Greg Price

Dubbed the favorite for weeks and ending the betting day at 2-1 odds, the California-bred colt lived up to the hype.

Armed with social media, and NBC’s support, Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski used their considerable senses of humor and style to draw in more mainstream viewers for the traditionally stiff and fringe-sport of horse racing.

Joakim Noah has reportedly been in contact with Carmelo Anthony ever since his initial All-Star Game pitch, and even reached out after the Bulls were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

There’s no doubt Donald Sterling’s continuing saga, which culminated in his lifetime banish from the NBA by Commissioner Adam Silver, has overshadowed a thrilling series between the Clippers and Warriors. Yet for at least 48 minutes of game time, both teams will be squarely focused on advancing to the second round where they’ll face either Oklahoma City or Memphis.

California Chrome is now at 2-1 odds after starting Saturday at 3-1, while Danza remains at 9-1, and Wicked Strong moves down from 8-1 to 7-1 odds

The two Southern California squads have never met in the playoffs before, but the Ducks have the unfortunate task of facing Kings netminder Jonathan Quick who looks to have re-discovered the form that lifted L.A. to the Stanley Cup two years ago.

Trained by Art Sherman, who could become the oldest trainer to win the Derby at 77, California Chrome is a 3-1 odds-on favorite from the No. 5 post as the final hours tick away before Saturday’s big race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

Memphis forward Zach Randolph was suspended by the NBA for the deciding game for punching Thunder center Steven Adams in the jaw in Game Six. Randolph has powered the Grizzlies offense for 18.2 points per game in the series, and now the offensive load will fall on point guard Mike Conley Jr. and center Marc Gasol.

There are 18 other thoroughbreds with a chance to derail the favored California Chrome at Churchill Downs, including several top contenders and a few longshots who could make a late surge on the final turn of the 1 1/4 track.

Based off the Kentucky Derby’s own process, a perfect Mint Julep should actually start the night before the big race.

During early morning workouts on the day of the race, the 19-thoroughbred field will trot out to temperatures of 49 degrees, but that will rise to 71 degrees and mostly sunny around the 6:24 p.m. post time.

A 140th Kentucky Derby champion will be crowned on Saturday, but much of the attention will turn to the stands and all the unique ideas spectators have come up with for their hats.

Owned by Steve Coburn and Perry and Denise Martin, California Chrome was slotted at the No. 5 post, a position where eight other thoroughbreds have claimed the Run for the Roses.

Orb was last year’s favorite, and he won with a time of 2:02.89 around the 1-1/4-mile dirt track at Churchill Downs

Barcelona's Dani Alves received overwhelming support for his defiant actions against racism, including applause from the Catalans, but that doesn’t mean he will play at Camp Nou next term.

The San Jose Sharks have been in this position before, losing three straight to the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference semifinals back in 2011 only to prevail 3-2 in the final game. Whoever prevails will face the Anaheim Ducks in the second round.

Neither team has made it past the first-round of the playoffs in quite some time. The Avalanche last made the conference semis in 2008 and Minnesota hasn’t moved beyond the first round since their run to the conference finals in 2003.

The young Raptors have put themselves in position to win the franchise’s first playoff series in 13 years behind excellent scoring from guards DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, and Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas dominating his veteran Nets counterparts.

Donald Sterling could sell his team for more than double the record sale price for an NBA franchise.

Manchester United began life without David Moyes in a stunning 4-0 victory over Norwich on Saturday, and it was a rousing success for Ryan Giggs in his first attempt as manager, but its unclear if he’s the long-term option for the club. And until United find themselves a permanent boss with top-notch credentials, signing players could prove difficult.

Barcelona may be very active this summer after the lifting of their transfer ban.

There were reports that some of the Clippers were contemplating a boycott of Sunday’s game, but for now it appears the game will tip-off as scheduled.

Manager Brendan Rodgers will likely have a hefty war chest at his disposal, with some reports indicating a budget between £50 to £60 million and Merseyside appears keen on strengthening nearly every position.

Snoop Dogg, arguably one of the biggest names to bring rap into America’s mainstream and a fixture in hometown L.A.’s sports scene, ripped into Donald Sterling with an expletive-laced video on IG earlier on Saturday

TMZ publishes Donald Sterling criticized his girlfriend for her Instagram pictures with Lakers legend Magic Johnson.

It’s the seventh consecutive title defense for Jon Jones since he won the belt three years ago, while the Brazilian Glover Teixeira tests his 20-match win streak against the best pound-for-pound fighter in all of UFC.

The Grizzlies have now won six of their last seven postseason games against OKC, and could put themselves one game away from a third trip to the Western Conference semis in four years with a victory on Saturday.

The Toffees followed up their 3-2 loss to Crystal Palace with a dominating 2-0 victory over Manchester United that forced the firing of David Moyes, but couldn’t capitalize on their latest chance to overtake Arsenal on the table and wrap a stranglehold on a Champions League spot.

The three points move Giallorossi up to five points back of Juventus on the table, and put pressure on the first-place club ahead of Sunday’s away match against Sassuolo while delaying their third straight title celebration.