分类： sports

In a remarkable display of equine athleticism, the four-year-old bay filly Belleza Gris secured a commanding maiden victory at Caymanas Park on Saturday. Conditioned by trainer Patrick Lynch and expertly ridden by jockey Jerome Innis, the filly completed the five-furlong straight course (1,000m) in a swift 1:02.2, winning by an impressive 4¼-length margin.

The performance marked a dramatic turnaround from her disappointing sixth-place debut finish on November 15, 2025. Breaking sharply from the gate, Belleza Gris immediately positioned herself among the frontrunners, engaging in an early battle for the lead with contenders including Girlythebutcher (ridden by Javonne Prince), Boasey Girl (Shaheem Girl), Sweet Bern (Raddesh), and Lady Katghara (Joy Haynes).

Demonstrating both exceptional pace and stamina, the filly began to separate herself from the competition as she crossed the dummy rails and transitioned onto the main track. Her powerful stride carried her to a decisive victory ahead of second-place finisher Boasey Girl and third-place Sweet Bern, showcasing the potential that had been unrealized in her initial outing.

Caymanas Park witnessed a spectacular display of horsemanship on Saturday, December 20, 2025, as emerging training prodigy Peter-John Parsard secured a remarkable triple victory. This outstanding achievement marks his 31st seasonal win, firmly establishing his fifth-place standing in the competitive trainers’ championship.

The day’s triumph commenced with Race 3, where Parsard’s charge Uncle Peck, skillfully ridden by jockey Dane Dawkins, dominated the $780,000 Restricted Allowance IV event. The native-bred four-year-old demonstrated exceptional speed, covering the 7½ furlong (1,500m) distance in 1:35.4 minutes and securing a commanding 6¼-length victory ahead of Princess Cataleya and Noble Sovereign.

Parsard’s winning streak continued in Race 6 with Feeling Free, piloted by Jereau Stewart. The promising three-year-old native-bred colt captured the $1.05-million Restricted Maiden Condition race, mastering the four-furlong (800m) sprint in 47.4 seconds and finishing 2½ lengths clear of rivals Runaway Bay and Lauren’s Secret.

The training sensation completed his hat-trick in Race 7 with I’m Outstanding, ridden by Bebeto Harvey. The impressive colt delivered a stunning six-length victory in the $1.1-million Restricted Allowance II contest, covering the seven furlong (1,400m) course in 1:28.4 minutes and outperforming stablemate Roaring Kitty and Four Thirty.

This exceptional triple victory underscores Parsard’s rapidly growing reputation as one of horse racing’s most promising young talents, demonstrating strategic expertise in saddle preparation and race management that belies his relatively brief training career.

Connecticut United FC 2 has made a landmark appointment by naming former Jamaican international defender Shavar Thomas as their inaugural head coach ahead of the club’s 2026 MLS NEXT Pro debut. The 44-year-old football pioneer brings exceptional credentials to the newly formed franchise, becoming the first head coach in the team’s history since its establishment in 2022.

Thomas boasts an impressive football pedigree that uniquely positions him for this pioneering role. His extensive playing career spanned from 1999 to 2012, during which he earned 52 caps for the Jamaican national team while serving as captain of the Reggae Boyz. His professional journey included significant spells with multiple Major League Soccer clubs, including Los Angeles Galaxy, Philadelphia Union, Chivas USA, FC Dallas, and Montreal Impact.

The Jamaican’s connection to Connecticut runs deep, having previously attended the University of Connecticut where he played for the Huskies. His collegiate performance earned him the number 10 selection in the 2003 MLS Draft by Dallas Burn, launching his professional career.

Beyond his playing accomplishments, Thomas has established himself as a proven tactical leader in the coaching realm. He previously guided Portmore United to consecutive Jamaican Premier League championships in 2018 and 2019, additionally securing the Caribbean Club Champion title in 2019. Most recently, he helmed the national team of Turks and Caicos, further expanding his international coaching experience.

Thomas’s appointment represents a strategic move for Connecticut United FC 2 as they build toward their inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season while advancing the organization’s broader ambition of eventually bringing Major League Soccer to the state of Connecticut.

MOUNT MAUNGANUI, New Zealand — In a candid post-match assessment, West Indies Test Captain Roston Chase expressed profound personal disappointment regarding his individual performance during his team’s 2-0 series defeat against New Zealand. The Black Caps sealed their decisive victory with a commanding 323-run triumph on the final day of the third Test at Bay Oval, following an earlier draw in Christchurch and a win in Wellington.

Having assumed captaincy responsibilities last March, Chase has now presided over eight matches without a single victory, recording seven losses and one draw. The dejected skipper was observed watching solemnly from the sidelines as New Zealand players celebrated their comprehensive series win with families on the field.

Chase’s introspection focused particularly on his failure to translate leadership rhetoric into on-field performance. ‘My contribution was substantially below par for the standards I maintain,’ acknowledged Chase. ‘While my verbal leadership and team encouragement remained strong, I fundamentally failed to deliver the exemplary performance that inspires confidence and provides a template for success.’

Statistically, Chase’s batting performance reached historically concerning levels with merely 42 runs across six innings, averaging seven runs per appearance. This represents the second-lowest output in Test cricket history for a captain dismissed six times in a series. His off-spin bowling yielded just three wickets at an average of 119, despite favorable pitch conditions for spin bowling at Bay Oval.

Despite personal shortcomings, Chase identified positive developments within the squad. The bowling unit maintained persistent effort throughout the series, while batsmen achieved three centuries across the three Tests—a significant improvement over recent performances. Emerging all-rounder Justin Greaves, whose double century secured the draw in Christchurch, has expressed confidence that the West Indies can recapture their former glory through continued development and consolidation of these positive elements.

LONDON, United Kingdom — Following England’s devastating third consecutive defeat in the ongoing Ashes series, former national cricket captain Andrew Strauss has issued a stark warning against simplistic managerial changes. The cricketing icon, who remains the last England skipper to secure an away Ashes victory in 2010/11, contends that removing coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes would merely address symptoms rather than cure the disease.

Strauss’s perspective carries significant weight given his dual experience as both a triumphant captain and England’s director of cricket from 2015-2018. His analysis reveals a troubling pattern: England has suffered 16 losses and managed only two draws in Australian Tests since their last series victory.

In a comprehensive social media post, Strauss articulated the cyclical nature of England’s Australian disappointments: “Another ambitious set of England cricketers made the journey to Australia, full of hope and optimism, only for their dreams to come crashing down around them after only 11 days of cricket.”

The former administrator emphasized that while McCullum and Stokes would understandably face intense scrutiny—as did their predecessors Ashley Giles, Chris Silverwood, Andy Flower, and Duncan Fletcher after previous failures—the root causes extend far beyond leadership decisions. “None of the above are responsible for England losing so incredibly consistently in Australia since 1986/87,” Strauss asserted.

His commentary suggests that England’s fundamental high-performance system requires transformation, echoing recommendations from his previously commissioned review after the 2021/22 Ashes defeat. That extensive examination proposed structural changes including reduced first-class matches, domestic competition restructuring, and enhanced elite development incentives—recommendations largely rejected by English counties.

Strauss concluded with a compelling challenge to the cricket establishment: “If we are genuinely serious about changing this depressingly one-sided story then we need to look beyond sacking England coaches and captains and ask whether we are genuinely willing to make the changes necessary to break the trend.”

Jamaican national team defender Mason Holgate has publicly shouldered responsibility for the Reggae Boyz’s failure to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, acknowledging the squad’s significant underperformance despite being heavily favored in their qualifying group.

The team’s disappointing campaign concluded with a mere 11 points from six matches, including a critical goalless draw against World Cup-bound Curaçao at Kingston’s National Stadium last month. This result forced Jamaica into a precarious position, requiring victory in March’s inter-confederation playoffs to secure their tournament berth.

Holgate, who has earned 10 international caps, expressed profound disappointment during his TalkSport interview. He emphasized that on paper, Jamaica’s roster—featuring numerous accomplished players competing at high levels—should never have found themselves in this predicament. The defender stated unequivocally that the players must accept accountability for their collective failure to deliver results.

The Everton defender characterized this qualifying cycle as Jamaica’s optimal opportunity to secure automatic qualification, noting the unusual circumstances of the 2026 World Cup being hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada—all traditionally dominant CONCACAF teams that would typically claim automatic spots. Holgate suggested the team might have initially taken this advantage for granted despite recognizing the nation’s overwhelming desire for World Cup participation.

In the aftermath of the Curaçao draw, Head Coach Steve McClaren resigned abruptly after just 16 months in charge. Holgate acknowledged the emotional turmoil in the dressing room following McClaren’s announcement, while maintaining that the players’ performances ultimately forced the coach’s departure. The defender insisted that regardless of tactical decisions or roster selections, the squad possessed sufficient quality to achieve automatic qualification.

Under interim leadership of Rudolph Speid and Miguel Coley, Jamaica now faces a challenging playoff path against New Caledonia (Oceania) followed by either DR Congo or Nigeria (Africa). Holgate remains confident in the team’s ability to rectify their previous failures, acknowledging the difficulty of these matchups while emphasizing the squad’s belief in their quality to ultimately secure World Cup qualification.

LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom — Liverpool’s attacking prospects have suffered a severe setback with the confirmation that star striker Alexander Isak faces an extended period out of action. Manager Arne Slot revealed on Tuesday that the Swedish international sustained a fractured fibula during what he described as a “reckless challenge” from Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven during last Saturday’s Premier League encounter.

The injury occurred in the act of scoring Liverpool’s opening goal in their eventual 2-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The club issued an official statement on Monday confirming Isak had undergone successful surgery to address an ankle injury that included the fibula fracture.

Slot expressed significant disappointment regarding the prognosis, stating: “It’s going to be a long injury, spanning several months. This represents a substantial disappointment for Alexander personally and consequently for our squad as well.” The Dutch manager was particularly critical of the challenge from his compatriot Van de Ven, remarking that similar tackles would likely result in serious injuries in the majority of cases.

This development marks the latest chapter in what has been a challenging adaptation period for Isak since his British record £125 million transfer from Newcastle United on deadline day in September. His arrival at Anfield was hampered by match fitness concerns following the protracted negotiation process, and he subsequently battled a groin injury that further delayed his integration into the squad.

Slot acknowledged these difficulties, noting: “This has been a challenging period for Alexander. When joining a new club, players naturally want to immediately demonstrate their qualities, but circumstances made this impossible.” Despite limited appearances—just three goals in 16 matches across all competitions—the manager believes Isak was showing signs of approaching the form that made him so successful at Newcastle.

The timing compounds existing selection headaches for Liverpool, who are already without Mohamed Salah due to Africa Cup of Nations commitments and face doubts over Cody Gakpo’s availability for Saturday’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers. With attacking options severely limited, only Hugo Ekitike—enjoying a rich scoring vein with five goals in his last four games—and seldom-used Federico Chiesa remain as fit senior forwards.

This situation may prompt Liverpool to accelerate their January transfer window activity, though Slot remained noncommittal when questioned about potential interest in Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo. The injury could also influence the ongoing conversation surrounding Salah’s future, particularly following his recent controversial comments and links to Saudi Arabian clubs.

Despite these challenges, Liverpool have shown resilience with a five-match unbeaten run as they seek to stabilize their Premier League title defense following a difficult period that included six losses in seven games.