📈 Mystik Dan, OBJ to Dolphins, & NHL All-Time Point Leaders

 🏇 _{Mystik Dan Wins Kentucky Derby}

The Kentucky Derby celebrated its 150th anniversary with a dramatic photo finish and unprecedented betting enthusiasm this past Saturday. The event, held at Churchill Downs, saw a staggering $210.7 million placed on the races, with Mystik Dan's unexpected victory contributing significantly to this total. Mystik Dan, an 18-1 underdog, clinched the win in one of the Derby's tightest races since 1947, narrowly defeating competitors Sierra Leone and Forever Young.

The excitement wasn't just limited to the main event; the entire Derby Day card attracted a record $320.5 million in bets, surpassing the previous year's total by a considerable margin. TwinSpires, the official online betting platform of the Kentucky Derby, also reported record-breaking figures, with $92.1 million wagered on the day's races. Notably, the international interest in the Derby has grown, with $10.1 million bet from Japan alone, marking another new record and highlighting the global appeal of this historic race. The 20-horse field featured strong international contenders, including Japan's Forever Young, who impressively finished third, and T.O. Password, who came in fifth.

A $2 bet on Mystik Dan to win would have paid $39.22 yesterday, while a place (2nd place or better) would have paid $16.32 and a show (3rd place or better) would have paid $10.00.

 🏈 _{OBJ signs with Dolphins}

Afer a productive season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, WR Odell Beckham Jr has signed a deal with the Miami Dolphins for the upcoming 2024 season. Beckham Jr, who will turn 32 mid season, signed a one year contract worth up to $8.25M in Miami. Beckham creates a dynamic WR trio for the Phins who already have one of the games’ best receivers in Tyreek Hill and fourth year wideout Jaylen Waddle.

Although battling some injuries in Baltimore last season, Beckham still produced 35 catches for 565 yards & 3 touchdowns. Adding that complimentary production to the 2023 second best offense definitely doesn’t hinder the Dolphins ability to score points and win games in an AFC East Division that will look different this year. Aaron Rodgers comes back fully healthy as starting QB for the New York Jets, the New England Patriots will either start the season lead by veteran Jacoby Brissett or third overall pick Drake Maye under rookie head coach, Jerrod Mayo, & the Buffalo Bills, still lead by Josh Allen, will be debuting a brand new receiving core minus Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.

🥅 Wayne Gretzky’s Points Record

As the NHL playoffs are currently underway, and we have seen the point numbers by some of the game’s best players this season, let’s check in on where the all time numbers stand. Wayne Gretzky’s points record of 2,857 appears to be a record that will stand the test of time until we have “The Great One’ 2.0, and even then it might not be in jeopardy. If you took away all of Gretzky’s goals and only had his assists on this list, he would STILL be the all time leader by 42 points.

The closest active players to Gretzky are legends of the game Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin. Both players still played at a high level this season, but time is not on their side in their careers. Although Wayne Gretzky’s points record isn’t in play to be caught by either Crosby or Ovechkin, Ovechkin has a chance to catch Gretzky’s goal record. Ovi has 853 goals to Gretzky’s 894, which leads to the belief that Ovechkin wouldn’t call it quits until he becomes the all time goal scoring leader.