Sports
Nysos' Robert Lewis Stakes win a reminder of what the Kentucky Derby will be missing
It’s way too early to make any conclusions about this year’s Kentucky Derby, but based on four major prep races Saturday, it looks as if the 150th Run for the Roses might turn out to be more like an NFL Pro Bowl as far as showcasing the top competition. Can you say that the Preakness Stakes might be the best Triple Crown race?
The bizarre nature of this year’s Triple Crown season took form in July when Churchill Downs added a third year to trainer Bob Baffert’s two-year ban because it believed that he didn’t show enough contrition despite having not a hint of a violation in those two years. The ban was because of Medina Spirit’s positive test for a legal medication banned on race day. Baffert has contended that the colt was administered betamethasone in a topical ointment for a rash rather than through an injection into the joint.
Baffert filed many lawsuits, losing most before recently pulling any appeals in an attempt to show Churchill Downs that he was waving the white flag. Churchill Downs did not accept the gesture and in the process lost the public relations battle.
Now, with three months to go, the horse that is inarguably the best in the country is not eligible for the Kentucky Derby because of Churchill’s ban of Baffert. Some media outlets are saying this year’s Derby should be relabeled 149½ or 150*.
It all became clear when Nysos, a Baffert trainee undefeated in three starts, devastated a field of nine in winning Saturday’s $200,000 Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita by 7½ lengths. Meanwhile, at Gulfstream Park in South Florida, Fierceness, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, finished a disappointing third.
The last two years, Baffert has moved his best 3-year-olds mostly to his former trainer Tim Yakteen, so they would be eligible for the Kentucky Derby. This year, in a form of solidarity, none of the owners that represented the 18 Baffert horses nominated for the Triple Crown elected to move their horses.
Baffert had three horses entered in Saturday’s Lewis Stakes, which scratched down to two when Coach Prime was pulled.
“He stumbled a bit leaving there, but he was in a good spot,” Baffert told Santa Anita publicity about Nysos. “I knew it was going to be a hot pace. My other horse (Wine Me Up) really hung in there well. [Jockey Favien] Prat rode him with a lot of confidence, he knows the horse well. I love the fact that he has speed and he proved he can do two turns. He has a great mind. He is a really good colt. You can just sit there and push the button at any time. It makes it so much easier for the riders, but I still get a little nervous.
“I liked the way my other horse was running [on the lead] because I thought he was going to run a big race today. Deep down inside I thought if [Nysos] is a good horse he’s going to get it done, and he did.”
Nysos, the heavy favorite, paid a mere $2.20 to win on a $2 bet. Wine Me Up was second, followed by Scatify, McVay, Moonlit Sonata, Better Than Gold and Ace of Clubs. Since the Baffert horses were not allowed the get points, 30 points — 20 for first, 10 for second — were vacated.
Fierceness, trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by Mike Repole, was on the top of all the Kentucky Derby polls but failed to deliver Saturday. He was perfectly rated and was in a position entering the stretch to win it all. But Hades ($20.40 to win), with Paco Lopez aboard, wasn’t done amid very slow fractions and surged in front as Fierceness couldn’t keep up.
Domestic Product was second, followed by Fierceness, Inveigled, Dancing Groom, Otello and Sea Streak.
“He didn’t get off to a very good start,” Pletcher told Gulfstream publicity of Fierceness. “The inside horse bumped him pretty good and then he got sandwiched and kind of had to shove him into the race and try to get the position we wanted, which we eventually did. But, he had to overcome a pretty rough start to get there.”
The original plan was for Fierceness to miss the Fountain of Youth, the next major prep at Gulfstream, and wait for the Florida Derby.
In another 20-point-to-the-winner Kentucky Derby preps, Mystik Dan ($24.80) won the $800,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn. Wynstock, trained by Baffert and owned by Los Alamitos owner Dr. Ed Allred and executive Jack Liebau, finished last in the 11-horse field.
In New York, Uncle Henry rallied in the last 50 yards to Pass El Grande O at the wire to win the $250,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct, also gaining 20 Derby qualifying points.
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Team USA’s final group stage match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup may not have had any implications for either team, but patriotism was in full force for the home country as Second Lady Usha Vance was among the many prominent figures at Los Angeles Stadium on Thursday night.
As the U.S. national anthem rang across the stadium, with players and fans singing in unison, the FOX Sports broadcast showed Vance in a suite with a huge smile on her face as “The Star-Spangled Banner” ended.
Vance was present at the match just two days after FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that President Donald Trump would present the World Cup trophy to the winning team at the final in New Jersey on July 19.
U.S. Second Lady Usha Vance attends the 2026 World Cup Group D match between Turkey and the United States at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 25, 2026. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
Vance was just the beginning of the stars that showed out in Inglewood, as Paris Hilton was seen presenting the match ball before kick-off. Then, cameras started to pick up the many high-profile faces throughout the crowd.
Among them were Edward Norton and Brad Pitt, a pair that many movie lovers know from their hit classic “Fight Club.” Some social media users even hoped that the discussion they were seen having was about a sequel.
TOM CRUISE, DAVID BECKHAM, KATY PERRY AND MORE CELEBRITIES SPOTTED AT 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP MATCHES
Also, movie star Ashton Kutcher was seen speaking with Los Angeles Rams standout wide receiver Puka Nacua, who knows the confines of SoFi Stadium (what it is called outside of FIFA play) very well.
Then, Colin Farrell, though Irish born, was rocking a replica Team USA jersey alongside his son in the stands to support the Stars and Stripes. Leonardo DiCaprio, Scottie Pippen and more were also seen in the seats.
U.S. Second Lady Usha Vance sings the anthem during the 2026 World Cup Group D match between Turkey and the U.S. at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 25, 2026. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
There has been a tremendous outpouring of support for the USMNT from everywhere, celebrity or not, throughout this tournament. The 4-2 win over Paraguay at the same Los Angeles stadium caused a frenzy in the stands, as the U.S. made a statement to begin the tournament on home soil for the first time since 1999.
USA WORLD CUP TEAM CLINCHES SPOT IN KNOCKOUT STAGE AFTER ANOTHER HISTORIC PERFORMANCE VS AUSTRALIA
Then, it was on to Seattle, where a 2-0 victory over Australia not only led to a spot in the knockout round, but led to a bellowing of the John Denver classic, “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” from everyone in the stands. The USMNT saluted their fans after yet another successful match.
It was a much different look for the USMNT entering Thursday night’s matchup against Türkiye, with nine changes to the starting XI after the team had already secured its place in the knockout stage. The Americans will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on July 1.
Paris Hilton is seen with children before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Türkiye and USA at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on June 25, 2026. (Sarah Stier/FIFA)
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No matter who’s on the pitch, some of the biggest names in the country are showing support for the team that has inspired tremendous national pride to kick off this tournament.
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Shohei Ohtani was the first Dodger to be named a 2026 All-Star, after leading the majors in Phase 1 voting for the All-Star game on July 14 in Philadelphia. Six other Dodgers were finalists through the fan ballot, giving them a chance to claim starting spots in Phase 2 of voting.
Ohtani locked down the starting DH spot for the National League squad, with 3,341,257 votes. The top vote-getters in each league bypass Phase 2. Second baseman Ernie Clement of the Toronto Blue Jays was the top vote-getter in the American League, with 3,232,932 votes.
Ohtani was the expected choice, despite a slow offensive start. His red-hot June boosted him up the leaderboards. He entered Thursday with the second-highest OPS in the National League (.963), barely trailing Mets outfielder Juan Soto (.965).
Pitchers aren’t chosen through the fan vote — hurlers and reserves have to wait for the player ballot (which includes votes from players, coaches and managers) and commissioners picks. But Ohtani has been just as impressive on the mound this year.
He has a 1.58 ERA, the fourth-best mark among NL pitchers who have thrown at least 50 innings this season.
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (2,666,008 votes), third baseman Max Muncy (2,890,181) and outfielder Andy Pages (2,158,664) also led their respective NL position groups in voting. Other Dodgers finalists, who advance to voting Phase 2, include catcher Will Smith (1,871,805), shortstop Mookie Betts (1,762,343 ) and outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (1,569,932).
The vote totals reset for Phase 2, which runs from next Monday through Thursday. The remainder of the All-Star starters are set to be announced on July 4 on Fox Sports.
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The United States men’s national team opened its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a commanding 4-1 rout of Paraguay behind two goals from Folarin Balogun, and after taking care of Australia, the team has one match left in the group stage against Turkey on Thursday night.
The Americans took care of Australia last week 2-0 to keep their strong start rolling. The victory clinched a knockout-round berth for Team USA. The USMNT will look to carry its momentum into their match against Turkey as the Stars and Stripes return to Los Angeles Stadium.
Players of the United States celebrate their first goal, an own goal by Cameron Burgess of Australia, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match at Seattle Stadium in Seattle, Washington, on June 19, 2026. (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
WATCH USA VS TURKEY ON FOX ONE
Australia began its World Cup run with a win over Turkey before suffering a setback against the U.S. The Australians will meet Paraguay on Thursday in a match featuring two teams already beaten by the Americans during the group stage.
Late last month, the Americans defeated Senegal, 3-2, in a World Cup tuneup match.
Under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT entered the tournament as the No. 17 team in the FIFA World Rankings. FIFA determines its world rankings using the Elo rating system, which rewards teams for wins and penalizes them for losses while also factoring in the strength of the competition.
Alex Freeman of the United States celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between the U.S. and Australia at Seattle Stadium on June 19, 2026. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE
This year’s World Cup features an expanded field of 48 teams.
Here’s how to watch the game, including start time, TV information and streaming options.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed on stage at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw on Dec. 3, 2025. (Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
How to Watch United States vs Turkey
When: Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET
Where: Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California.
TV: FOX
Stream: Watch on FOX One and FOX Sports.
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