For the third year in a row, the Belmont will be the hottest ticket in thoroughbred racing as Derby winner Charismatic doubled up on the Preakness and now aims for Triple Crown immortality in early June. The Lukas colt went off as the fifth favorite at 8-1 odds but blew past the field on the final turn and cruised home easily. However, Pimlico had another bizarre day when a lunatic fan got on the track and tried to punch an oncoming horse during the 7th race. Betcha they never covered that scenario in jockey school. Remember, folks, alcohol doesn't punch horses.
People punch horses.
Just when you thought the Avs were done, goalie Patrick Roy started doing headstands and the Central Red Army Wings are now staring at the brink of a shocking Cup-less season. Oddly enough, the road team won each of the first four games putting the Avs at risk of not having enough games in Detroit to win the series. But in Game 5 in Denver on Sunday, Peter Forsberg was huge, Roy stoned them again and now Colorado heads back to Hockeytown with a perfect road record. Which naturally means we'll see this one go seven. Earlier this year, Pudge Rodriguez slammed three dingers and knocked in nine runs against the hapless M's and now the stud BoSox shortstop had a career day last week with three homers of his own, two of 'em of the grand persuasion, and drove in 10 runs all total.