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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Drefong turned what appeared to be a wide-open Kings Bishop into a showcase for his abundant speed, leading his 11 rivals on a merry chase en route to a 3-1/4-length victory over Economic Model in the Grade 1 dash for 3-year-olds Saturday at Saratoga.Drefong, a son of Gio Ponti trained by Bob Baffert for Charles Chu, had won his last three starts by a combined 18-1/4 lengths but was making his stakes debut in the seven-furlong Kings Bishop. He was also venturing out of California for the first time, while racing over a surface that has not always been kind to West Coast shippers.Drefong, the 3-1 favorite, broke well from his outside post and quickly established a clear lead, with jockey Mike Smith able to slow him down to a 23.11-second opening quarter-mile. Drefong disposed of the pace-pressing Noholdingback Bear in early stretch and was never threatened thereafter, increasing his advantage under steady urging to the wire.Economic Model, off a step slowly breaking from the rail, established good early position near the inside, angled four wide at the top of the stretch, and rallied to be second, a half-length in front of the tiring Noholdingback Bear in third. Mohaymen, the favorite for much of the wagering, was never a serious factor while beating only Star Hill, who was vanned off after the race.Drefong, who earned an automatic berth in the Breeders Cup Sprint by virtue of his victory in the Kings Bishop, a Win and Youre In race, completed the distance in 1:21.25 and paid $8.80.This horse has always been incredibly fast, said Baffert. We freshened him up, and this is the race we were looking forward to because were trying to get him to the Breeders Cup Sprint.Baffert, who had to scratch his other entrant in the Kings Bishop, Jazzy Times, due to a bruised foot, said he was delighted when Drefong drew the outside post.We finally drew a decent post here, said Baffert. And I was happy when I saw that first quarter in 23. It was a good pace; it wasnt too taxing on him.Baffert said he was a little concerned with how Drefong might handle the racetrack after winning his last two starts at Santa Anita and training up to the race over the firmer surface at Del Mar.Mike rode the track earlier and said it was a little dry, a little loose for our horses, who are used to feeling their feet rattle, said Baffert. He wasnt accustomed to a track like this. But the really good ones, they handle anything. He looks the part. Hes got a great mind. I always thought he was cut out to be this kind of horse, but he had to prove it today.Custom New York Mets Jerseys . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. Mets Jerseys 2020 . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1. https://www.cheapmetsjerseys.us/ .Y. -- Leading 3-0 with only 11:25 left, the Colorado Avalanche committed a seemingly meaningless penalty to give the New York Islanders a power play. Fake Mets Jerseys . Goals from Jerome Boateng, Franck Ribery and Thomas Mueller extended Bayerns unbeaten run to a record 37 matches. "This record is incredible," Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said. Stitched Mets Jerseys . After slipping from the summit during the week, the Gunners overcame struggling Crystal Palace 2-0 on Sunday thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains second-half brace.WASHINGTON -- The Washington Nationals are in first place and the Pittsburgh Pirates are trying to get there.Two teams who have played well this month will meet on Friday in the first game after the All-Star break and the first of a three-game weekend series in the nations capital.The Pirates had a six-game winning streak snapped July 7 but have won nine of their last 11 games and 12 of their last 16, while the Nationals have won six of their last 10 games.Washington (54-36) is six games ahead of the New York Mets and Miami Marlins in the National League East. The Pirates (46-43) are seven games back of the first-place Chicago Cubs but just a game back of the second-place St. Louis Cardinals.Pittsburgh went 9-19 in June but has played much better this month to get back into the playoff hunt again.One of the bright spots is Pirates rookie infielder Josh Bell, who is 2-for-2 at the plate after he made his big league debut July 8. Did he worry when he would be called up?I really tried not think about that. I feel like in years prior, when I tried to push for a call-up or anything like that, thats when I press and thats when things started to go south for me, Bell told The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. I was just focusing on being the best player I could be on a daily basis, and its working out for me.The Nationals had four players appear in the All-Star game: outfielder Bryce Harper, second baseman Daniel Murphy, catcher Wilson Ramos and pitcher Max Scherzer. The Pirates had two: outfielder Starling Marte and closer Mark Melancon, who received a nice play from Murphy to get out of a jam in the seventh.Washington manager Dusty Baker knew that appearing in the All-Star game would be special for Stephen Strasburg, who grew up in San Diego.How you set up your rotation for the second half is equally important to us, Bakerr said in a telling comment that came a few days before Scherzer took the active roster spot of Strasburg on the National League club.ddddddddddddScherzer threw a scoreless sixth inningon Tuesday for the National League in a 4-2 loss to the American League. That means he could be available to pitch Sunday against the Pirates.The Pirates on Friday will start right-hander Francisco Liriano, who is hardly the pitcher he was in 2013 when he was 16-8 with a 3.02 ERA.This year Liriano, 32, who made his Major League debut in 2005, is 5-8, 5.15 in 17 starts. He has thrown 92 2/3 innings and allowed a league-high 58 walks.Strasburg will make the start against the Pirates Friday.He did not pitch in the All-Star game something the Nationals approached him about. Strasburg was held out of the midsummer classic in order to be ready for the second half as he missed two starts earlier this season while he was on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation from June 26 to July 3.But it really wasnt a decision I had to think over, Strasburg told reporters of not pitching in San Diego.He is 12-0 with a 2.62 ERA in 16 starts this year. Strasburg is the first National League starter to begin a season 12-0 since Rube Marquard in 1912.He made his big league debut on June 8, 2010 against the Pirates, also at Nationals Park, and struck out 14 batters in seven innings, including the last seven.Last year, on June 20, Scherzer no-hit the Pirates at Nationals Park after he came within one strike of a perfect game.Strasburg last pitched on July 8 at New York and allowed just one run in seven innings in a win over the Mets. The next day Scherzer also allowed just one run in seven innings to down New York. ' ' '