Author: staff

Sports

Greyhound racing nearing its end in the US after long slide

DUBUQUE, Iowa — Vera Rasnake laughed as she led a trio of barking, jostling dogs into the Iowa Greyhound Park, but her smile faded when she acknowledged that after 41 years of being around the sleek animals, her sport was teetering on extinction.After the end of a truncated season in Dubuque in May, the track here will close. By the end of the year there will only be two tracks left in the country.Advertisement“It’s very hard for me to see this,” Rasnake said.It’s been a long slide for greyhound racing, which reached its peak in the 1980s when there were more than 50 tracks across 19 states. Since then, increased concerns about how the dogs are treated along with an explosion of gambling options have nearly killed a sport that gained widespread appeal about a century ago.AdvertisementA racing association found that betting on greyhounds plunged from $3.5 billion in 1991 to about $500 million in 2014. Since then, many more tracks have closed.In some states like the dog-racing mecca of Florida in 2021, it was voter initiatives that ended the sport at the state’s dozen tracks. In others like Iowa, state officials allowed casinos to end subsidies that had kept greyhound racing alive as interest declined.“Do I think the industry is dying? Yes,” said Gwyneth Anne Thayer, who has written a history of greyhound racing. But “it’s happening way faster than I thought it would.”Greyhounds compete in a race at the Iowa Greyhound Park, April 16, 2022, in Dubuque, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)The Dubuque track closure and the end of racing in West Memphis, Arkansas, this December will leave racing only in West Virginia, where tracks in Wheeling and near Charleston operate with subsidies from casino revenue.For some animal welfare groups, the industry’s collapse is the culmination of decades of work to publicize allegations of greyhound mistreatment. The group GREY2K was formed in 2001 and Carey Theil, the organization’s executive director, said he feels a sense of accomplishment now that the sport’s end seems within reach.“This has become one of the signature animal welfare debates of our time,” Theil said.GREY2K, the Humane Society and other groups have long argued that greyhound racing was cruel, including its longtime practice of killing dogs that weren’t deemed top racers, using drugs to enhance their performance, confining them for long periods and subjecting animals to the risk of injury on the racetrack.Industry supporters note there now is a huge demand to adopt retired racers and deny that the other problems are widespread. They also contend that some don’t understand the love greyhounds have for running.AdvertisementOn opening day at the Iowa Greyhound Park in Dubuque, spectators packed into a spacious room that overlooked the track, sipping beers and mixed drinks as they pored over racing statistics before placing bets at kiosks or with attendants. They expressed disappointment that the track would close, lamenting the loss of an entertainment option in Dubuque, a city of about 60,000 known for its stately brick buildings and church steeples built on hills overlooking the Mississippi River.Peggy Janiszewski and her friend Robin Hannan have for years been driving about three hours from the Chicago area to Dubuque to watch the racing. They typically bet only a few dollars on each race but are more interested in watching the dogs than counting their winnings.“They’re beautiful. Like works of art,” Janiszewski said.Bruce Krueger said he has been making the 170-mile (274-kilometer) drive from Milwaukee to Dubuque. He doesn’t believe the dogs are mistreated.“I know some trainers, and they treat them like kings and queens,” Krueger said.General Manager Brian Carpenter was 16 when he started working at the track in its second year and has remained 36 seasons until this, its final year.AdvertisementHe recalls the excitement when the track opened in 1985, a time when Iowa was mired in farm bankruptcies and much of Dubuque was struggling. Back then, thousands of people would attend the races, with buses of gamblers arriving every weekend from Chicago and Milwaukee.“It was an exciting time and the track offered good jobs,” he said.Opening day this year drew at least 1,000 people but smaller crowds are typical, especially on weeknights.The Dubuque track was helped along by city and state funding, and after Iowa and other states began allowing casinos, the Dubuque operation was expanded to include its own casino.Thayer’s book, “Going to the Dogs,” describes a sport with a colorful and often tumultuous history. From its beginning in the 1920s following development of the mechanical lure, the industry was continually pushing to allow for legalized betting state-by-state and to attract attention, with help from Hollywood celebrities, athletes and beauty pageant competitors.At times, the sport drew more spectators than its more prominent rival horse racing. While considered seedy by some, it was mainstream entertainment for decades, Thayer said.Advertisement“People don’t realize how normalized it was in American culture for a long time,” she said.Greyhound racing also is held in other countries, including Australia, Great Britain, Ireland, Mexico and Vietnam, but it is facing some of the same problems apparent in the U.S.Although greyhound racing in the U.S. will be confined only to West Virginia, that state seems intent on retaining the sport, said Steve Sarras, president of the West Virginia Kennel Owners Association. The state’s two tracks run races five-days a week year-round.Sarras said West Virginia legislators made repeated visits to his kennel and others to inspect conditions, and ultimately were confident the dogs are well treated.“When you see it firsthand, you cannot fake how happy a dog is,” he said.

Sports

Illinois basketball is retooling after key departures but has the No. 7 recruiting class — including Skyy Clark — incoming

No Big Ten men’s basketball team has won as many league games the last three seasons as Illinois.Coach Brad Underwood has resurrected the Illini from Power Five purgatory, compiling a 44-16 record in league play during that span. Illinois capped the run with a shared Big Ten regular-season title before another second-round NCAA Tournament exit in March.AdvertisementWins, however, still don’t provide immunity from college basketball’s ever-revolving landscape, in which successful programs still hemorrhage stars who leave early for the NBA or via the transfer portal.Star center Kofi Cockburn was no exception, announcing April 20 his intention to go pro instead of returning for a fourth year in Champaign.Advertisement“Came here as a young guy, hadn’t been in a high school All-Star Game, and leaves here as a two-time All-American,” Underwood said. “One of the most celebrated players in our history. His jersey will hang here.”Gone, too, are fifth-year players Trent Frazier and Da’Monte Williams, who became the lifeblood of the program as Illinois endured two losing campaigns before Ayo Dosunmu and Cockburn stepped on campus.Wily point guard Andre Curbelo transferred to St. John’s after an injury-plagued year and sharpshooting graduate transfer Alfonso Plummer is out of eligibility after hitting 98 3-pointers on a 40.8% clip.And Jacob Grandison opted not to return to Illinois, leaving roughly 85% of last season’s scoring needing to be replaced.But it helps to bring in the No. 7 recruiting class in the country, according to the 247Sports.com rankings.Top-30 point guard Skyy Clark is the highest-rated recruit to land at Illinois in the modern era.Monteverde Academy’s Skyy Clark makes a pass against IMG Academy during a game at the Hoophall Classic, Jan. 17, 2022, in Springfield, Mass. (Gregory Payan/AP)“There was a lot about Illinois that made it feel like the perfect place,” Clark told the Tribune. “It really started with my relationship with Coach Tim (Anderson). I’ve known him since eighth grade, he was my first offer when he was at DePaul.”Underwood exudes confidence.Advertisement“We’ve got guys with natural leadership abilities who are ready to blossom into that (leadership) role,” Underwood said. “A guy that we just signed (Clark) is not afraid of that role. He’s done that his whole life. He’s already reaching out and connecting with guys.”Clark is coming off an ACL tear from last summer. He initially signed with Kentucky but obtained a release from his letter of intent in March before committing to Illinois.Although Clark has been back in action for months, he said the reputation of Illinois strength and conditioning coach Adam Fletcher — including bulking up stars such as Cockburn and Dosunmu — was a crucial factor in his decision.“I met Coach Underwood at the house visit, and what really did it all together was Coach Fletch,” Clark said. “I feel like he’s the best in the world at what he does. Coming off my ACL, I haven’t really been 100% body-wise, like athleticism, strength and everything. I believe this summer he’s going to get me back to my old self and maybe even better.”Underwood won’t hesitate to throw his new class — arguably his most talented yet — into the fire. At least a couple of challenging matchups await the new-look Illini in Las Vegas in November in the Roman Main Event, an early season tournament that will feature Baylor, UCLA and Virginia.“The one thing you know I’m not going to do is back off our schedule,” Underwood said April 20. “We’re going to play an elite schedule.”AdvertisementClark isn’t backing down from the high expectations that have surrounded the program in recent years, saying he and his fellow freshmen relish the challenge.“The thing about us is we love the expectation,” Clark said. “We love the pressure that’s being put on us and we all know we’re going to work super hard this summer to prove not only to other people — most importantly, to ourselves — that we can really do some damage.”Illinois adds three other top-110 recruits — including Thornton star forward Ty Rodgers — this year, along with Clark.“Ty Rodgers is one of those guys that’s one of my favorite players on the circuit,” Underwood said. “He impacts winning at the highest level. There’s nothing he can’t do. Physically, he’s got a body that allows him to be ready and play multiple positions.”Thornton’s Ty Rodgers (20) goes through Kankakee’s Naz Hill (15) and Pierre Allen (5) on his way to the basket during the Class 3A Marian Catholic Sectional semifinals in Chicago Heights on March 2, 2022. (John Smierciak / Daily Southtown)Combo guard Jayden Epps is the top recruit fromNorth Carolina, hailing from high-profile AAU side Combine Academy, and shooting guard Sencire Harris starred at St. Vincent-St. Mary, the Akron, Ohio, school where LeBron James burst into national fame.AdvertisementClark and Epps could see serious time as the team’s primary ball handler, while Harris projects to be a strong Power Five guard. Underwood said he wouldn’t be surprised if he ultimately calls some sets for Rodgers, adding that Rodgers can guard four of the five positions on the court.“I thought he was the best defender on the (Nike Elite Youth Basketball League) circuit last summer,” Underwood said. “And I just love his passing. We haven’t had that physical size and presence in an elite passer and guy who can guard multiple positions at 6 (feet), 6 inches, 6 (feet), 7 (inches).”Clark and Rodgers played AAU together in middle school at Bates Fundamentals in the EYBL. Clark said that he quickly hit it off with Epps and Harris in a group chat the four recruits made.The Nashville, Tenn., native, who played his high school ball at Florida powerhouse Montverde Academy, is a proven scorer, distributor and ball handler.And though it could take some time to adjust to the next level, Clark seems focused on doing what he needs to in order to make a strong impact immediately.Advertisement“I don’t really go out much,” Clark said. “I’m at the gym or I’m at home with my family. I’m a simple man. I love to fish. I love to thrift shop.”Chicago native Terrence Shannon Jr. gave the Illini their first high-profile transfer portal addition, announcing his commitment Friday. The 6-6 wing averaged 10.4 points per game at Texas Tech last season and has two years of eligibility remaining.The Illini sought several talented transfer options, including former DePaul guard David Jones. The portal has seen virtually nonstop action since the tournament ended, with teams in hot pursuit of proven players.Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.AdvertisementThe Illini are hopeful former Baylor forward Dain Dainja — who has played just nine minutes of college basketball but is a former top-100 prospect — can slot into the frontcourt and provide a valuable and distinctive skill set after Cockburn’s departure.“Dain has been part of a national championship locker room,” Underwood said.Forward Coleman Hawkins finished in excellent form after struggling to establish a role in the first half of the season. He averaged 5.9 points and 4.3 rebounds in 19 minutes per game. Guards RJ Melendez and Luke Goode also played contributing roles well, especially in February and March, and were pluses on the defensive end after some early hiccups.“The talent level is probably better than it has ever been,” Underwood said. “I love that piece of it.”Gavin Good is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.

Sports

Five storylines to watch for the 2022 Kentucky Derby

Crowds will be back in full to watch 20 of the best 3-year-old thoroughbreds in the world race for the most coveted title in their sport: Kentucky Derby champion.Few sporting events combine the spectacle and condensed excitement we will see from Louisville on May 7. But these are unusual times for the Derby, coming off controversial results in two of the past three runnings and now marked by the absence of the sport’s biggest star, suspended trainer Bob Baffert.AdvertisementFrom the competition to the messier side of racing, here are five stories to watch as we prepare for the first leg of the Triple Crown:We will not see Bob Baffert’s signature white hair and sunglasses this year, 12 months after Baffert-trained Medina Spirit crossed the finish line first in the 2021 Kentucky Derby only to lose his victory because of a positive test for the anti-inflammatory drug betamethasone. (John Minchillo/AP)Baffert was the brightest star in the Derby firmament for a quarter century. Now, he’s persona non grata at Churchill Downs, suspended from the track that served as a stage for some of his grandest victories and for innumerable rap sessions with fans and reporters outside his Barn 33. We will not see the signature white hair and sunglasses this year, 12 months after Baffert-trained Medina Spirit crossed the finish line first in the 2021 Derby only to lose his victory because of a positive test for the anti-inflammatory drug betamethasone. Baffert has spent recent months embroiled in legal battles with the Kentucky racing officials who barred him. Meanwhile, the story took on a more tragic tone when Medina Spirit died suddenly in December.AdvertisementBaffert is now the face of racing’s perpetual struggle to police medication, just as surely as he was the face of Triple Crown glory in 2015 and 2018. There are plenty of people in the sport who think that’s unfair, who argue that Baffert was more careless in his handling of medication protocols than reckless in his pursuit of victory. But officials in Kentucky and New York, where he’s facing a possible two-year suspension, have lined up against him, and he won’t be part of the Triple Crown this year, given that Maryland honors suspensions from other states.So, will Baffert be out of sight, out of mind when a new group of Derby horses break on Saturday? Not so fast. Two 3-year-olds that he trained, Taiba and Messier, will run under the guidance of his former assistant, Tim Yakteen, piloted by a pair of riders, Mike Smith and John Velazquez, whom Baffert favored for big races. Both are serious contenders coming off their duel in the April 9 Santa Anita Derby. They’ll enter with the two highest Beyer speed figures (a measure of pace that accounts for distance, speed of competition and track conditions) in the field. If either wins, Baffert will be central to the story of the 2022 Derby, whether race organizers want him to be or not.Joel Rosario, top left, guides Epicenter to victory in the Grade II Risen Star Stakes horse race at Fair Grounds in New Orleans on Feb. 19. (Amanda Hodges Weir/AP)No trainer in North American history has won more races than Steve Asmussen, who has guided champions in the Preakness, the Belmont Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup. The Derby is the one major hole in his Hall of Fame resume, and he might never get a better chance to fill it than he’ll have with Epicenter, winner of the March 26 Louisiana Derby.Trainers often talk about the importance of versatility in the Derby, which presents unusual challenges because of the large field and the unfamiliar distance for these still-developing horses. Well, Epicenter has won from the front and he’s won stalking the lead. Handicappers used to be skeptical of the Louisiana Derby as a prep race because of the six-week gap between it and the Kentucky Derby, but that’s no longer an unusual wait time for these horses. Epicenter has looked sharp in his workouts at Churchill Downs. His rider, Joel Rosario, is one of the best.All of that said, Zandon presents many of the same virtues. He made his case for favorite status by roaring from the back of the pack to pass Smile Happy (another gifted Derby contender) in the April 9 Blue Grass Stakes. He has also run effectively sitting closer to the lead, which he might have to do in the Derby, a race that has not favored late chargers. His trainer, Chad Brown, has won four Eclipse Awards as the best in his field, but like Asmussen, he’s looking for his first Derby victory. His rider, Flavien Prat, was fifth in earnings last year, four spots behind Rosario.Epicenter beat Zandon in the Feb. 19 Risen Star Stakes and has been the presumptive Derby favorite since he won his final prep in commanding fashion, but plenty of handicappers think Zandon is capable of a bigger step forward. It’s a compelling matchup.No one is hotter than Brad Cox, who has won the last two Eclipse Awards as most outstanding trainer. The Kentucky native picked up his first Derby win, albeit in undesired fashion, when Medina Spirit was disqualified. (Charlie Riedel / AP)No one is hotter than Cox, who has won the last two Eclipse Awards as most outstanding trainer. The Kentucky native picked up his first Derby win, albeit in undesired fashion, when Medina Spirit was disqualified. He also won the 2021 Belmont Stakes with Essential Quality.Cox will likely have three horses, Cyberknife, Tawny Port and Zozos, in this Derby field. Cyberknife is the most accomplished of the bunch. His signature win came in the April 2 Arkansas Derby, a prep race that did not end up impressing many handicappers. But Cox said the performance made good on high-end talent Cyberknife had demonstrated in training, and it’s difficult to dismiss the trainer’s optimism, given his results from the last two years.AdvertisementZozos, a speed horse who might take the early lead, and Tawny Port, winner of the April 16 Lexington Stakes, have also improved, giving Cox a much better Derby hand than anyone expected a few months ago.Mo Donegal, with Joel Rosario, made his case as a contender by charging from last place to take the April 9 Wood Memorial, New York’s signature Derby prep race. (Viola Jasko/AP)Few trainers do a better job getting their horses to the Derby than Todd Pletcher, who will be looking for his first win in the race since 2017. Mo Donegal made his case as a contender by charging from last place to take the April 9 Wood Memorial, New York’s signature Derby prep race. The Pletcher-trained colt looked sensational in the stretch as he ran down Early Voting, suggesting potential he had not previously demonstrated. He will face a steeper climb, trying to win with that style against a larger, more talented field at Churchill Downs.Pletcher’s other Derby horse, Charge It, does not have a signature win on his resume, but he took on a huge leap in competition to finish second in the April 2 Florida Derby. He’ll be an intriguing longer shot on Derby day.The horse that beat him in Florida, White Abarrio, will likely reside with Mo Donegal in the second tier of Derby contenders. He has won four times in five career starts for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. and his tactical speed, backed up by some excellent workout times, should make him a good fit for the Derby.Todd Herl of the Churchill Downs sign shop, top, removes the name of Medina Spirit before putting up Mandaloun in the paddock at Churchill Downs on Feb. 22 in Louisville, Kentucky. Medina Spirit was stripped of the victory in last year’s Kentucky Derby and Mandaloun was declared the winner after a ruling by state racing stewards. (Michael Clevenger/AP)When was the last “normal” Kentucky Derby? Maybe 2018, when Baffert-trained Justify kicked off his Triple Crown run? Even that race was subsequently complicated by news that the horse had tested positive for the anti-nausea drug scopolamine at his final prep race, but the news did not break until more than a year later.Since then, we watched a disqualification decide the 2019 Derby. We lived through a reshuffled Triple Crown, with a Labor Day weekend Derby serving as the second leg, during the pandemic year of 2020. We saw Medina Spirit’s 2021 victory called into question and ultimately overturned because of his positive test for betamethasone. In recent months, the headlines around Baffert’s suspension and legal battles have arguably overshadowed the prep races for this year’s Derby.AdvertisementSo much noise, so little of it having to do with the best 3-year-old thoroughbreds in the country. It will not be easy for the 2022 race to transcend this context, but the Derby is an event built on the optimism of owners and trainers who yearn to test their most gifted young athletes on the largest possible stage. It never stops attracting fans, bettors and horsemen, despite the gloom that often pervades the sport.148th KENTUCKY DERBYSaturday, 6:57 p.m.TV: Ch. 11

Lifestyle

Ask Amy: Lovebirds encounter a serious red light

Dear Amy: My husband and I were lovebirds in college. We had so much in common!Unfortunately, an autoimmune disease hit him when he was in good shape and he lost most of the sensation in his body.AdvertisementAt the age of 37 he worked with an unusual paleo diet and conducted lots of internet research. He is now stronger and healthier than before the disease hit.Now he makes his own kale chips, toothpaste, and deodorant.AdvertisementFrankly, I feel like I can’t keep up.He thinks I’m not thin enough, while my doctor compliments my physique.To avoid shaming, I hide snacks and eat forbidden foods like oatmeal in the basement.I thought that helping him to pay for and set up a red-light sauna in the basement was supportive and cute, and now I am pressured to sit in it and absorb a health treatment I know nothing about.I’ll admit it, I haven’t watched the same YouTube videos he has.Had I met my husband now, with all the health stuff, I wouldn’t have continued the relationship, due to these large differences between us.When I expressed my feelings about this obsession he threw “eBay shopping” back in my face.I have a “you do you” policy, but I’m beginning to think it isn’t a two-way street.AdvertisementI don’t want a divorce, just a reverse lever.– Health NuttyDear Nutty: You don’t seem to be trying to force your husband to join you in your eBay habit, but he seems to have the power (or you’ve granted it) to coax you into a red-light sauna, which is currently having something of a moment with its promises to cure just about every ailment.Your habits are furtive, and while you claim to have a “you do you” philosophy, if you accept his right to eat and do what he wants, then why don’t you accept your own right to eat and do what you want?In short, if you don’t want to eat and spend time in your basement’s red-light district, then take your oatmeal upstairs.I suggest that you apply the “reverse lever” to yourself.AdvertisementContinue to accept and support his health journey – as you have been. And make a choice to take good care of yourself in your own way.Health evangelists can be hard to live with. If he bullies you about your body or hectors you over your own confident personal choices, you should find a counselor who might be able to mediate.Dear Amy: I’ve been hired on a new team where I work very closely with “Bruce.”We are assigned group projects and submit our work together.The problem? He’s an idiot. He’s a nice guy, but is sloppy in his work, incompetent, irresponsible, and can’t manage priorities and deadlines.We are both new and I’m afraid his poor work will reflect badly on me.AdvertisementI don’t want to hurt anyone, but I’m wondering how long to wait before I approach my supervisor.I find myself managing him, though we have the same job title.What should I do?!– Worried WorkerDear Worried: If possible, wait until you’ve completed one project together. If you continue to believe the quality of your work could be compromised by “Bruce’s” incompetence, you should go to your supervisor and ask to be reassigned.You should be able to do this without throwing him under the bus: “Bruce and I have very different work habits and capabilities. I believe I could achieve much more and be more productive working with someone else. Would that be possible?”AdvertisementDear Amy: When people write to you, would you be willing to change the word “girl” to “woman” or “young woman” when people refer to adults in their questions?Calling a woman a “girl” is demeaning and sexist. You have a powerful, feminist voice. I wish you would tell the world that you are doing this.I think it would be eye-opening for a lot of folks.Ask AmyDailyNo-nonsense advice for better living delivered to your inbox every morning. For a limited time, sign up for the Ask Amy newsletter and get the book “Ask Amy: Essential Wisdom from America’s Favorite Advice Columnist” for $5.– Another AmyDear Amy: I agree that referring to women as “girls” is demeaning and sexist. And yet, most often (at least in the questions sent to me), other women are using these terms, referring to: “girls’ night out,” “girlfriends” “a girl I work with,” etc.I believe this language reveals the basic attitude of the writer.AdvertisementOverall, I appreciate the way people tell their own stories, and I like to leave these stories in the voice of the writer.Got a question for Amy? Enter it here and we’ll send it to her.Sign up here to receive the Ask Amy newsletter to get advice e-mailed to your inbox every morning, and for a limited time — get the book “Ask Amy: Essential Wisdom from America’s Favorite Advice Columnist” for $5.©2021 Amy Dickinson.