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Deadspin | Yankees determined to wake sleepy bats in rematch vs. Rays   Apr 10, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) hits a foul ball during the fifth inning abasing Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images   Getting into a climate-controlled environment hardly solved woes at the plate for the New York Yankees on Friday night.  Tweaking the top of the lineup helped the Tampa Bay Rays, however.  The Yankees will attempt to get rolling offensively and halt a three-game losing streak on Saturday evening when the American League East rivals continue a three-game series in domed Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.  After winning seven of their first eight games, the Yankees have lost four of their last five. During their past three games, the Yankees are hitting .112 (10-for-89) with 35 strikeouts.  In Friday’s 5-3 loss to the Rays, the Yankees scored twice in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Cody Bellinger and a triple by Amed Rosario. New York did not get another hit until Ben Rice’s pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning. The Yankees struck out 12 times.  “I think up until the last game of the homestand, we’ve been walking a ton, giving ourselves an opportunity,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Just got to get some guys clicking and get that big hit. We’re not hitting a ton of long balls right now, but for the most part, approach wise we’ve been good.  “It’s going to happen sometimes from the offense, and they’ll get it rolling some people will pay the price.”  Tampa Bay tweaked the top of its lineup after going 11-for-62 (.177) and getting outscored 15-4 in a pair of losses to the visiting Chicago Cubs this week.  Yandy Diaz batted fourth on Friday and hit a tying two-run homer in the first inning after starting the Rays’ first 12 games out of the leadoff spot.   Chandler Simpson moved up to that spot, had an RBI single, drove in two runs and is hitting .373 this year. Junior Caminero batted behind Simpson and reached base twice after hitting third or fourth in the previous 12 games.   “Chandler is a very talented young hitter, and Yandy I think he can probably hit anywhere,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “He’s so talented. We’ll see how it goes. We’ll continue to mix and match. I didn’t think Chandler or either one of them were going to think too much of it.”  Cash may keep Simpson in the lineup Saturday against Yankees starter Max Fried (2-0, 1.35 ERA) especially since the outfielder is batting .385 vs. left-handed pitching this season.  The Yankees have yet to see a starting pitcher allow more than three runs and hope for some length from Fried after Luis Gil lasted four innings. Fried, a left-hander, allowed three runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings while pitching in inclement weather in a no-decision against the Miami Marlins on Sunday. New York lost 7-6.  Fried is 5-0 with an 0.77 ERA in five career starts against the Rays, who batted .121 in those outings. Last season, he was 3-0 with an 0.84 ERA in three starts against Tampa Bay and held Diaz to one hit in eight at-bats.  The Yankees had four left-handed hitters on the bench Friday when they faced southpaw Steven Matz, but Rice will return to the lineup at first base against right-hander Nick Martinez (0-0, 2.25 ERA).   Martinez has a pair of no-decisions in his initial two starts with Tampa Bay. He allowed one run on one hit in six innings on Sunday when the Rays scored three times in the 10th for a 4-1 win at Minnesota.  Martinez is 2-2 with a 5.09 ERA in 10 career appearances (five starts) against the Yankees. He last started against them on 2017, when he was with the Texas Rangers.    –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Yankees #determined #wake #sleepy #bats #rematch #Rays

Deadspin | Yankees determined to wake sleepy bats in rematch vs. Rays
Deadspin | Yankees determined to wake sleepy bats in rematch vs. Rays   Apr 10, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) hits a foul ball during the fifth inning abasing Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images   Getting into a climate-controlled environment hardly solved woes at the plate for the New York Yankees on Friday night.  Tweaking the top of the lineup helped the Tampa Bay Rays, however.  The Yankees will attempt to get rolling offensively and halt a three-game losing streak on Saturday evening when the American League East rivals continue a three-game series in domed Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.  After winning seven of their first eight games, the Yankees have lost four of their last five. During their past three games, the Yankees are hitting .112 (10-for-89) with 35 strikeouts.  In Friday’s 5-3 loss to the Rays, the Yankees scored twice in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Cody Bellinger and a triple by Amed Rosario. New York did not get another hit until Ben Rice’s pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning. The Yankees struck out 12 times.  “I think up until the last game of the homestand, we’ve been walking a ton, giving ourselves an opportunity,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Just got to get some guys clicking and get that big hit. We’re not hitting a ton of long balls right now, but for the most part, approach wise we’ve been good.  “It’s going to happen sometimes from the offense, and they’ll get it rolling some people will pay the price.”  Tampa Bay tweaked the top of its lineup after going 11-for-62 (.177) and getting outscored 15-4 in a pair of losses to the visiting Chicago Cubs this week.  Yandy Diaz batted fourth on Friday and hit a tying two-run homer in the first inning after starting the Rays’ first 12 games out of the leadoff spot.   Chandler Simpson moved up to that spot, had an RBI single, drove in two runs and is hitting .373 this year. Junior Caminero batted behind Simpson and reached base twice after hitting third or fourth in the previous 12 games.   “Chandler is a very talented young hitter, and Yandy I think he can probably hit anywhere,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “He’s so talented. We’ll see how it goes. We’ll continue to mix and match. I didn’t think Chandler or either one of them were going to think too much of it.”  Cash may keep Simpson in the lineup Saturday against Yankees starter Max Fried (2-0, 1.35 ERA) especially since the outfielder is batting .385 vs. left-handed pitching this season.  The Yankees have yet to see a starting pitcher allow more than three runs and hope for some length from Fried after Luis Gil lasted four innings. Fried, a left-hander, allowed three runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings while pitching in inclement weather in a no-decision against the Miami Marlins on Sunday. New York lost 7-6.  Fried is 5-0 with an 0.77 ERA in five career starts against the Rays, who batted .121 in those outings. Last season, he was 3-0 with an 0.84 ERA in three starts against Tampa Bay and held Diaz to one hit in eight at-bats.  The Yankees had four left-handed hitters on the bench Friday when they faced southpaw Steven Matz, but Rice will return to the lineup at first base against right-hander Nick Martinez (0-0, 2.25 ERA).   Martinez has a pair of no-decisions in his initial two starts with Tampa Bay. He allowed one run on one hit in six innings on Sunday when the Rays scored three times in the 10th for a 4-1 win at Minnesota.  Martinez is 2-2 with a 5.09 ERA in 10 career appearances (five starts) against the Yankees. He last started against them on 2017, when he was with the Texas Rangers.    –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Yankees #determined #wake #sleepy #bats #rematch #RaysApr 10, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) hits a foul ball during the fifth inning abasing Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images

Getting into a climate-controlled environment hardly solved woes at the plate for the New York Yankees on Friday night.

Tweaking the top of the lineup helped the Tampa Bay Rays, however.

The Yankees will attempt to get rolling offensively and halt a three-game losing streak on Saturday evening when the American League East rivals continue a three-game series in domed Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.

After winning seven of their first eight games, the Yankees have lost four of their last five. During their past three games, the Yankees are hitting .112 (10-for-89) with 35 strikeouts.

In Friday’s 5-3 loss to the Rays, the Yankees scored twice in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Cody Bellinger and a triple by Amed Rosario. New York did not get another hit until Ben Rice’s pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning. The Yankees struck out 12 times.

“I think up until the last game of the homestand, we’ve been walking a ton, giving ourselves an opportunity,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Just got to get some guys clicking and get that big hit. We’re not hitting a ton of long balls right now, but for the most part, approach wise we’ve been good.

“It’s going to happen sometimes from the offense, and they’ll get it rolling some people will pay the price.”

Tampa Bay tweaked the top of its lineup after going 11-for-62 (.177) and getting outscored 15-4 in a pair of losses to the visiting Chicago Cubs this week.

Yandy Diaz batted fourth on Friday and hit a tying two-run homer in the first inning after starting the Rays’ first 12 games out of the leadoff spot.


Chandler Simpson moved up to that spot, had an RBI single, drove in two runs and is hitting .373 this year. Junior Caminero batted behind Simpson and reached base twice after hitting third or fourth in the previous 12 games.

“Chandler is a very talented young hitter, and Yandy I think he can probably hit anywhere,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “He’s so talented. We’ll see how it goes. We’ll continue to mix and match. I didn’t think Chandler or either one of them were going to think too much of it.”

Cash may keep Simpson in the lineup Saturday against Yankees starter Max Fried (2-0, 1.35 ERA) especially since the outfielder is batting .385 vs. left-handed pitching this season.

The Yankees have yet to see a starting pitcher allow more than three runs and hope for some length from Fried after Luis Gil lasted four innings. Fried, a left-hander, allowed three runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings while pitching in inclement weather in a no-decision against the Miami Marlins on Sunday. New York lost 7-6.

Fried is 5-0 with an 0.77 ERA in five career starts against the Rays, who batted .121 in those outings. Last season, he was 3-0 with an 0.84 ERA in three starts against Tampa Bay and held Diaz to one hit in eight at-bats.

The Yankees had four left-handed hitters on the bench Friday when they faced southpaw Steven Matz, but Rice will return to the lineup at first base against right-hander Nick Martinez (0-0, 2.25 ERA).

Martinez has a pair of no-decisions in his initial two starts with Tampa Bay. He allowed one run on one hit in six innings on Sunday when the Rays scored three times in the 10th for a 4-1 win at Minnesota.

Martinez is 2-2 with a 5.09 ERA in 10 career appearances (five starts) against the Yankees. He last started against them on 2017, when he was with the Texas Rangers.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Yankees #determined #wake #sleepy #bats #rematch #Rays

Apr 10, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) hits a foul ball during the fifth inning abasing Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images

Getting into a climate-controlled environment hardly solved woes at the plate for the New York Yankees on Friday night.

Tweaking the top of the lineup helped the Tampa Bay Rays, however.

The Yankees will attempt to get rolling offensively and halt a three-game losing streak on Saturday evening when the American League East rivals continue a three-game series in domed Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.

After winning seven of their first eight games, the Yankees have lost four of their last five. During their past three games, the Yankees are hitting .112 (10-for-89) with 35 strikeouts.

In Friday’s 5-3 loss to the Rays, the Yankees scored twice in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Cody Bellinger and a triple by Amed Rosario. New York did not get another hit until Ben Rice’s pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning. The Yankees struck out 12 times.

“I think up until the last game of the homestand, we’ve been walking a ton, giving ourselves an opportunity,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Just got to get some guys clicking and get that big hit. We’re not hitting a ton of long balls right now, but for the most part, approach wise we’ve been good.

“It’s going to happen sometimes from the offense, and they’ll get it rolling some people will pay the price.”

Tampa Bay tweaked the top of its lineup after going 11-for-62 (.177) and getting outscored 15-4 in a pair of losses to the visiting Chicago Cubs this week.

Yandy Diaz batted fourth on Friday and hit a tying two-run homer in the first inning after starting the Rays’ first 12 games out of the leadoff spot.

Chandler Simpson moved up to that spot, had an RBI single, drove in two runs and is hitting .373 this year. Junior Caminero batted behind Simpson and reached base twice after hitting third or fourth in the previous 12 games.

“Chandler is a very talented young hitter, and Yandy I think he can probably hit anywhere,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “He’s so talented. We’ll see how it goes. We’ll continue to mix and match. I didn’t think Chandler or either one of them were going to think too much of it.”

Cash may keep Simpson in the lineup Saturday against Yankees starter Max Fried (2-0, 1.35 ERA) especially since the outfielder is batting .385 vs. left-handed pitching this season.

The Yankees have yet to see a starting pitcher allow more than three runs and hope for some length from Fried after Luis Gil lasted four innings. Fried, a left-hander, allowed three runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings while pitching in inclement weather in a no-decision against the Miami Marlins on Sunday. New York lost 7-6.

Fried is 5-0 with an 0.77 ERA in five career starts against the Rays, who batted .121 in those outings. Last season, he was 3-0 with an 0.84 ERA in three starts against Tampa Bay and held Diaz to one hit in eight at-bats.

The Yankees had four left-handed hitters on the bench Friday when they faced southpaw Steven Matz, but Rice will return to the lineup at first base against right-hander Nick Martinez (0-0, 2.25 ERA).

Martinez has a pair of no-decisions in his initial two starts with Tampa Bay. He allowed one run on one hit in six innings on Sunday when the Rays scored three times in the 10th for a 4-1 win at Minnesota.

Martinez is 2-2 with a 5.09 ERA in 10 career appearances (five starts) against the Yankees. He last started against them on 2017, when he was with the Texas Rangers.

–Field Level Media

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“米・イラン代表団がパキスタン交え対面協議” 米高官 | NHKニュースアメリカ、ホワイトハウスの高官は11日、アメリカとイランの代表団が、仲介国のパキスタンを交えて、対面での協議を行っていると明らかにしました。それによりますと、アメリカ側からは、バンス副大統領とウィトコフ特使、それにトランプ大統領の娘の夫のクシュナー氏のほか、国家安全保障に関わる担当者などが参加しているということです。この協議についてロイター通信はイラン側からは、ガリバフ議長やアラグチ外相、パキスタン側からはムニール陸軍参謀長らが参加したと伝えています。#米イラン代表団がパキスタン交え対面協議 #米高官 #NHKニュースNHK,ニュース,NHK ONE,イラン情勢,アメリカ,イラン,パキスタン,中東,ホルムズ海峡,レバノン,イスラエル,一覧

Deadspin | Soaring Nashville has date with struggling Union  Apr 28, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville SC forward Warren Madrigal (41) dribbles the ball as Tigres UANL defender Jesus Angulo (27) defends during the second half of their Concacaf Champions Cup Semifinals game at GEODIS Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images   Nashville SC will look to continue their winning ways when they return to MLS action Saturday night against the Philadelphia Union in Chester, Pa.  Nashville (7-1-1, 22 points) is unbeaten in its last three matches in league play but returns to the pitch Saturday following a 1-0 midweek loss to Tigres UANL in CONCACAF Champions Cup action.  Sam Surridge, who leads Nashville with nine goals through seven MLS appearances this season, is out week-to-week with a back injury and likely to miss Saturday’s match.  It’s the second injury this season for the English forward, who missed two contests in April due to a hamstring injury.  Despite multiple injuries, Nashville coach B.J. Callaghan isn’t concerned about the overall health of his star goal-scorer.  “I would say they’re two separate types of injuries,” Callaghan said. “We’ll lean on the medical team and doctors to guide his recovery and his return to play.”  Surridge is tied with Dallas’ Petar Musa early in the Golden Boot race.   Saturday is the first of two MLS meetings between Nashville and Philadelphia this season. Nashville hosts Philadelphia on Oct. 28 to conclude the season series.  Nashville swept the season series in 2025, winning 3-1 at the Union before posting a clean sheet in a 1-0 home victory.  Philadelphia (1-7-2, 5 points), on the opposite end of the Eastern Conference standings, returns home aiming to snap a three-match winless skid.  The Union’s lone win of the season came away at Montreal 2-1 on April 11. Philadelphia is without a win at home (0-3-1).  “It’s not good enough for the club standards that was set many years before us,” forward Milan Iloski said. “Especially at home, we have to be better. We have to pick up three points. We’re in a must-win mindset, and we have to come out with three points, no matter what it looks like or how it happens.”  Iloski and midfielder Danley Jean Jacques pace Philadelphia with two goals apiece.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Soaring #Nashville #date #struggling #UnionApr 28, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville SC forward Warren Madrigal (41) dribbles the ball as Tigres UANL defender Jesus Angulo (27) defends during the second half of their Concacaf Champions Cup Semifinals game at GEODIS Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images

Nashville SC will look to continue their winning ways when they return to MLS action Saturday night against the Philadelphia Union in Chester, Pa.

Nashville (7-1-1, 22 points) is unbeaten in its last three matches in league play but returns to the pitch Saturday following a 1-0 midweek loss to Tigres UANL in CONCACAF Champions Cup action.

Sam Surridge, who leads Nashville with nine goals through seven MLS appearances this season, is out week-to-week with a back injury and likely to miss Saturday’s match.

It’s the second injury this season for the English forward, who missed two contests in April due to a hamstring injury.

Despite multiple injuries, Nashville coach B.J. Callaghan isn’t concerned about the overall health of his star goal-scorer.

“I would say they’re two separate types of injuries,” Callaghan said. “We’ll lean on the medical team and doctors to guide his recovery and his return to play.”


Surridge is tied with Dallas’ Petar Musa early in the Golden Boot race.

Saturday is the first of two MLS meetings between Nashville and Philadelphia this season. Nashville hosts Philadelphia on Oct. 28 to conclude the season series.

Nashville swept the season series in 2025, winning 3-1 at the Union before posting a clean sheet in a 1-0 home victory.

Philadelphia (1-7-2, 5 points), on the opposite end of the Eastern Conference standings, returns home aiming to snap a three-match winless skid.

The Union’s lone win of the season came away at Montreal 2-1 on April 11. Philadelphia is without a win at home (0-3-1).

“It’s not good enough for the club standards that was set many years before us,” forward Milan Iloski said. “Especially at home, we have to be better. We have to pick up three points. We’re in a must-win mindset, and we have to come out with three points, no matter what it looks like or how it happens.”

Iloski and midfielder Danley Jean Jacques pace Philadelphia with two goals apiece.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Soaring #Nashville #date #struggling #Union">Deadspin | Soaring Nashville has date with struggling Union  Apr 28, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville SC forward Warren Madrigal (41) dribbles the ball as Tigres UANL defender Jesus Angulo (27) defends during the second half of their Concacaf Champions Cup Semifinals game at GEODIS Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images   Nashville SC will look to continue their winning ways when they return to MLS action Saturday night against the Philadelphia Union in Chester, Pa.  Nashville (7-1-1, 22 points) is unbeaten in its last three matches in league play but returns to the pitch Saturday following a 1-0 midweek loss to Tigres UANL in CONCACAF Champions Cup action.  Sam Surridge, who leads Nashville with nine goals through seven MLS appearances this season, is out week-to-week with a back injury and likely to miss Saturday’s match.  It’s the second injury this season for the English forward, who missed two contests in April due to a hamstring injury.  Despite multiple injuries, Nashville coach B.J. Callaghan isn’t concerned about the overall health of his star goal-scorer.  “I would say they’re two separate types of injuries,” Callaghan said. “We’ll lean on the medical team and doctors to guide his recovery and his return to play.”  Surridge is tied with Dallas’ Petar Musa early in the Golden Boot race.   Saturday is the first of two MLS meetings between Nashville and Philadelphia this season. Nashville hosts Philadelphia on Oct. 28 to conclude the season series.  Nashville swept the season series in 2025, winning 3-1 at the Union before posting a clean sheet in a 1-0 home victory.  Philadelphia (1-7-2, 5 points), on the opposite end of the Eastern Conference standings, returns home aiming to snap a three-match winless skid.  The Union’s lone win of the season came away at Montreal 2-1 on April 11. Philadelphia is without a win at home (0-3-1).  “It’s not good enough for the club standards that was set many years before us,” forward Milan Iloski said. “Especially at home, we have to be better. We have to pick up three points. We’re in a must-win mindset, and we have to come out with three points, no matter what it looks like or how it happens.”  Iloski and midfielder Danley Jean Jacques pace Philadelphia with two goals apiece.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Soaring #Nashville #date #struggling #Union

Deadspin | Always A Runner charges late to win Kentucky Oaks  Always A Runner, with Jose L. Ortiz up, leads Meaning, with Juan J. Hernandez up across the finish line to win the 152nd running of these Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs, Friday, May 1, 2026 in Louisville Ky.   LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Always A Runner lived up to her name Friday evening as the Chad Brown-trained filly stormed down the stretch to take down rivals and claim the 152nd Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.  In just her third start, she overcame a rough start from the ninth gate as she bumped with Prom Queen to her outside. Always A Runner, sired by Gun Runner, settled into the middle of the pack, staying there alongside the 5-1 favorite Zany as Explora led the field with a half-mile time of 46.85 seconds.  Always A Runner was ninth out of 13 as the horses entered the final turn in the 1-1/8-mile race and started gaining ground. Jockey Jose Ortiz shuffled her wide at the top of the stretch, where she chased down Meaning and Counting Stars and pulled away to finish in 1:48.82 and stayed perfect for her young career.  Owned by Three Chimneys Farm and Douglas Scharbauer, Always A Runner was one of four horses to go off at 5-1, with her win-pool bets making her the third choice. She paid .04 to win, .46 to place and .44 to show. Meaning, the fourth choice, finished a length back and paid .44 and .62. Counting Stars paid .36.   This isn’t the only 3-year-old Brown is running off just two starts this weekend. He also has Emerging Market in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. Should the colt win, he would be the first to win the Derby off just two starts since 1883.  The Kentucky Oaks was run at night for the first time.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Runner #charges #late #win #Kentucky #OaksAlways A Runner, with Jose L. Ortiz up, leads Meaning, with Juan J. Hernandez up across the finish line to win the 152nd running of these Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs, Friday, May 1, 2026 in Louisville Ky.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Always A Runner lived up to her name Friday evening as the Chad Brown-trained filly stormed down the stretch to take down rivals and claim the 152nd Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.

In just her third start, she overcame a rough start from the ninth gate as she bumped with Prom Queen to her outside. Always A Runner, sired by Gun Runner, settled into the middle of the pack, staying there alongside the 5-1 favorite Zany as Explora led the field with a half-mile time of 46.85 seconds.

Always A Runner was ninth out of 13 as the horses entered the final turn in the 1-1/8-mile race and started gaining ground. Jockey Jose Ortiz shuffled her wide at the top of the stretch, where she chased down Meaning and Counting Stars and pulled away to finish in 1:48.82 and stayed perfect for her young career.


Owned by Three Chimneys Farm and Douglas Scharbauer, Always A Runner was one of four horses to go off at 5-1, with her win-pool bets making her the third choice. She paid $13.04 to win, $7.46 to place and $5.44 to show. Meaning, the fourth choice, finished a length back and paid $7.44 and $5.62. Counting Stars paid $5.36.

This isn’t the only 3-year-old Brown is running off just two starts this weekend. He also has Emerging Market in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. Should the colt win, he would be the first to win the Derby off just two starts since 1883.

The Kentucky Oaks was run at night for the first time.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Runner #charges #late #win #Kentucky #Oaks">Deadspin | Always A Runner charges late to win Kentucky Oaks  Always A Runner, with Jose L. Ortiz up, leads Meaning, with Juan J. Hernandez up across the finish line to win the 152nd running of these Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs, Friday, May 1, 2026 in Louisville Ky.   LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Always A Runner lived up to her name Friday evening as the Chad Brown-trained filly stormed down the stretch to take down rivals and claim the 152nd Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.  In just her third start, she overcame a rough start from the ninth gate as she bumped with Prom Queen to her outside. Always A Runner, sired by Gun Runner, settled into the middle of the pack, staying there alongside the 5-1 favorite Zany as Explora led the field with a half-mile time of 46.85 seconds.  Always A Runner was ninth out of 13 as the horses entered the final turn in the 1-1/8-mile race and started gaining ground. Jockey Jose Ortiz shuffled her wide at the top of the stretch, where she chased down Meaning and Counting Stars and pulled away to finish in 1:48.82 and stayed perfect for her young career.  Owned by Three Chimneys Farm and Douglas Scharbauer, Always A Runner was one of four horses to go off at 5-1, with her win-pool bets making her the third choice. She paid .04 to win, .46 to place and .44 to show. Meaning, the fourth choice, finished a length back and paid .44 and .62. Counting Stars paid .36.   This isn’t the only 3-year-old Brown is running off just two starts this weekend. He also has Emerging Market in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. Should the colt win, he would be the first to win the Derby off just two starts since 1883.  The Kentucky Oaks was run at night for the first time.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Runner #charges #late #win #Kentucky #Oaks

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