Connect with us
DAPA Banner
DAPA Coin
DAPA
COIN PAYMENT ASSET
PRIVACY · BLOCKDAG · HOMOMORPHIC ENCRYPTION · RUST
ElGamal Encrypted MINE DAPA
🚫 GENESIS SOLD OUT
DAPAPAY COMING

Sports

The Vikings’ Roster Has 34 New Faces

Published

on

Advertisement

Jakobe Thomas lies on the field after an injury during a Miami game against SMU.
Miami Hurricanes defensive back Jakobe Thomas remains on the field after suffering an injury during second-quarter action against the SMU Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. On Nov. 1, 2025, Thomas was hurt following a defensive stop as Miami’s defense battled through a physical road matchup in Dallas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images.

It’s not unusual by any stretch of the imagination, but the Minnesota Vikings’ roster will feature about three dozen newcomers in 2026, joining the club from free agency, the draft, and undrafted free agency.

Six free agents. Nine draft picks. Nineteen undrafted rookies.

The club has 90 players on the depth chart right now, a number that will be shaved to 53 in late August.

Advertisement

Minnesota’s Newcomers Stretch across Every Roster Lane

Get to know the newcomers.

James Pierre celebrates an interception during a Steelers game against the Browns at Acrisure Stadium. Vikings roster
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre reacts after recording an interception during fourth-quarter action against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Dec. 8, 2024. Pierre helped swing momentum late in the divisional matchup as the Steelers defense tightened in crunch time, celebrating the takeaway while teammates quickly gathered around him following the pivotal turnover. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images.

From Free Agency (6)

Newcomers:
Johnny Hekker (P)
Jauan Jennings (WR)
Eric Johnson (DT)
Kyler Murray (QB)
James Pierre (CB)
Ryan Van Demark (OT)

Murray obviously takes the cake here; he’s a two-time Pro Bowler with a better career-long EPA+CPOE than Baker Mayfield, Trevor Lawrence, and Daniel Jones, among others. He instantly makes the Vikings a playoff contender, showcasing no real weaknesses aside from his 5’10” height.

Advertisement

Jennings signed on Thursday night, a cake-topper of the offseason. He’s the new WR3, replacing Jalen Nailor, who bolted for the Las Vegas Raiders in March. The new punter, Hekker, was once the best in football 8-10 years ago; now, he’ll hope to stay off a rookie from the third section of this article.

Pierre is Minnesota’s new CB3, a replacement for Jeff Okudah, who hasn’t signed anywhere in 2026. Van Demark is offensive tackle insurance in case something happens to Christian Darrisaw or Brian O’Neill. Johnson, a defensive tackle, is a roster-bubble guy who may or may not make the 53-man depth chart in August.

From The Draft (9)

Newcomers:
Caleb Banks (DT) | Florida, Round 1
Jake Golday (LB) | Cincinnati, Round 2
Domonique Orange (DT) | Iowa State, Round 3
Caleb Tiernan (OT) | Northwestern, Round 3
Jakobe Thomas (S) | Miami, Round 3
Max Bredeson (TE) | Michigan, Round 5
Charles Demmings (CB) | Stephen F. Austin, Round 5
Demond Claiborne (RB) | Wake Forest, Round 6
Gavin Gerhardt (C) | Cincinnati, Round 7

Advertisement

Banks will define this class — no matter what. If he hits, to the tune of his All-Pro ceiling, the group can almost do no wrong. Golday arrives as an Andrew Van Ginkel-like defensive weapon, the first inside linebacker drafted by the Vikings in the first two rounds since Eric Kendricks in 2015.

Max Bredeson looks on during Michigan practice before the national championship game in Houston. Vikings roster
Michigan Wolverines tight end Max Bredeson watches practice before the College Football Playoff national championship game against the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium in Houston on Jan. 6, 2024. Bredeson carved out a valuable role in Michigan’s offense with his blocking ability, toughness, and versatility during the Wolverines’ championship run under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

Oragne is a nose tackle, and the Vikings haven’t had a pure version of one of those in eons. Tiernan is an offensive tackle, youth in the pipeline next to Darrisaw and O’Neill. Harrison Smith hasn’t resigned yet, and if he does not, Thomas will get a look as his replacement.

Bredeson is the new C.J. Ham; fans will love him. Demmings is a scrappy cornerback who could break out because Minnesota hasn’t drafted a corner with staying power since Xavier Rhodes — 13 years ago.

The new running back, Claiborne, will be something in the neighborhood of Nyheim Hines, Jerick McKinnon, or De’Von Achane, based on his size and play style. Gerhardt is a longshot bid for the Vikings’ center of the future.

From Undrafted Free Agency (19)

Advertisement

Newcomers:
Marcus Allen (CB) | North Carolina
Da’Veawn Armstead (CB) | North Texas
Dillon Bell (WR) | Georgia
Jordan Botelho (OLB) | Notre Dame
Tyreek Chappell (CB) | Texas A&M
Monkell Goodwine (DL) | South Carolina
Shaleak Knotts (WR) | Maryland
Keli Lawson (LB) | Central Florida
Tristan Leigh (OL) | Clemson
Delby Lemieux (OL) | Dartmouth
Kejon Owens (RB) | Florida International
Tomas Rimac (OL) | Virginia Tech
Marcus Sanders (WR) | Georgia Southern
Cam’Ron Stewart (OLB) | Temple
Jacob Thomas (S) | James Madison
Brett Thorson (P) | Georgia
Arden Walker (OLB) | Colorado
Scooby Williams (LB) | Texas A&M
Luke Wysong (WR) | Arizona

This list is obviously huge, and most of these men won’t latch on to the Vikings’ roster or anywhere in the NFL when it’s all said and done. Still, it’s important to note that wide receiver Dillon Bell could score a roster spot or practice squad invitation in late August.

Cam’Ron Stewart has some fans, and he’s 24, so he should be more game-ready than most. Jacob Thomas may be a dark horse of the practice squad. And most expect Brett Thorson to have an honest-to-goodness punter battle with Johnny Hekker this summer.

Brett Thorson punts the football during drills at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Vikings roster
Georgia punter Brett Thorson kicks the football during drills at the NFL Scouting Combine inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Feb. 25, 2026. Thorson entered the pre-draft process after building a reputation at Georgia for consistency, hang time, and field-position control while handling punting duties for one of college football’s premier programs. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

DawgNation‘s Connor Riley on Thorson, “Thorson won the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter and now he’ll be playing in the NFL. Thorson was a four-year starter at the University of Georgia. Thorson was one of the best punters in the country throughout his entire career, consistently pinning teams back deep.”

“He did suffer a knee injury that required surgery in December of 2024. Thorson missed the first game of the 2025 season but returned to play in Georgia’s final 13 games in 2025. He was named a First Team All-American for his play last season.”

Advertisement

The Vikings have a rich recent history of empowering undrafted free agents. You can’t rule out players from the list without some summer diligence.


avatar
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

Kristoffer Reitan’s unexpected Truist win summed up his pro golf journey

Published

on

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Fantasy baseball Week 8 hitters: Sleepers, waiver targets and best matchups

Published

on

jac-caglianone.jpg

Whether you’re in need of an injury fill-in or just a hot-hand play, Scott White has you covered with 10 sleeper hitters for the upcoming scoring period, all rostered in less than 80 percent of CBS Sports leagues. They’re not must-starts by any estimation, but they’re often the best you’ll find off the waiver wire.

All information is up to date as of Sunday evening.

Sleeper hitters for Week 8 (May 11-17)

Best hitter matchups for Week 8

1. Mariners @HOU4, SD3
2. Diamondbacks @TEX3, @COL3
3. Royals @CHW3, @STL3
4. Athletics STL3, SF3
5. Nationals @CIN3, BAL3

Advertisement

Worst hitter matchups for Week 8

1. Padres @MIL3, @SEA3
2. Phillies @BOS3, @PIT3
3. Astros SEA4, TEX3
4. Tigers @NYM3, TOR3
5. Twins MIA3, MIL3

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Sungjae Im’s chaotic two-hole stretch includes wild bunker ricochet

Published

on

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Barcelona Clinch 29th La Liga Title With Dominant Victory Over Real Madrid In El Clasico

Published

on




Barcelona secured their 29th Spanish league title after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in El Clasico on Sunday. Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres struck in the first half to help Hansi Flick’s side clinch La Liga in consecutive years, while consigning Madrid to a trophyless season. Barca moved an unassailable 14 points clear of second-place Los Blancos with three matches remaining. This was only the second time the outcome of La Liga has been decided directly by the result of a Clasico, with record 36-time champions Real Madrid winning their first title in 1932 after a draw with Barca.

Madrid arrived at the match embroiled in chaos, after midfielder Fede Valverde was ruled out with a head injury following a training ground bust-up with team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni, who started.

Barca coach Flick received bad news before the game, with his father passing away, but took his place on the touchline regardless, to oversee his side’s comfortable triumph.

Advertisement

The German opted for the energetic Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, on the right wing in place of injured teenage star Lamine Yamal.

The Catalans, who only needed to avoid defeat, came out with their eyes firmly locked on the prize, racing into a two-goal lead inside 18 minutes.

Rashford opened the scoring with a superb free-kick, whipping the ball into the top left corner from a position 20 yards out, right of centre.

Torres doubled the hosts’ advantage at a jubilant Camp Nou, the 62,000-strong crowd enjoying the first Clasico back there since the stadium was reopened.

Advertisement

Dani Olmo produced a clever backheel to allow Torres to burst into the box and ram past Thibaut Courtois.

Gonzalo Garcia, playing in place of injured Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe, prodded narrowly wide after racing in behind Barca’s high defensive line.

– Stem the bleeding –

Urged on by coach Alvaro Arbeloa on the touchline, unlikely to be at the helm next season, Madrid battled to stem the bleeding.

Advertisement

Rashford could have added a third before the break but fired wide, with Fermin Lopez unmarked and well placed to finish.

Torres should have struck early in the second half but Courtois saved from the Spain international as he ran through.

Jude Bellingham put the ball in Barcelona’s net but the goal was ruled out for offside, while Joan Garcia thwarted Vinicius Junior as Madrid threatened.

Barca fans batted inflatable beach balls around to taunt the Brazilian over his unfulfilled Ballon d’Or ambitions, and lapped up the party atmosphere.

Advertisement

Courtois saved from substitutes Raphinha, back after injury, and Robert Lewandowski as Madrid saw out the remainder of the match without taking further damage.

Flick’s side remain on course to match the record of 100 points in a league season and can win all their home matches if they defeat Real Betis in the one remaining.

Meanwhile Madrid finish a second consecutive season without a major trophy, staring down the barrel of a summer reshuffle, including former coach Jose Mourinho being linked with a potential return.

What is clear is that for now president Florentino Perez cannot seem to find the solution to end Flick’s Barca’s domestic domination.

Advertisement

rbs/lp

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)


Featured Video Of The Day


IPL 2026 News | RCB Outplay CSK For 2nd Win On Trot, Ruturaj Gaikwad & Co Suffer 3rd Loss

Advertisement

Topics mentioned in this article

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Blue Jays expected to recall Yariel Rodriguez on Monday

Published

on

Rodríguez is expected to be selected to the Blue Jays active roster on Monday, according to a report from Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi.

The 29-year-old right-hander was outrighted off Toronto’s 40-man roster in early December. The Blue Jays currently have an opening on their 40-man, but will need to make room on their active 26-man roster in order to activate Rodríguez.

After being outrighted, Rodríguez cleared waivers and reported to triple-A Buffalo after spending major-league spring training with the Blue Jays.

In 11 triple-A appearances this season, Rodríguez has posted a 2.63 ERA while recording 25 strikeouts and nine walks in 13.2 innings.

Advertisement

Rodríguez was one of Toronto’s most relied-upon relievers in 2025, posting a 3.08 ERA over 73 regular-season innings.

Despite the strong full-season totals, the six-foot right-hander struggled in the second half and post-season and threw just 2.2 innings for the Blue Jays in October.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Orioles spin 4-hitter to salvage finale against A’s

Published

on

MLB: Athletics at Baltimore OriolesMay 10, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Rico Garcia (50) and catcher Samuel Basallo (29) celebrate after defeating the Athletics at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

Dylan Beavers hit a go-ahead single in the sixth inning and four Baltimore pitchers combined on a 4-hitter for a 2-1 victory over the visiting Athletics on Sunday afternoon that avoided a series sweep.

Chris Bassitt (3-2) struck out six and allowed one run over six innings. Rico Garcia worked the ninth and earned his third save despite issuing a walk.

Beavers and Gunnar Henderson had two hits apiece for the Orioles, who snapped a three-game skid by winning for the third time in their last 11 games.

Athletics leadoff man Nick Kurtz extended his on-base streak to 34 games, the longest active mark in the majors, with an eighth-inning walk. Tyler Soderstrom had a double to highlight the team’s four hits.

Athletics starter Luis Severino (2-4) was charged with two runs on six hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out four.

Advertisement

The Athletics were aiming for their second four-game winning streak this season.

The Orioles used Keegan Akin for one shutout inning as an opener, then Bassitt came in and worked through the seventh. Bassitt scattered four hits and one walk.

Baltimore’s Anthony Nunez pitched the eighth before Garcia, who notched one strikeout, again served as the closer with Ryan Helsley on the injured list. Orioles pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts and four walks.

Advertisement

The Athletics, who wrapped up their six-game road trip atop the AL West, went up 1-0 on Carlos Cortes’ second-inning sacrifice fly.

Henderson’s run-scoring infield single brought the Orioles even in the third.

The Orioles loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth and didn’t convert. They stranded eight runners in the game.

But in the next inning, Beavers came through on a nine-pitch at-bat with a go-ahead single. That marked the end of Severino’s outing.

Advertisement

Athletics reliever Justin Sterner worked out of a bases-loaded jam by recording two strikeouts.

–Field Level Media

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Key to La Salle’s ‘Sweep 16’ was rookie setter

Published

on

Coach Ramil de Jesus and the La Salle Lady Spikers celebrate after winning the championship in the UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball tournament, beating NU Lady Bulldogs.Coach Ramil de Jesus and the La Salle Lady Spikers celebrate after winning the championship in the UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball tournament, beating NU Lady Bulldogs.

Coach Ramil de Jesus and the La Salle Lady Spikers celebrate after winning the championship in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament, beating NU Lady Bulldogs. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

It took a rookie setter to stitch together the talent in the La Salle roster and key the Lady Spikers’ return to glory in UAAP women’s volleyball.

“She was really the missing link for the team,” coach Ramil de Jesus said in praise of Eshana Nunag, who literally orchestrated a ‘Sweep 16’ season capped off by a 25-22, 25-16, 25-16 Game 2 ripping of National University on Saturday night before more than 22,500 screaming souls at the Mall of Asia Arena for the Lady Spikers’ 13th UAAP crown.

Article continues after this advertisement
Advertisement

“She (has) finally arrived,” De Jesus added of Nunag, a brilliant 5-foot-8 facilitator who successfully pulled off what Julia Coronel and Mikole Reyes couldn’t do ever since Mars Alba graduated as the Lady Spikers’ setter after Season 85. “There were just a few things I needed to correct to polish her game.”

And with Nunag being just 18 and if the core of the La Salle arsenal—Angel Canino and Shevana Laput–decides to play another year, then next year’s title defense will stand on solid footing.

“I was tough on her (during the off-season),” De Jesus continued, admitting that he saw a gem in Nunag. “The good thing is, little by little, she kept learning and improved her (game) that even against veterans, she never got overwhelmed.

“I’m really happy because as a rookie, she was able to help lead the team to a championship,” De Jesus said after becoming the winningest UAAP coach across all sports, overtaking the late great Baby Dalupan, who won 12 titles with the University of the East program.

Advertisement
Article continues after this advertisement

Nunag, who left the National U Nazareth School to go to La Salle in senior high, was just eager to learn from De Jesus and be of help in the Lady Spikers’ redemption tour.

Help from seniors

“I also stayed very focused on coach (De Jesus) because he corrected a lot of things in my game,” said Nunag in Filipino after dishing out 217 excellent sets in the title clincher. “I think a big factor was my willingness to accept all those corrections and the things I still needed to improve so I could help the team better.

“It also helped that I came here in senior high school (because) I was already being (integrated into) the system, so by the time I reached college and my first year, I was already familiar with how things worked,” she added.

Advertisement
Article continues after this advertisement

Nunag attributed her solid rookie year to Canino, Laput and Amie Provido, who made the job easier for her and helped her thrive under pressure by staying on the same page.

“I also wouldn’t have made it this far without the help of my older teammates. All of us worked hard for this, not just me,” she said. “I saw how much everyone improved compared to past seasons. I’m really thankful for their support and guidance.”

The learning curve is over for Nunag. And that makes her more dangerous moving forward.

Advertisement


Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

“It was my first UAAP season, I learned a lot and I know there’s still so much I can take with me into next year from playing against the other teams,” said Nunag. INQ

Advertisement


For the complete collegiate sports coverage including scores, schedules and stories, visit Inquirer Varsity.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

2026 Truist Championship prize money, purse, payouts for Kristoffer Reitan, field

Published

on

The sixth signature event of the 2026 PGA Tour season brought players back to Charlotte for the annual stop at Quail Hollow for the Truist Championship. The field of 72 players battled it out for their share of the $20 million purse with Kristoffer Reitan taking home $3.6 million for his first career PGA Tour victory.

While Scottie Scheffler was not in the field after three consecutive runner-up finishes, most of the rest of the PGA Tour’s best made the trip to North Carolina for the final tune-up before the PGA Championship. The last two signature event winners — Cameron Young at the Cadillac Championship and Matt Fitzpatrick at the RBC Heritage — were looking to double up on such winner’s checks. Rory McIlroy was seeking to prevail at his favorite Tour stop after taking three weeks off following his second Masters victory. 

In the end, though, it was Reitan — not qualified for signature events at the start of the season — who prevailed by draining a pair of clutch birdies on the back nine Sunday to win by two strokes over Rickie Fowler and Nicolai Hojgaard.

Here’s the full breakdown of how much prize money each spot will take home from Charlotte this week.

Advertisement

2026 Truist Championship prize money, payouts

Total purse: $20 million

1st: $3,600,000 — Kristoffer Reitan
2nd: $2,160,000 – Rickie Fowler, Nicolai Hojgaard
3rd: $1,360,000
4th: $960,000 — Alex Fitzpatrick
5th: $800,000 — Tommy Fleetwood, Sungjae Im, J.J. Spaun
6th: $720,000 
7th: $670,000
8th: $620,000 — Ludvig Åberg, Harry Hall
9th: $580,000
10th: $540,000 — Patrick Cantlay, Matt McCarty, Cameron Young
11th: $500,000
12th: $460,000
13th: $420,000 — Justin Thomas
14th: $380,000 — Min Woo Lee, Chris Gotterup, Nick Taylor
15th: $360,000
16th: $340,000
17th: $320,000 — Alex Smalley, Gary Woodland
18th: $300,000 
19th: $280,000 — Austin Smotherman, Rory McIlroy, Keegan Bradley, Sudarshan Yellamaraju, Kurt Kitayama
20th: $260,000
21st: $240,000
22nd: $223,000
23rd: $207,500
24th: $190,000 — Patrick Rodgers, Pierceson Coody, Adam Scott, Andrew Novak, Harris English, J.T. Poston, David Lipsky
25th: $175,000
26th: $159,000
27th: $152,500
28th: $146,000
29th: $140,000 
30th: $134,000
31st: $128,500 — Brian Harman, Viktor Hovland, Alex Noren, Tony Finau, Nico Echavarria, Corey Conners
32nd: $122,500
33rd: $116,500
34th: $111,000
35th: $106,500
36th: $101,500
37th: $96,500 — Sam Burns, Maverick McNealy, Akshay Bhatia, Taylor Pendrith, Matt Wallace, Andrew Putnam, Bud Cauley, Lucas Glover
38th: $92,500
39th: $88,500
40th: $84,000
41st: $80,000
42nd: $76,000
43rd: $72,000
44th: $68,000
45th: $64,000 — Justin Rose, Daniel Berger, Ryo Hisatsune
46th: $60,000
47th: $56,000
48th: $53,000 — Denny McCarthy, Aldrich Potgieter, Webb Simpson, Michael Kim
49th: $50,000
50th: $49,000
51st: $48,000
52nd: $47,000 — Mackenzie Hughes, Max Homa, Brian Campbell, Jhonattan Vegas, Matt Fitzpatrick, Chandler Blanchet, Jordan Spieth, Jacob Bridgeman
53rd: $46,000
54th: $46,000
55th: $45,500 
56th: $45,000
57th: $44,500
58th: $44,000 
59th: $43,500
60th: $43,000 — Xander Schauffele, Robert MacIntyre, Ricky Castillo
61st: $42,500
62nd: $42,000
63rd: $41,500 — Ben Griffin, Sepp Straka
64th: $41,000 
65th: $40,500 — Ryan Gerard, Si Woo Kim
66th: $40,000
67th: $39,500 — Ryan Fox
68th: $39,000 — Jason Day
69th: $38,000 — Sahith Theegala
70th: $37,500 — Sam Stevens
71st: $37,000 — Hideki Matsuyama
72nd: $36,000 — Tom Hoge

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

FC Barcelona Clinch Back-to-Back LaLiga Titles With Clásico Victory Over Real Madrid

Published

on

FC Barcelona have successfully defended their Spanish league title under coach Hansi Flick after a 2-0 victory over Real Madrid in the El Clásico on Sunday.

Early goals from Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres helped Barcelona secure the important win, which moved them 14 points ahead at the top of the table with only three matches left this season.

The match was emotional for Flick, who was on the touchline despite the recent death of his father. Both teams wore black armbands and observed a minute of silence before kickoff.

  • FC Barcelona have announced the appointment of Hansi Flick as their new head coach, succeeding Xavi Hernandez.FC Barcelona have announced the appointment of Hansi Flick as their new head coach, succeeding Xavi Hernandez.

Advertisement

Barcelona players and staff celebrated wildly after the final whistle at a packed Camp Nou as supporters marked another successful league campaign. Flick later described the squad as a “family” and thanked the fans for their support throughout the season.

It is the 29th league title in Barcelona’s history, with only Real Madrid winning more championships in Spain. Since replacing Xavi Hernández in 2024, Flick has now guided the club to league glory in both of his seasons in charge.

Barcelona have also won several domestic trophies during Flick’s time at the club, including the Spanish Super Cup twice and last season’s Copa del Rey.

Advertisement

The Catalan side also continued their impressive attacking record, scoring in 55 consecutive matches, one of the best runs in the club’s history.

Although Barcelona have dominated Spanish football, they have struggled in Europe. They were knocked out of the Champions League semi-finals by Inter Milan last season and later lost to Atlético Madrid in this year’s quarter-finals.

Barcelona’s title race was not straightforward. They were once five points behind Real Madrid earlier in the season after losing the first Clásico at the Bernabéu. However, Madrid’s poor run of results later allowed Barça to take control of the league race.

Real Madrid failed to recover after dropping points in several matches, while Barcelona went on a strong winning run to build a comfortable lead at the top of the table.

Advertisement

The defeat also means Real Madrid will finish the season without winning any major trophy for the second straight year.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

King Of Roseau takes out 2026 Takeover Target Stakes in thriller

Published

on

Three jockeys battle for the lead in a horse race, with a digital scoreboard behind them showing race details.

Leading conditioner Peter Snowden highlighted King Of Roseau’s tenacity and competitive spirit after the heart-stopping finish of the Listed $250,000 Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Gosford on Saturday.

“I could see the horse on his inside (Harry’s Yacht) making his run with King Of Roseau but I just felt he would find a way,” Snowden said.

“King Of Roseau is in a frame of mind where he just wants to win. He has always been a good sprinter but he’s gone to the next level this season.

“He’s won six of his last nine starts and he just keeps getting better.”

Advertisement

Under Kerrin McEvoy, King Of Roseau at $6 narrowly held off Harry’s Yacht ($5) in a prolonged straight fight, as Way To The Stars ($16) trailed by half a length in third after leading initially.

The $3.90 market elect Kerguelen for Godolphin failed to feature prominently and was only beaten by one at the post.

By securing this race, Snowden notched his third Takeover Target Stakes, previously won with Calanda (2018) and Emblems (2014), with the chestnut sustaining his seasonal rise.

A natural sprinter, King Of Roseau first tasted stakes success at four with the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap victory at Flemington.

Advertisement

His development persisted through summer with triumphs in the $2 million Magic Millions Cup and Group 3 Liverpool City Cup, leading into this first-up score.

Snowden indicated King Of Roseau’s excellent shape calls for Group 1 assignments, starting with the $1 million Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm on May 30, then the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) on June 13.

“I deliberately missed the Sydney autumn with King Of Roseau as he had a fair bit of travelling earlier in the season then went deep into summer winning at the Gold Coast and then back at Randwick,” Snowden said.

“So, I freshened him and decided to concentrate on the Brisbane carnival.

Advertisement

“He will go to the Kingsford Smith Cup next and 1300m is probably his best distance, then onto the Stradbroke Handicap.”

This campaign replicates the proven formula that propelled Think About It three years ago.

Think About It landed the Liverpool City Cup, freshened up, conquered the Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford, and proceeded to the Kingsford Smith Cup-Stradbroke double.

Subsequently that year, Think About It won the Premiere Stakes before stringing together nine wins in a row, ending with The Everest.

Advertisement

Visit betting sites for the latest racing odds on the Takeover Target Stakes.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025