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5 Front-Runners in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings

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5 Front-Runners in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings

The Breeders’ Cup Classic is one of the most prestigious events in the horse racing world, drawing top thoroughbreds from across the globe. As we approach the 2024 edition, excitement is mounting among racing enthusiasts.

The rankings, established by a panel comprising top Thoroughbred racing members, horseplayers, and media of the Breeders’ Cup racing directors-secretaries panel, play a vital role in anticipating the event. Voters rate the horses using a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 system, offering weekly updates on the leading contenders.

Here, we explore the top five front-runners for the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic, delving into their recent performances and prospects.

Dornoch

Trainer Danny Gargan’s Dornoch tops the rankings with 284 votes, including 7 first-place votes. This remarkable horse, partly owned by Atlanta-based West Paces Racing, has made headlines with impressive victories.

The 156th running of the Belmont Stakes saw Dornoch, a 17-1 long shot, clinch victory under jockey Luis Saez. This win marked the first Belmont Stakes victory for Gargan and owner Jayson Werth, a former Major League Baseball All-Star. Gargan described Dornoch as “the best horse I’ve ever trained.”

Dornoch’s pedigree is noteworthy. He is a full brother to Mage (2023 Derby winner). Their sire, Good Magic, finished second in the 2018 Kentucky Derby, while their dam, Puca, is a progeny of 2008 Derby winner Big Brown.

Purchased for $325,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Dornoch has proven to be a wise investment. Overcoming various challenges, he has consistently shown resilience and determination, securing his place as a top contender for the Breeders’ Cup Classic and attracting significant attention from bettors on FanDuel.

National Treasure

National Treasure is a formidable competitor with 284 votes, including 16 first-place votes. Trained by Bob Baffert, this horse has demonstrated exceptional prowess in high-stakes races. National Treasure’s victories include the Pegasus World Cup Invitational and the Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap, solidifying his reputation as a consistent performer in Grade 1 races.

Ridden by top jockey Flavian Prat, National Treasure leads a 12-horse field in the Whitney Stakes, aiming to secure an automatic entry into the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Baffert’s confidence in National Treasure is well-founded, given his track record of success in prestigious events. This horse’s ability to deliver under pressure makes him a pivotal contender to watch in the upcoming Classic.

Fierceness

Trainer Todd Pletcher’s Fierceness ranks third with 211 votes, including 2 first-place votes. This horse has shown remarkable strength and resilience, particularly in the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Fierceness secured a crucial victory overcoming significant challenges, demonstrating his potential as a top contender for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Fierceness, sired by City of Light, has consistently performed well in high-stakes races. Pletcher has indicated plans for Fierceness to participate in the Travers Stakes, which could further solidify his position as a leading competitor. This horse’s ability to rebound from setbacks and deliver strong performances underlines his readiness for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Forever Young

Yoshito Yahagi’s Forever Young has garnered 200 votes, including 1 first-place vote, earning his place among the top contenders. This horse has a diverse international racing record, with significant victories in the Saudi and UAE Derby. Despite narrowly missing out in the Kentucky Derby due to interference, Forever Young’s performance showcased his resilience and potential.

Preparation for the Japan Dirt Classic, a critical race in Tokyo, is underway for Forever Young. Known for his versatility and endurance, this horse has demonstrated the capability to compete at the highest level. Yahagi’s strategic training and Forever Young’s proven track record make him a strong candidate for success in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Sierra Leone

Rounding out the top five is Sierra Leone, trained by Chad Brown, with 171 votes and 1 first-place vote. This three-year-old colt has had a successful racing career, including wins in the Blue Grass Stakes and Risen Star Stakes. A solid second-place finish in the Jim Dandy Stakes highlighted Sierra Leone’s ability to compete against top-tier horses.

Sierra Leone, sired by Gun Runner out of the Malibu Moon mare Heavenly Love, has consistently shown good energy and performance in high-stakes races. Trainer Chad Brown has set his sights on the Travers Stakes, aiming to position Sierra Leone as a top contender for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. This colt’s resilience and competitive spirit make him a horse to watch in the upcoming races.

Takeaway

The 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic promises to be an exhilarating event, with these five front-runners leading the charge. Each horse has demonstrated remarkable achievements and potential, setting the stage for an intense competition. Dornoch’s impressive victories, National Treasure’s consistent performance, Fierceness’s resilience, Forever Young’s international success, and Sierra Leone’s strong finishes all contribute to the excitement surrounding this year’s Classic.

As the race approaches, fans and experts will closely monitor these top contenders, eager to see who will emerge victorious. Staying updated on the latest horse racing news and following the journey of these exceptional athletes will ensure you don’t miss any thrilling developments leading up to the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

‘Andie Summers Morning Show’ Adds Boston And Las Vegas

BMM Staff
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‘Andie Summers Morning Show’ Adds Boston And Las Vegas

Beasley Media Group will syndicate “Andie Summers Morning Show” from Country WXTU (92.5 XTU)/Philadelphia across two additional markets starting Monday, August 26.

The show, hosted by Andie Summers and featuring Jeff Kurkjian, Producer Donnie Black, and Assistant Producer Shannon Boyle, will air on Country WKLB (Country102.5)/Boston and Country KCYE (107.9 Coyote Country)/Las Vegas.

Summers has been the morning host of WKTU since 1999. In her 25-year career, she has won many awards, including multiple Country Music Association (CMA) Awards for Major Market Personality of the Year, the Academy of Country Music Award (ACM) for Major Market Station of the Year, and a Gracie Award.

Justin Chase Beasley, Chief Content Officer, said, “Andie Summers has been beloved by loyal fans in Philly for decades, and the show brand has only improved in recent years with the addition of Jeff Kurkjian, Donnie Black, and Shannon Boyle. I have no doubt that Country radio listeners in Boston and Vegas will fall in love with this amazing cast.”

KCYE’s Program Director and on-air personality, Shawn Stevens, will transition from hosting the morning show to the midday slot on the Las Vegas radio station.

WSM-AM, Nashville Moves To Historic Acuff House

BMM Staff
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WSM-AM, Nashville Moves To Historic Acuff House

Ryman Hospitalities’ WSM-AM/Nashville, the home of the Grand Ole Opry, has unveiled its new studios inside the historic Acuff House on the Opry grounds.

The unveiling event, emceed by WSM-AM’s morning co-hosts Bill Cody and Kelly Sutton, celebrated the station’s move from the Opryland Hotel to the Acuff House on the Opry Plaza.

This followed an on-air interview with Ryman Hospitality Properties’ Executive Chairman Colin Reed and Grand Ole Opry member Vince Gill. The Acuff House was once the residence of the legendary “King of Country Music,” Roy Acuff, who lived there from 1984 until his passing in 1992, making it a cherished Opry landmark.

WSM-AM Radio’s Jack DeWitt said, “The move to the Acuff House is a significant milestone for WSM Radio, especially as we recognize country music’s transformation from a domestic genre to a global phenomenon. This new studio location not only amplifies our broadcast capabilities but also strengthens our connection to the Opry as we approach its 100th anniversary. The Acuff House, with its rich history, perfectly represents our commitment to honoring the past while embracing the future of country music.”

Gill added, “Performing in the new WSM studio at the Acuff House is a true privilege. This space is a testament to the enduring legacy of country music and the ongoing evolution of the Opry and WSM. I’m excited to see what the future holds for this iconic station.”

Chris Cuomo: NewsNation Refuses to ‘Play the Game’ Other Cable News Channels Do at Democratic National Convention

BNM Staff
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Chris Cuomo: NewsNation Refuses to ‘Play the Game’ Other Cable News Channels Do at Democratic National Convention

While other networks are perched atop the Democratic National Convention in suites, NewsNation isn’t. Chris Cuomo says there’s a reason for that.

The upstart cable news outlet is presenting all of its content from the floor of the convention in Chicago. During a monologue Wednesday evening about the hypocrisy of the message presented by the Democrats, Cuomo pointed out the situation to viewers.

“There is another reality that is literally looking down on (convention goers),” Cuomo said. “Look at the ring of suites. This is not unique to Democrats. There is a game of money … We are strangled by the money reality in our politics. Those suites start at $500,000 … The media boxes. You think they’re free? Why do you think I’m on the floor? NewsNation is not a broke company. Nexstar is a massive organization. We are corporate media. We don’t have one of those boxes because that’s the game. You pay to play.”

NewsNation has provided all of its coverage from Chicago from the convention floor, bucking the trend from other cable and network news outlets of featuring prominent sets in the upper levels of the United Center.

The comments from Chris Cuomo garnered hundreds of thousands of views on X. As of this publication, it had received more than 700,000 views.

Colleagues backed up Cuomo’s take by calling it “insightful” and “a truth bomb” among others.

Eric Von Haessler: Covering Political Conventions Shows Not Every Topic Needs to Be Serious

BNM Staff
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Eric Von Haessler: Covering Political Conventions Shows Not Every Topic Needs to Be Serious

Millions are tuning into the 2024 Democratic National Convention. 95.5 WSB afternoon host Eric Von Haessler is not one of them, but is talking about it each day.

During The Von Haessler Doctrine, the Atlanta-based host shared his believe that due to his non-political nature, he can’t be reached by any of the messages made at either the Republican or Democratic National Conventions. That allows him to see through the partisan nature of the content, and allows him to laugh at each side of the political aisle.

“I believe everyone should look at the world this way. I’m just not available, and we’ll cover it on this for basically the humor,” he said. “You can find the humor when you’re reading about this … It’s too bizarre for me. You know when you go to a movie, you have to suspend disbelief? I can go watch Dune and say, ‘Ok, that’s not Timothy Chalamet. He’s a guy I’ve never heard of. He’s on a planet.’ When he’s Willy Wonka, I say, ‘Hey, he’s not the guy from Dune.’ I suspend disbelief, right? But with what these two parties and these candidates are selling, even though I can suspend disbelief and believe what’s going on in Dune, I cannot suspend my disbelief enough to believe in anything that any of these people that are running for president or the parties are saying.”

Eric Von Haessler said he would read about the convention the following morning from a variety of sources, then search out clips of what he found interesting so he could be knowledgeable about the content for his audience. However, just by simply listening and watching what the politicians had to say didn’t change his thought process, he claimed.

“Sorry, I’m not straying from reality. Sorry, I’m not in the need for romance. And if you are, you’re the problem. It’s the people out there who want their politics to be romantic, they’re the ones who are so susceptible to manipulation,” said Von Haessler.

“‘I just want to believe that there are people in the world who go out there and give a civic damn and do it all for me.’ Hey, I’d like to believe that too. I’ve looked around for 60 years. It ain’t happening. So, sorry, I’m gonna stay in the real world. And just sort of make fun of all this stuff.”

NBA Asks New York Court to Permanently Seal Media Rights Contracts in Warner Bros. Discovery Lawsuit

BSM Staff
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NBA Asks New York Court to Permanently Seal Media Rights Contracts in Warner Bros. Discovery Lawsuit

The NBA filed a memorandum of law in the New York Supreme Court, along with subsequent statements from NBCUniversal and Amazon, arguing that the new media rights contracts should remain under seal. Warner Bros. Discovery filed these contracts as part of its lawsuit against the league, alleging that the league committed breach of contract by rejecting the attempt to implement the matching rights provision to a deal previously agreed upon with Amazon. As a result, the company is pursuing litigation against the league while it will continue to broadcast NBA games through the 2024-25 season, currently the final season in a relationship between both entities that has spanned nearly four decades.

Within the brief, it is stated that the defendants have no opposition to unsealing the unredacted complaint and another exhibit; however, the entity aims to seal four exhibits containing these commercial agreements. The rationale for keeping these exhibits under seal is because of the “sensitive commercial and proprietary information” included therein that belongs to the NBA, along with nonparties NBCUniversal and Amazon. If the information were to be divulged, the Defendants allege that it “would cause significant competitive harm” to itself and the nonparties. The NBA shared both confidential offers with Turner Broadcasting System from NBCUniversal and Amazon in mid-July.

Rick Cordella, the president of NBC Sports, issued a filing in which he argued that publicly disclosing the agreement would cause prejudice to the NBCU Non-Parties as it pertains to future media rights agreements. Andy Oh, principal, sports partnerships at Amazon, mentioned within a separate filing that the content of the offer reveals the company’s “short- and long-term business strategies, initiatives, and objectives.” Moreover, he explained that the public disclosure of such “would cause substantial competitive harm to Amazon because it would give counterparties and rivals in future media rights negotiations an informational advantage that they could leverage to attempt to extract concessions from Amazon.”

The NBA agreed to 11-year media rights deals with The Walt Disney Company (ESPN/ABC), NBCUniversal (NBC/Peacock) and Amazon (Prime Video) reportedly worth a collective $77 billion. Taking effect beginning with the 2025-26 season, the deal ensures that ABC continues broadcasting the NBA Finals and a conference final in 10 of 11 seasons. NBCUniversal and Amazon will each receive a conference final in six of the 11 years. All three companies have exclusive broadcast windows and other programming elements within their deals with the league, providing a varied distribution approach within broadcast, cable and streaming verticals.

The NBA has until Friday, Aug. 23 to file answering papers pertaining to the case, but it pointed out in the court filing that Warner Bros. Discovery attempted to match the Amazon deal with “distribution methods other than the Internet (e.g., cable and satellite).” It remains unknown how the motion to seal the NBCUniversal and Amazon deals could impact that timeline. Numerous reports state that the belief is the league will file a motion to dismiss the case, arguing against the merits set forth by Turner Broadcasting System and Warner Bros. Discovery. The plaintiffs would then have until Sept. 20 to file an opposition to the motion set forth by the NBA..

iHeartMedia Ashville Announces ‘Show Love Fest’

BMM Staff
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iHeartMedia Ashville Announces ‘Show Love Fest’

iHeartMedia/Asheville has announced the “Show Love Fest,” a free public event at Carrier Park on Saturday, September 14.

Dedicated to expressing gratitude to local healthcare workers, the festival will run from 12-4 pm and is presented by HCA Healthcare and Mission Health. The event aims to recognize and celebrate the efforts of nurses, doctors, hospital staff, and first responders who serve the community.

The event will kick off at noon with a welcome ceremony led by iHeartMedia Asheville personalities and a bagpipe procession from the Montreat Scottish Pipes & Drums. Live music from local bands TLQ+2 and Mission Accomplished, a group of Mission Health doctors, will begin around 1 pm.

Jessica Fuller Manley, iHeartMedia Asheville VP/Sales, said, “The last few years have been challenging — from the pandemic to the everyday things for which we depend on our healthcare workers and first responders. This celebration is a way for the community to shine a light on these selfless humans and provide an unforgettable day of thanks.”

Dr. Phil Stahel, Mission Health’s Chief Medical Officer, added, “At Mission, we are always celebrating our team inside the walls of our hospitals, so it is exciting to open that up to the communities we are so proud to care for and celebrate with them. Music brings people together, so I’m also looking forward to our band, Mission Accomplished, playing for this gathering.”

The festival will showcase a variety of offerings beyond just music, including food trucks, beer trucks, and the HCA Healthcare Show Love Coffee Truck, which will provide complimentary coffee and giveaways. Additionally, healthcare workers who attend will receive a wristband granting them entry into a prize drawing with prizes donated by local businesses.

SiriusXM to Air 97 College Football Games During Opening Week

BSM Staff
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SiriusXM to Air 97 College Football Games During Opening Week

SiriusXM will be offering listeners access to 97 live games during the opening week of the 2024 college football season – from August 24 to September 2. This is the largest number of games ever offered by SiriusXM during the first week of the season.

The schedule for Week One on SiriusXM includes games from all teams in the AP Top 25 poll, including two top-ranked matchups between #1 ranked Georgia and #14 Clemson in Atlanta and #7 Notre Dame against #20 Texas A&M in College Station, TX.

During the season, SiriusXM will provide fans with access to dozens of game broadcasts each week from the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, Pac-12 and other conferences, as well as coverage of Notre Dame, Army, Navy, HBCU football and more.

Additionally, SiriusXM has coverage of college football with daily talk shows, news and analysis on their dedicated 24/7 channel – SiriusXM College Sports Radio (channel 84). They also have conference-specific channels including SiriusXM ACC Radio (channel 371), SiriusXM Big Ten Radio (channel 372), and SiriusXM SEC Radio (channel 374).

SiriusXM College Sports Radio includes hosts Dusty Dvoracek and Danny Kanell on “Dusty and Danny in the Morning,” Rick Neuheisel and Chris Childers on “Full Ride,” Kris Budden, Nicole Auerbach, Roddy Jones, and Ben Hartsock on “College Sports Today,” and Jacob Hester and E.J. Manuel on “Off Campus.”

Other notable hosts and analysts include Jake Butt, Bobby Carpenter, Molly McGrath, Chris Doering, Anthony Herron, Damian Harris, Aaron Murray, Geoff Schwartz, Alyssa Lang, Gino Torretta, Fozzy Whittaker, Holly Rowe, and more.

Kirk Minihane: WEEI ‘Is Just Cutting Money’

BSM Staff
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Kirk Minihane: WEEI ‘Is Just Cutting Money’

Former WEEI host Kirk Minihane, who now hosts The Kirk Minihane Show with Barstool Sports, had plenty to say on his most recent episode about the recent changes announced by WEEI. He also said from what he is hearing, there is at least one other announcement still to come.

Minihane, in trying to explain the Boston radio scenario to a national audience explained what happened and gave his opinions on the moves.

Minihane said, “They got rid of Megan Ottolini in the afternoons, and they put Adam Jones and Rich Keefe in middays, which I think is actually probably fine, like, what’s the difference? That’s a smart move…And then they’re putting Christian Arcand and Andy Hart in the afternoons…”

Minihane also added, “and they’re going to add Ryan Johnston, I’m told.”

What Minihane was saying is that he is told the afternoon drive show on WEEI will not just be Arcand and Hart, but also Johnston, who has been with 98.5 The Sports Hub since the station came on the air and has also been rumored to be a candidate for the open Boston Bruins play-by-play job aired by The Sports Hub.

Minihane concluded the WEEI changes were more about saving money. “If you pay attention to the radio in Boston…this is Christian Arcand, Ryan Johnston, and Andy Hart is finally like a Des Moines afternoon show. ‘We’re giving up.’ This is, like, a $150,000 budget in the afternoon.”

As far as how he thinks the new WEEI afternoon show will do against 98.5’s Felger and Mazz, Minihane simply said, “It’s going to get clobbered.”

Looking at the rest of the dayparts, Minihane said, “The morning show does great. You know, make fun of Greg [Hill] all we want. They’re super competitive, and then nobody listens the rest of the day. So, good luck. It just feels like such a minor league move. Like, just so low rent. It’s going to be so bad.”

The two WEEI shows had struggled in the ratings and didn’t show any signs of being competitive with the shows from 98.5, so ultimately everyone had to have known change was coming.

“I wasn’t surprised they finally made moves,” Minihane said. “You get ones in the ratings, eventually you have to do something.”

While not a fan of Andy Gresh, Minihane said he did get along with Christian Fauria and said, “I feel bad for him. But if you don’t get ratings, you hit the bricks.”

Then, Minihane went back to the conversation about money and how it played a role in the decisions.

“I guarantee you, Fauria made more than anybody else at the station, other than Greg [Hill],” he said. “And Andy [Gresh] was probably second because he came in, he was a radio vet. So, they’re just cutting money. They’re paying Andy Hart, who is actually a very nice guy, a terrific bore, but a nice guy. They’re not giving him a dime raise to go from writing for the website to hosting an afternoon drive show in Boston. So, I like Fauria, but Gresh I am glad that, you know…hopefully he never works again…but he will…he’ll do fill-in work, he has no pride, he’ll do nights.”

Megan Thee Stallion To Host MTV Video Music Awards

BMM Staff
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Megan Thee Stallion To Host MTV Video Music Awards

Megan Thee Stallion will make her awards show hosting debut at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), the network announced today. (8/22)

At this year’s VMAs, she is nominated for five awards, the most of any hip-hop artist. Her nominations include Best Collaboration, which she shares with GloRilla. She is also up for Best Hip-Hop.

Her history at the MTV VMAs stretches back five years, from when she first won the award for Best Power Anthem for her hit “Hot Girl Summer.”

The 2024 MTV Video Music Awards will air live on September 11th at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific Time from the UBS Arena in New York.

The full list of nominees was released earlier this month. (BMM 8/6)

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