909, when the starting gate was introduced at the Preakness, a majority of the starters have come from gate No. 8 or lower. Gate No. 6 has the most winners with 17. That bodes well for Chip Honcho (5-1), who will be at gate No. 6 on Saturday. Rombauer in 2021 was the last horse to win from that post position.
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The last three Preakness winners have started at gate No. 5 or lower. Last year, Journalism won from gate No. 2. Seize the Grey was at post No. 5 in 2024, while National Treasure in 2023 was at post No. 1. Among gates 1-7, the No. 3 post has the longest drought with the last winner coming in 2014 when California Chrome was victorious.
Given all the history of the race, there’s a method to picking which horses to focus on for exacta, trifecta and superfecta bets in a Preakness Stakes like this, and SportsLine expert Jody Demling knows what it is. He can help you make the best 2026 Preakness Stakes picks possible.
A fixture in the horse racing world who has been writing about, talking about and betting on races for years, Demling hit the top three finishers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby in the correct order. He also called 11 of the last 21 Preakness winners, including 2023, when he hit the winner, exacta, trifecta and superfecta. He hit the trifecta in the 2024 Preakness Stakes and nailed Journalism as the 2025 Preakness winner. Anyone who has followed him on horse racing betting sites could be way up.
Now, with the 2026 Preakness Stakes post positions set and odds on the board, Demling is sharing his picks and 2026 Preakness Stakes betting predictions over at SportsLine. Go here to see them.
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Top 2026 Preakness Stakes expert picks
Here’s a refresher on these types of bets from SportsLine’s Jody Demling:
Preakness Stakes Exacta: Pick the first- and second-place finishers in the correct order. A $2 exacta returned $33.80 at the 2025 Preakness Stakes with Journalism and Gosger.
Preakness Stakes Trifecta: Pick the first-, second- and third-place finishers in the correct order. A $1 trifecta returned $73.50 at the 2025 Preakness Stakes with Journalism, Gosger and Sandman.
Preakness Stakes Superfecta: Pick the first-, second-, third- and fourth-place finishers in the correct order. A $1 superfecta returned a colossal $303.40 at the 2025 Preakness Stakes with Journalism, Gosger, Sandman and Goal Oriented.
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While Iron Honor is the 9-2 favorite, Demling is high on Napoleon Solo (8-1), despite the colt not being among the top five favorites. “The son of Liam’s Map will likely be near the front of the pack; he finished fifth in the Wood Memorial and is not without a shot to hit the board,” Demling told SportsLine. He is also building his tickets around an epic double-digit longshot “with a chance” to win it all”, spicing up his 2026 Preakness Stakes exotics. You can see his picks here.
Demling has specific recommendations for exacta, trifecta and superfecta wagers so you can cover all your bases at the Preakness Stakes 2026. He’s sharing them over at SportsLine.
When considering in-ring advantages, however, it must be said that former world title challenger Hrgovic has his man outgunned in most departments.
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The 33-year-old’s last outing saw him unanimously outpoint David Adeleye in August, albeit after a prickly 8th round where he appeared to be in some degree of trouble.
Nevertheless, he proved to be a level above the former British champion, who many would regard as a strong favourite to defeat Allen.
‘The White Rhino’ has drastically turned his career around since suffering a sixth-round stoppage defeat to Frazer Clarke in 2023.
This resurgence saw him lose a controversial split decision to Johnny Fisher the following year, before winning their rematch by fifth-round stoppage.
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But still, there is no escaping the fact that Allen has always lost to tougher opponents, hence why he was handed a unanimous decision defeat against Arslanbek Makhmudov last October.
For this reason, legendary trainer Atlas has said on his YouTube channel that the 34-year-old can hardly hope for much more than a few competitive rounds with Hrgovic.
“I love Allen; he’s Rocky-esque. He keeps trying; he can punch; he’s tough as hell; he’s got a good chin; he comes in the front door all night long. He’s trying to back you down; he’s trying to trap you in the corner.
“He’ll have his moments, but he’s always come up short at the next level. It’s that simple. Hrgovic is just that next level of class, and I think [Allen] comes up short at that level.
“I think [Hrgovic will] look to keep the shorter Allen at the end of his jab and catch him coming in. He’ll look to do damage.”
Jake Paul’s claim to have found $200m, specifically for a potential clash with Canelo Alvarez, has triggered a direct response from the Mexican great.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer was set to collide with Canelo in May 2025, only for Turki Alalshikh to step in and sign the then-super-middleweight king to a multi-fight deal.
With Crawford having since announced his retirement and vacated the belts, however, Canelo is set to enter a world title fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this September.
Yet despite this plan, Paul seems to be attempting to revisit his showdown with the 35-year-old, insisting that a $200m purse remains up for grabs.
The 29-year-old revealed this information via a live stream earlier this week, suggesting that it is the “biggest fight” in boxing.
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“Canelo, I have the $200m for you. Easy money. Jake Paul vs Canelo – let’s get it done. This is what the fans have been waiting for; this is the biggest fight that can possibly be made in boxing. I think that’s going to be the next fight.”
Jake Paul just said Canelo Alvarez will be his next fight and he’s paying him $200M 🤯
“This is the biggest fight that can be made in boxing. Jake Paul vs Canelo. Official.” pic.twitter.com/QJRLuPjO9r
Gunther had two decisions to make on “Friday Night SmackDown.”
After he failed to sign a contract with SmackDown, the favor he wanted from Paul Heyman appeared to come to fruition. Heyman got Gunther a match at Clash in Italy for Cody Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Championship.
Heyman put the onus on Rhodes – the face of the blue brand – to make Gunther sign the contracts. Rhodes got to the ring and setup the tables and chairs himself as he awaited Gunther to come to the ring.
Wrestler Gunther makes his entrance during SmackDown at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C., on May 15, 2026.(Rich Wade/WWE)
Gunther was upset that Rhodes allegedly impeded on Gunther’s “strategic planning” that went into signing with SmackDown. He said Rhodes made his arrival to SmackDown all about himself.
“Just like a typical American. I shouldn’t be surprised. I see it on your neck every week,” the 6-foot-4 Austrian said of Rhodes’ neck tattoo. “When the attention is not on you, you cry, you complain and you find a way to make it all about yourself. But not like me. This is my deal. This is my title match. This will be my title. So, golden boy, all I want you to do is be professional, address me nicely and don’t forget to say please. It’s very simple.”
Rhodes reminded that Gunther “got the drop” on him and that he got Heyman to do a favor for him.
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“Yes, I’m the one with the U.S. flag on the side of my neck, sure, but you’re the one who’s making it weird,” Rhodes responded. “So, here’s the thing, I’m going to make it simple. This is the contract right here. It’s in this ring. That’s where you need to be and you need to sign it. You want me to say please? Sure, please come to this ring, sign this contract so that you’re guaranteed to get your a– kicked at Clash in Italy.”
Royce Keys interrupted the segment and told Gunther that if he wouldn’t sign the contract, he would. Keys marched to the ring and was about to sign the contract before Gunther took the pen away.
SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis said Gunther “over played” his hand and that he wasn’t guaranteed a shot anymore. Aldis made a match between Gunther and Keys for later in the night.
Keys went into the match still with Solo Sikoa in his ear trying to get him to join forces with him, Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga. With Sikoa possibly in his head and later on the outside of the ring in his corner, he came into the SmackDown main event looking to leap to the top of the championship ladder.
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Gunther gave everything Keys could handle, but couldn’t keep the big man down. Keys showed why he was a force to be reckoned with. However, Keys just couldn’t get a pin on him.
When the referee went down, Sikoa slid a chair in and tried to goad Keys into using it. Keys threw it back at Sikoa. It was the distraction that Gunther needed. The ref got back up, Gunther powerbombed Keys and pinned him for the win.
Cody Rhodes stands over Gunther during SmackDown at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C., on May 15, 2026.(Rich Wade/WWE)
Rhodes attacked Gunther from behind as the “Career Killer” was celebrating the victory.
Carmelo Hayes, Ricky Saints showcase future of SmackDown
Carmelo Hayes and Ricky Saints represent the future of SmackDown and the two were in action during the night as they both looked to emerge as contenders for the United States Championship.
Hayes, a former U.S. champion himself, was making his first appearance in the ring since April 3 when he lost his rematch for the title against Sami Zayn. Hayes didn’t appear to show any sort of ring rust as he took the attack to Saints early.
But Saints, the savvy former NXT and North American champion, got his opportunity to slow down the match and take it to Hayes. He showboated his way through the match as he hit dropkicks, suplexes, chops and more to wear down Hayes.
Ricky Saints makes his entrance during SmackDown at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C., on May 15, 2026.(Rich Wade/WWE)
Hayes avoided a superplex attempt and turned the tables on Saints, hitting a frog splash. He only picked up a two count. The two men were staggered and stunned as they hoped for the win. Saints even broke out a high-angled driver, but only got a two count.
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Saints was surviving everything Hayes was giving him. After Saints kicked out of the First 48, he hit a Revolution DDT on Hayes, but again, only got a two count. Saints tried to cheat to get the win, but referee Charles Robinson caught him and stopped his count.
As Saints argued with Robinson, Hayes rolled up Saints and used the ropes for leverage to get the pin. Robinson didn’t see the move and Hayes got the win.
Iron Honor enters the 2026 Preakness Stakes as the 9-2 favorite. That bodes well for the Chad C. Brown-trained colt as the favorite has won 74 of the previous 150 Preakness Stakes races. The last favorite to win was Journalism in 2025. It snapped a six-year drought where the favorite did not win.
A fixture in the horse racing world who has been writing about, talking about and betting on races for years, Demling hit the top three finishers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby in the correct order. He also called 11 of the last 21 Preakness winners, including 2023, when he hit the winner, exacta, trifecta and superfecta. He hit the trifecta in the 2024 Preakness Stakes and nailed Journalism as the 2025 Preakness winner. Anyone who has followed him on horse racing betting sites could be way up.
Now, with the 2026 Preakness Stakes field now set, Demling is sharing his 2026 Preakness Stakes betting picks and 2026 Preakness Stakes predictions over at SportsLine. Go to SportsLine to see them.
Top 2026 Preakness Stakes predictions
One of Demling’s surprising 2026 Preakness Stakes picks: Demling is high on Napoleon Solo (8-1). Despite having the sixth-best odds to win and running from post No. 10, Demling likes what he sees from the Chad Summers-trained colt in a wide open Preakness field. The last horse to leave from post No. 10 and win the Preakness was Real Quiet in 1998.
Napoleon Solo, who won his first two races, is coming off back-to-back fifth-place finishes. On April 4, he took fifth at the dirt-fast 2026 Wood Memorial. He was also fifth at the 2026 Fountain of Youth this past February. His wins were at the MSW race at Saratoga in August, and at the 1-mile 2025 Champagne G1 at Aqueduct Racetrack in October. See which other horses to back at SportsLine.
Another surprise: Demling is fading Chip Honcho (5-1). Despite Chip Honcho running from post No. 6, which has the most Preakness winners with 17, Demling has concerns with the Steven M. Asmussen-trained colt. Demling sees Chip Honcho trending poorly and sees better value elsewhere.
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After posting two wins to end 2025, including the Gun Runner in December, he has not fared as well. He placed fourth at the 2026 Lecomte in January. After bouncing back and taking second at the 2026 Risen Star in February, he dipped to fifth at the 2026 Louisiana Derby in March. He has not raced since. See which other horses to fade at SportsLine.
Athena has been one of the most dominant champions across pro wrestling and that dominance continued on Friday night at Ring of Honor’s Supercard of Honor.
The Ring of Honor Women’s World Championship was up for grabs in a Survival of the Fittest six-way match. Athena had to outlast Billie Starkz, Maya World, Trish Adora, Yuka Sakazaki and Zayda Steel. Chairs, ladders and other foreign objects would enter the match through the night.
Athena enters the ring during the women’s pro-wrestling event Stardom at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on Jan. 13, 2025.(Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
While Athena eliminated Steel early, putting down the rest of her opponents was not an easy task. Athena found herself in a precarious position. Competitors stacked chairs on top of each other and Adora made use of them. She chokeslammed Athena through them during the match.
Sakazaki even tried her best to keep Athena down.
Athena was laid out on a table. Instead of going to the top turnbuckle to hit a splash, Sakazaki springboarded herself off the top rope in the middle of the ring and hit the Magical Girl Splash onto Athena and through the table.
Athena needed to go nearly 10-feet up onto a ladder. She flipped off it and hit World with the O-Face. She then pinned World, completing the final elimination.
Athena has now eclipsed 1,253 days as the Ring of Honor women’s world champion.
She told Fightful earlier in the week that her goal was to surpass Bruno Sammartino’s reign as champion. The legendary pro wrestler held the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship for 2,803 days at the height of his career.
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“Hey man, when we get to Supercard of Honor this week and I beat the epic Roman Reigns’ last championship run, I just want you to know that I’m gonna be so petty,” she said. “I want everyone to know that we are gonna have the pettiest celebration ever. We’re gonna have kittens, green apple skittles, whiskey, tequila, you name it. … But we are just gonna have a big smorgasbord of a party. We’re gonna have a cookout. It’s gonna be amazing.
“But like I said before, my goal is Bruno Sammartino. Seven years, baby, seven years. But you know what, when you’re ‘forever champion,’ what’s years? What’s years? A lot of people think that might be getting ahead of myself. But at the end of the day, I’ve been champion for over—what is it 1,250 days or something like that? I don’t see this anytime soon.
Athena enters the ring during the women’s pro-wrestling event Stardom at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on Jan. 13, 2025.(Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
“Hell, all these girls that are in this match think that they’ve learned something by experiencing Athena, but I’m ever changing, ever evolving. That’s just the way I’ve always been and there’s not gonna be a harder worker than me. As I’ve said before and I’ll say it again, no man can touch my reign, no woman can live up to my legacy. I am the forever Ring of Honor Women’s World Champion. It’s about time y’all get over it.”
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It’s clear that the “Forever Champion” is focused on being just that.
Supercard of Honor results
Bandido and Ryusuke Taguchi compete in a bout during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling ‘Best of Super Jr.’ at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on May 24, 2019.(Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
Sammy Guevara def. Action Andretti.
Rush def. LSG.
Mina Shirakawa and Queen Aminata def. Janai Kai and Lacey Lane.
Dezmond Xaver and Myron Reed def. Ariya Daivari and Tony Nese.
Nigel McGuiness def. Josh Woods.
Red Velvet def. Viva Van to retain the Ring of Honor Women’s World TV Championship.
AR Fox def. Lio Rush to retain the Ring of Honor World TV Championship.
Deonna Purrazzo def. Diamante to retain the Ring of Honor Women’s Pure Championship.
Lee Moriarty def. Ace Austin to retain the Ring of Honor Pure Championship.
Dalton Castle, Truth Magnum, Turbo Floyd def. Carlie Bravo, Shane Taylor and Shawn Dean to win the Ring of Honor Six Man Tag Team Championship.
Arbeloa has also faced criticism from France striker Kylian Mbappe after he was left out of the starting line-up for Los Blancos’ 2-0 win over Real Oviedo.
Mbappe had missed his side’s two previous games, including last weekend’s El Clasico which Barcelona won to secure the league title, with a thigh injury and was whistled by his own fans when he came on.
The World Cup winner has faced scrutiny over his commitment to the club in recent weeks while an online petition calling for ‘Mbappe Out’ attracted tens of millions of signatures.
But the manager played down the incident on Saturday.
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“I’ve just bumped into him, I told him to stay calm. I understand that these kinds of things make headlines, but it’s something much more normal than you think,” Arbeloa said.
“I used to be a player, I know what they can feel in these situations – playing every day, then playing less or not at all.
“I totally understand that Kylian wasn’t happy about not playing on Thursday, and I like that.
“I wouldn’t understand it if he didn’t want to play. My relationship with him remains the same.”
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