WELL FANCIED NADAL IS ALL BUSINESS IN TAKING GRADE II, $200,000 SAN VICENTE STAKES BY THREE QUARTERS OF A LENGTH UNDER ROSARIO; TRAINED BY BAFFERT, HE GETS SEVEN FURLONGS IN RAPID 1:22.59 ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 9, 2020)–Despite the fact he was making only his second start and was facing the reigning Eclipse Champion Juvenile Male, Bob Baffert’s Nadal was hammered down to 1-5 favoritism in Sunday’s Grade II, $200,000 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita and he responded with a gutty three quarter length win. Ridden by Joel Rosario, he got seven furlongs in a rapid 1:22.59.Breaking sharply from post position four in a field of six sophomores, Nadal got early pressure from longshot Party Town to his inside and was seriously challenged to his outside around the far turn and to the sixteenth pole by a very tenacious Ginobili.“Today, I told Joel, ‘Don’t get cute, just go,’” said Baffert, who registered his record 10th win in the iconic prep to the Grade I Santa Anita Derby. “‘We can rate him some other day.’ They took it to him, but if we’re gonna get beat, get beat. I trained him light for this, so this is my serious work…I thought he was gonna get beat. He got to gut it out today, so he’s got a good foundation now. This should set him up pretty good and I think we’ll go to the Rebel (Grade II, 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn Park March 14).”A handy 3 ¾ length maiden winner going 6 ½ furlongs here on Jan. 19, Nadal paid $2.60, $2.20 and $2.10.Owned by George Bolton, Arthur Hoyeau, Barry Lipman and Mark Mathiesen, Nadal, a Kentucky-bred colt by Blame who sold for $700,000 at the Fasig Tipton Florida March Selected 2-year-olds in Training Sale, is out of the Pulpit mare Ascending Angel. With the winner’s share of $120,000, he now has earnings of $153,000 while unbeaten in two starts.For his part, Ginobili, who had been idle since running a close fourth in a five furlong turf stakes here on Oct. 6, ran a massive race in defeat, finishing 1 ¼ lengths in front of longshot Fast Enough. Ridden by Abel Cedillo, Ginobili, who is trained by Richard Baltas, was off at 12-1 and paid $6.00 and $4.00.Last early, Fast Enough split horses turning for home and just held off Storm the Court by a neck for third money. Ridden by Tiago Pereira, Fast Enough was off at 14-1 and paid $3.60 to show.Storm the Court, who had been idle since winning the Grade I Breeder’s Cup Juvenile here on Nov. 1, was the second choice at 3-1 and was beaten approximately 2 ½ lengths in a race that he likely needed.Fractions on the race were 21.81, 44.09 and 1:09.05.
Lions set to ignite their attack against the Highlanders
The Lions scored all their points with the boot when they out-muscled the Crusaders 12-3 on Saturday, the impressive display following two lacklustre tour outings in which the visitors combined for just two tries.Seymour, however, is confident that a contest against an expansive Highlanders side combined with the gradual improvement of the touring party will enable the Lions to finally start putting more points on the board ahead of the All Blacks tests.”We would be lying if we said we weren’t a little bit disappointed that we hadn’t crossed the whitewash a few more times,” the 28-year-old Glasgow Warriors wing told reporters in Dunedin.”It is only so long you want to go creating those opportunities and not finishing them off, you can only be pleased for so long about creating them. It is no good having them and not converting,” he added.”But it’s a lot easier to go finishing off those final passes, than it is to go from creating nothing.”Seymour starts in the back three with Jack Nowell and Jared Payne against the 2015 Super Rugby champions after coach Warren Gatland opted for an entirely new starting lineup, and the Scot is looking forward to facing All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo.”That’s the theme for this trip, there is a lot of talent in the back three over here and certainly Naholo fits right into that,” he added.”He is a fantastic player and a very tricky opponent but one we are looking forward to.”These are the challenges both as a team and individually that we knew we were going to face and it’s an exciting opportunity for myself and us as a backline to try to go out and hopefully get the better of them.”Following the Highlanders match, the Lions have two more tour games prior to the first of three tests against the All Blacks in Auckland on June 24.
Bayern Munich signs Nübel for free, the ‘new Manuel Neuer’
Bayern would have raised to Neuer the possibility that next season yield between 10 and 15 meetings to Nübel, to which the German international would have refused in the round.He will cease to be the captain of SchalkeDespite his youth, Nübel became the Schalke captain this season. He arrived at the club in 2015 from Paderborn and, despite having played only half a season with the first team, his experience in the entity served him to receive such an honor.After the announcement of his signing for Bayern, Schalke decided to remove the captaincy from the player, ensuring that he had already warned him that this would happen if he finally decided to leave the club: “We put all the pros and cons on the table and we decided it would be better for the team if it stopped being the captain because it could cause incidents. “ Bayern Munich has made the signing of Alexander Nübel (09/30/1996), Schalke 04 goalkeeper who will arrive free to the Bavarian club next summer and that is already considered by many like the new Manuel Neuer. Der️ Der #FCBayern verpflichtet Alexander Nübel zur Saison 2020/21.– FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) January 4, 2020As the club has announced on its website, Nübel will sign a contract for five seasons and he will begin to share costumes with Neuer from next season, but according to the Bild newspaper, sparks have already begun to jump for the new addition.
Bundesliga* Data updated as of January 4, 2020
Tickets for the Getafe-Ajax will not be sold on game day
LaLiga Santander* Data updated as of February 17, 2020 “Because the match has been declared high risk, tickets will not be sold on game day.” Therefore, tickets cannot be purchased on the same Thursday at Alfonso Pérez Coliseum.Ticket prices range between 35 and 70 euros, the bottom ones being the cheapest (€ 35), followed by the side (€ 40), low grandstand (€ 50) and high grandstand (€ 70). This Thursday, February 20, the round of the round of 32 of the Europa League. Getafe receives Ajax. However, the meeting has been declared “high risk” by the Anti-Violence Committee, reason why the club azulón has decided to make a statement in which tickets cannot be purchased at the stadium at the last minute.
Bolt is great but I gave the race away – Gatlin
BEIJING, China:American Justin Gatlin said he ‘gave the race away’ after losing to Usain Bolt in the final of the men’s 100 metres at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China, yesterday.Gatlin has gone the better part of two years unbeaten, and was considered by many to be the favourite for the title 100m title.However, the American had to settle for silver after Bolt chased him down, caught him and then beat him to the line in a time of 9.79 seconds, with Gatlin clocking 9.80. Trayvon Bromell and Andre De Grasse shared third place after both were timed at 9.92.”At the end of the day, I guess I can say I gave the race away at the last five metres. The momentum, I was leaning forward and I stumbled going across the finish line, but I’m happy to be in the race, happy it came so close, and happy to represent my country,” said Gatlin, who remains the fastest man in the world this year, with a time of 9.74.Gatlin, who lost his form towards the back end of the race as Bolt caught up to him, dismissed suggestions that this was due to the pressure being applied by Bolt, pressure he has barely seen during his spell of dominance.”Pressure? No. I have had pressure since 2011, so it’s not the pressure. It’s just to come and run, and the last five metres; it wasn’t my day today,” he said.”He’s a gamer. He’s a showman, and everyone who steps on the line has to go against him with their A-game.”I love to run. I love to compete. Win or lose, it was a great race against a great guy, and that’s all that matters at the end of the day running against great opponents and representing my country,” added Gatlin.
Northern Health considers switch from fresh to pre-prepared foods
According to Hoefer, there are already five facilities that use pre-prepared food products, but the new meals being tested are of an even higher quality.A decision on the switch is not expected to be made until the fall. A food switch might be coming for residents of Heritage Manor in Fort St. John.The seniors’ residence is currently one of four facilities across the northeast being considered to undergo a change from freshly prepared to pre-packaged meals.- Advertisement -The regional director of support services is currently taste testing and trialing pre-prepared foods at the four facilities under the Northern Health’s jurisdiction, says Mike Hoefer, executive director of capital planning and support services with the health authority.Hoefer says the idea behind the switch comes down to both a personnel issue and knowing that the right products and recipes are being used in those meals. He says if a cook can’t work one day, there may be problems in preparing meals. He also says that, in scratch cooking, there can be difficulties in knowing exactly what products are being used and whether they meet Canada’s Food Guide.Another factor being considered in the switch is the hiring and retention of qualified staff, especially in certain areas in the north. Although Hoefner says it would be only slightly less expensive to purchase pre-prepared meals, the decision isn’t being based solely on costs.He says there is more of a selection available for residents if pre-packaged meals are used and information is more readily available about what ingredients are in those meals. However, he says the taste testing and trials are being done to ensure the pre-packaged dinners meet Northern Health’s core menu and nutritional standards.Advertisement
Blaise Matuidi may quit PSG, confirms dad, amid Chelsea and Man United links
Chelsea and Manchester United target Blaise Matuidi is ‘listening attentively’ for advances from other clubs, according to his father.The midfielder is a long-term target for both Premier League clubs and they have been linked with the 30-year-old ever since it emerged that he could be looking to leave this summer.Matuidi, who started 26 Ligue 1 games last term, almost joined Juventus this time last year but decided to stay put.Now his dad, Faria Matuidi, has revealed that his son is open to offers after being disappointed by an apparent lack of communication from PSG.He told Le Parisien: “A few weeks ago, Blaise was more interested in staying at PSG.“Now the situation is much more mixed. PSG, and in particular their new sporting director [Antero Henrique] have been slow to reveal their intentions.“For that reason we’re listening attentively to the advances of other clubs.” 1 Blaise Matuidi could be on the move this summer 
‘He’s getting exposed’ – Some Chelsea fans are loving Courtois’ poor form
Liverpool’s signings under Michael Edwards – will Minamino be the next big hit? I’m happy Courtois is suffering— Gaza (@abdulaidantata) October 20, 2018 Most Popular Premier League News Green reveals how he confronted Sarri after Chelsea’s 6-0 defeat at Man City The average first-team salaries at every Premier League club in 2019 revealed Meanwhile Thibaut Courtois 🤣😂😂😂🤪🤪 He’s playing for the best club now with his bad luck 🤪 #CFC— Deuptown Pictures (@DeuptownCoin) October 20, 2018 gameday cracker Liverpool news live: Klopp reveals when Minamino will play and issues injury update Sky Sports presenter apologises for remarks made during Neville’s racism discussion whoops tense Boxing Day fixtures: All nine Premier League games live on talkSPORT SORRY Gentle reminder that Courtois went to Real Madrid to win trophies. He’s forgotten how winning matches feels like— . Júan (@_edanto) October 20, 2018 1 How Everton could look in January under Ancelotti with new signings Courtois has cost Madrid 6 points already this season with his individual mistakes. This guy is a joke, most overrated GK in the world— Meech (@Hustler_Futbol) October 20, 2018 Courtois getting exposed for the fraud he is in La-liga. Madrid and Modric getting exposed for the fraud they are without Ronaldo. 💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉🙄💉💉💉— Mr. Jack Robinson (@jackdre02) October 20, 2018
changes latest Oxlade-Chamberlain suffers another setback as Klopp confirms serious injury predicted huge blow He joined Los Blancos for a fee reported to be around £31million and landed himself a six-year deal before claiming he was now training alongside better players.But it’s not gone too well for him since with Real Madrid losing three games and drawing two of their first nine.Courtois himself hasn’t been at his best and could have done better for Levante’s second in Real’s latest defeat.And some Chelsea supporters on social media took great enjoyment in mocking their former player. Thibaut Courtois isn’t enjoying his debut season with Real Madrid too much and it’s got Chelsea supporters laughing.The Belgian goalkeeper did all he could to engineer a move away from Stamford Bridge and got his way in the end. Did Mahrez just accidentally reveal Fernandinho is leaving Man City this summer? on the brighter side, Courtois has carried his bad luck to Real Madrid and it’s a joy to watch.— Doc C (@tweetMOPOL) October 20, 2018 Courtois looks devastated to have conceded against Levante. Courtois 🐍 🐍 God na punish you— Godfred Osei-Tutu (@GodfredOT) October 20, 2018 Real Madrid 0 Levante 2 and Courtois is in goal 😂😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/SRI4qOzePL— Chelsea Insight (@Chelseainsight_) October 20, 2018 Snake 🐍 Courtois are you happy now ? #HalaMadrid— Mahdy Camara™ (@VI_Geezer) October 20, 2018 Courtois must be loving his life at Madrid right now— CHELSEA ALL THE WAY (@nbsulymanFC) October 20, 2018 TOP WORK Guardiola-inspired tactics: Is this how Arsenal will line up under Arteta? Courtois loses again in other news— Andy B ⚽️🏆TopOfTheLeague (@pacesettaCFC) October 20, 2018
Emirates confirms premium economy is coming
Gulf powerhouse Emirates expects to have premium economy in 12 to 18 months as the cabin between business and economy class continues its viral expansion.Carriers which at one stage resisted the introduction of the premium cabin, such as Singapore Airlines, have already joined the fold and US carriers are also succumbing to the trend.The Gulf carriers remain hold-outs but Clark’s confirmation that Emirates will introduce a premium cabin is likely to see that bastion fall also, with Emirates competitors Etihad and Qatar under pressure to mount a competitive response.”We are at the stage of finding what form [premium economy] will take,” Mr Clark told reporters in London on Wednesday in comments confirmed to Reuters by the airline. “I would think within the next year to 18 months, we will have it in the airline, hopefully up and running.”Clark had previously acknowledged the airline was looking at premium economy, which is attractive both to business travellers facing budgetary restrictions and economy passengers wanting to upmarket without paying for business class.The move will also be welcomed by alliance partner Qantas, which was am early adopter of premium economy and has an industry-leading product. Qantas customers flying to European destination other than London currently can travel in premium economy to Dubai but then must switch to economy or business when they connect to Emirates.The news comes as the Gulf carrier saw profitability take a nosedive in its first half to September 30 as the airline recorded a profit of Dhs786m ($US214m), down 75 per cent on the previous corresponding period.Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum attributed the fall to a high US dollar, increased competition and olitical and economic uncertainty that had dampened travel demand in many parts of the world.“The bleak global economic outlook appears to be the new norm, with no immediate resolution in sight,” Sheikh Ahmed said.The airline has invested heavily in a new business class and plans to unveil a new first class next year.It also continues its rapid expansion, growing capacity by 12 per cent in the first half. However, a lower traffic growth of 8 per cent saw the average passenger seat factor fall to 75.3 per cent from 78.3 per cent.
In numbers: South Africa’s global competitiveness
Mary AlexanderThe World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index ranks South Africa as the 56th most competitive economy out of 144 countries, the highest standing on the African continent (the island of Mauritius comes in at 39) and ahead of its Brics developing economy partners India and Brazil.While the country’s competitive rating has slipped from the 50th position it held in 2011/12, it still punches way above its weight in certain areas, particularly the development of its financial market. For the strength of its business auditing and reporting standards, and the regulation of its securities exchanges, South Africa is ranked first in the world.The full rankings are below.GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX – OVERALL INDICATORSPILLARSCORERANKGCI 2014–2015 4.456 Basic requirements (40.0%) 4.389 Institutions 4.536 Infrastructure 4.360 Macroeconomic environment 4.589 Health and primary education 4.0132 Efficiency enhancers (50.0%) 4.443 Higher education and training 4.086 Goods market efficiency 4.732 Labour market efficiency 3.8113 Financial market development 5.47 Technological readiness 3.966 Market size 4.925 Innovation and sophistication factors (10.0%) 4.137 Business sophistication 4.531 Innovation 3.643 GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX – DETAILED INDICATORSPILLAR 1: INSTITUTIONSITEMSCORERANK1.01 Property rights 5.6 201.02 Intellectual property protection 5.3 221.03 Diversion of public funds 2.8 961.04 Public trust in politicians 2.6 901.05 Irregular payments and bribes 4.5 481.06 Judicial independence 5.4 241.07 Favouritism in decisions of government officials 2.6 1041.08 Wastefulness of government spending 2.8 891.09 Burden of government regulation 2.8 1201.10 Efficiency of legal framework in settling disputes 5.2 151.11 Efficiency of legal framework in challenging regs. 4.9 91.12 Transparency of government policymaking 4.5 351.13 Business costs of terrorism 6.0 301.14 Business costs of crime and violence 2.8 1331.15 Organized crime 4.3 991.16 Reliability of police services 3.6 1021.17 Ethical behaviour of firms 4.7 351.18 Strength of auditing and reporting standards 6.7 11.19 Efficacy of corporate boards 6.0 31.20 Protection of minority shareholders’ interests 6.1 21.21 Strength of investor protection, 0–10 (best)* 8.0 10 PILLAR 2: INFRASTRUCTUREITEMSCORERANK2.01 Quality of overall infrastructure 4.5 592.02 Quality of roads 4.9 372.03 Quality of railroad infrastructure 3.4 442.04 Quality of port infrastructure 4.9 462.05 Quality of air transport infrastructure 6.0 112.06 Available airline seat km/week, millions* 1,117.0 282.07 Quality of electricity supply 3.6 992.08 Mobile telephone subscriptions/100 pop.* 147.5 252.09 Fixed telephone lines/100 pop.* 9.2 90 PILLAR 3: MACROECONOMIC ENVIRONMENTITEMSCORERANK3.01 Government budget balance, % GDP* –4.3 973.02 Gross national savings, % GDP* 13.5 1193.03 Inflation, annual % change* 5.8 1023.04 General government debt, % GDP* 45.2 773.05 Country credit rating, 0–100 (best)* 59.1 51 PILLAR 4: HEALTH AND PRIMARY EDUCATIONITEMSCORERANK4.01 Malaria cases/100,000 pop.* 32.5 274.02 Business impact of malaria 5.1 304.03 Tuberculosis cases/100,000 pop.* 1,003.0 1434.04 Business impact of tuberculosis 3.7 1364.05 HIV prevalence, % adult pop.* 17.9 1404.06 Business impact of HIV/AIDS 3.4 1364.07 Infant mortality, deaths/1,000 live births* 33.3 1054.08 Life expectancy, years* 56.1 1294.09 Quality of primary education 2.4 1334.10 Primary education enrolment, net %* 85.0 118 PILLAR 5: HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAININGITEMSCORERANK5.01 Secondary education enrolment, gross %* 101.9 245.02 Tertiary education enrolment, gross %* 19.2 935.03 Quality of the education system 2.2 1405.04 Quality of math and science education 1.9 1445.05 Quality of management schools 5.2 245.06 Internet access in schools 3.2 1175.07 Availability of research and training services 4.5 445.08 Extent of staff training 4.9 18 PILLAR 6: GOODS MARKET EFFICIENCYITEMSCORERANK6.01 Intensity of local competition 5.5 366.02 Extent of market dominance 4.0 486.03 Effectiveness of anti-monopoly policy 5.1 146.04 Effect of taxation on incentives to invest 4.3 266.05 Total tax rate, % profits* 30.1 416.06 No. procedures to start a business* 5 326.07 No. days to start a business* 19.0 906.08 Agricultural policy costs 3.9 656.09 Prevalence of trade barriers 4.8 236.10 Trade tariffs, % duty* 6.0 766.11 Prevalence of foreign ownership 5.1 426.12 Business impact of rules on FDI 4.0 1046.13 Burden of customs procedures 4.1 626.14 Imports as a percentage of GDP* 40.7 856.15 Degree of customer orientation 4.6 676.16 Buyer sophistication 4.0 31 PILLAR 7: LABOUR MARKET EFFICIENCYITEMSCORERANK7.01 Cooperation in labour-employer relations 2.5 1447.02 Flexibility of wage determination 2.7 1397.03 Hiring and firing practices 2.1 1437.04 Redundancy costs, weeks of salary* 9.3 337.05 Effect of taxation on incentives to work 4.5 157.06 Pay and productivity 2.7 1367.07 Reliance on professional management 5.5 217.08 Country capacity to retain talent 3.7 507.09 Country capacity to attract talent 3.9 397.10 Women in labour force, ratio to men* 0.77 84 PILLAR 8: FINANCIAL MARKET DEVELOPMENTITEMSCORERANK8.01 Availability of financial services 6.1 68.02 Affordability of financial services 5.3 218.03 Financing through local equity market 5.4 38.04 Ease of access to loans 3.5 328.05 Venture capital availability 3.2 378.06 Soundness of banks 6.5 68.07 Regulation of securities exchanges 6.4 18.08 Legal rights index, 0–10 (best)* 7 43 PILLAR 9: TECHNOLOGICAL READINESSITEMSCORERANK9.01 Availability of latest technologies 5.5 399.02 Firm-level technology absorption 5.4 299.03 FDI and technology transfer 4.8 509.04 Individuals using Internet, %* 48.9 699.05 Fixed broadband Internet subscriptions/100 pop.* 3.1 899.06 Int’l Internet bandwidth, kb/s per user* 3.7 1269.07 Mobile broadband subscriptions/100 pop.* 25.2 74 PILLAR 10: MARKET SIZEITEMSCORERANK10.01 Domestic market size index, 1–7 (best)* 4.8 2410.02 Foreign market size index, 1–7 (best)* 5.3 3410.03 GDP (PPP$ billions)* 596.5 2510.04 Exports as a percentage of GDP* 31.3 92 PILLAR 11: BUSINESS SOPHISTICATIONITEMSCORERANK11.01 Local supplier quantity 4.8 4711.02 Local supplier quality 4.9 3811.03 State of cluster development 4.2 4411.04 Nature of competitive advantage 3.7 6211.05 Value chain breadth 3.8 6811.06 Control of international distribution 4.4 3511.07 Production process sophistication 4.5 3811.08 Extent of marketing 5.2 2411.09 Willingness to delegate authority 4.5 27 PILLAR 12: INNOVATIONITEMSCORERANK12.01 Capacity for innovation 4.3 3512.02 Quality of scientific research institutions 4.7 3412.03 Company spending on R&D 3.4 4812.04 University-industry collaboration in R&D 4.5 3112.05 Gov’t procurement of advanced tech products 3.0 11212.06 Availability of scientists and engineers 3.5 10212.07 PCT patents, applications/million pop.* 6.5 45