Kentucky
Mystik Dan wins at the 2024 Kentucky Derby
It’s off to the races for Kentucky Derby fans! The 150th annual horse face kicked off on May 4, 2024, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Decorated hats and mint juleps were in abundance hours before the race kicked off on Saturday.
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Mystik Dan’s jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. celebrates with the trophy after winning the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.

Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Mystik Dan trainer Kenny McPeek raises the trophy with his family after winning the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Jockey Brian J. Hernandez Jr. celebrates atop Mystik Dan in the winner circle after winning the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.

Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Mystik Dan’s jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. celebrates after winning the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.

Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Mystik Dan #3, ridden by jockey Brian J. Hernandez Jr., crosses the finish line to win the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.

Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Sierra Leone #2, ridden by jockey Tyler Gaffalione (L), and Forever Young #11, ridden by jockey Ryusei Sakai, cross the finish line second and third in the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.

Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Mystik Dan #3, ridden by jockey Brian J. Hernandez Jr. (R), crosses the finish line ahead of Sierra Leone #2, ridden by jockey Tyler Gaffalione, and Forever Young, ridden by jockey Ryusei Sakai, to win the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.

Leandro Lozada/Getty Images
U.S. jockey Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr. on Mystik Dan (R) competes to win the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.

Michael Reaves/Getty Images
T O Password, with Kazushi Kimura aboard, and Sierra Leone, with Tyler Gaffalione aboard, head to the first turn during the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.

Michael Reaves/Getty Images
The field heads to the first turn during the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
The field breaks from the gate at the start of the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.
Kentucky
Kentucky is poised to land either Donnie Freeman or Sebastian Rancik this weekend, per report
Jones posted on Twitter that “Kentucky will have (absent a major change) either Freeman or Rancik by tomorrow,” while also noting the Wildcats still need to add another shooter and another big to round out the roster.
One of the top targets is Donnie Freeman, a 6-foot-9, 205-pound sophomore forward transferring from Syracuse. Freeman arrived in Lexington on Tuesday night and began his visit on Wednesday before leaving without a commitment. While there was concern he could land at UConn, that visit has since been canceled, leaving Kentucky and St. John’s as the top teams.
Freeman averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game last season, while adding nearly a block and a steal per contest. He shot 47.4% from the field but 30.2% from 3-point range across 23 games.
The other option is Sebastian Rancik, a 6-foot-11, 220-pound sophomore forward transferring from Colorado. Rancik visited Kentucky starting Wednesday through Thursday and brings a versatile skill set, averaging 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while shooting 33.1% from 3.
Either Freeman or Rancik would provide a significant boost at the power forward position for head coach Mark Pope. Kentucky has already added guards Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins in the portal.
Kentucky
Kentucky football spring game offers early look at Will Stein’s Cats
Kentucky football coach Will Stein reflects on new position
Will Stein was officially introduced to fans and media as the head coach for the Kentucky Wildcats, replacing Mark Stoops.
LEXINGTON — Kentucky football had its first spring game under new coach Will Stein at Kroger Field on Saturday.
The offense, in blue jerseys, had its moments. So too the defense, donning white uniforms.
Ultimately, the blue squad earned a 23-18 victory in a game called just after noon because of inclement weather.
Stein admitted he “got emotional” as he charged onto the field prior to kickoff.
“I know it wasn’t a real game, but when I ran on the field, I definitely — man, I felt it,” he said. “It was like a wave running over me. And very, very, just cool.”
While it doesn’t count in the standings, Stein walked away pleased.
“I think we got a lot of really good work,” he said. “That’s the goal of spring is to improve with fundamentals and technique, learn how to practice, learn what winning edges that we need throughout spring to go into summer and fall and prepare the team for play. And we came out of the scrimmage clean. There (were) no injuries, which to me, that’s the biggest win of the day. I could (not) care less about the score.
“If we come out clean, that’s good. The Wildcats won.”
New starting QB Kenny Minchey looked about as expected, with sharp passes evened out by moments of inconsistency. Martels Carter Jr., a defensive back who is lining up at running back this spring, scored a touchdown and had several nice runs.
And the defense forced multiple three-and-outs and also picked off one Minchey pass on a two-point conversion.
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
Kentucky
Kentucky has reportedly moved on from top-10 transfer Paulius Murauskas

-
Augusta, GA44 seconds agoAugusta nonprofit hosts family financial literacy day
-
Washington, D.C7 minutes agoStorm Team4 Forecast: A chilly, gusty Sunday before a cool start to the week
-
Cleveland, OH13 minutes agoWinners and Losers From Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Playoffs Game 1
-
Austin, TX19 minutes agoStorms dump small hail throughout Austin area Saturday
-
Alabama25 minutes agoYMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort
-
Alaska31 minutes ago
Bear injures two US soldiers during military training in Alaska | The Jerusalem Post
-
Arizona37 minutes agoNFL mock draft: 4-round projections for Arizona Cardinals
-
Arkansas43 minutes agoNo. 6 Arkansas ends top-ranked OU’s 31-game home winning streak with 3-2 decision