Sports

Maximum Effort eyes first career win at West Virginia Derby

NEW CUMBERLAND, W.Va. — Maximum Effort, third in the Iowa Derby and Texas Derby in his last two starts, seeks the first win of his career in the $400,000 Grade III West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Casino, Resort & Races on Sunday. It may seem like a tall order, but he has the right connections. His trainer, Steve Asmussen, holds the West Virginia Derby record of six wins, and his owner, Winchell Thoroughbreds, has won three editions of the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds, all of them with Asmussen. Winchell Thoroughbreds purchased the Maxfield colt for $600,000 at the 2024 ...

Hall of Fame jockey to ride in W.Va. Derby

NEW CUMBERLAND, W.Va. — Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, who is scheduled to ride in the $400,000 Grade III West Virginia Derby and the $200,000 West Virginia Governor’s Stakes on Sunday, August 9, at Mountaineer Casino, Resort & Races, recently reached a major milestone in his long ...

ALTIUS EXCELLENCE

Guardians like new additions

CLEVELAND (AP) — Manager Stephen Vogt lauded the Cleveland Guardians' front office for adding three players during Monday's trade deadline. Now it's up to Vogt and the new-look Guardians to capitalize on the addition of outfielder Jo Adell, first baseman Nathaniel Lowe and pitcher Foster Griffin for a postseason push. "Now it's our turn to go out and let's go perform. Let's go win some games," Vogt said. Adell, Lowe and Griffin were in the clubhouse before Tuesday's game against the New York Mets, introducing themselves to their new teammates and getting up to speed before the ...

SPORTS BRIEFING

ZIPS WANT FANS TO CALL PLAYS AKRON — The University of Akron football team will look to fans to call the plays — at least for one drive. The university will select an "Offensive Coordinator of the Game" for the opportunity to help script the opening drive of the team's home opener with Robert Morris set for 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 12 at InfoCision Stadium. The selected fan will work with Akron head coach and former Morning Journal sports writer Joe Moorhead to design the plays that will open the game. "I'm looking forward to collaborating with the season ticket holder who wins this ...

Beaver Local's Warrick takes second at Star Trax

SALEM — The Salem cross country program’s present and future were showcased Saturday at the 33rd annual Star Trax 5K Night Run. Salem senior Luke Stephens topped the 369-runner field, covering the 3.1-mile race in 16 minutes, 52 seconds. Beaver Local senior Luke Warrick was second. Stephens and Warrick both ran at the state cross country meet last season. Salem freshman Taven Tice was third. Salem sophomore Addison Hopple was first out of 176 female runners in 18:33.1. Former Salem standout Mallory Maher placed second and recent Salem graduate Laura Hovorka was third. Hovorka ...