2012 » bjective for every player involved was to win.The

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Tourist became a much-deserving Grade 1 winner for the first time when rallying from off a relatively slow pace to a 1-1/4-length victory over A Lot in Saturdays $500,000 Fourstardave at Saratoga.Tourist had to survive a brief bobble on the second turn and a claim of foul by Javier Castellano, the rider of A Lot, before his Grade 1 win was officially in the books.Tourist ducked in at the break before straightening away and taking up a striking position just off the early pace set by King Kreesa, who posted leisurely splits of 24.53 and 48.43 over the firm course. Tourist was sent up to challenge the leader by jockey Joel Rosario on the far turn, stumbled briefly nearing the quarter pole, quickly recovered to edge clear near the furlong grounds then had plenty left to withstand a final surge from the runner-up.A Lot, bumped by Tourist almost immediately after the break, was reserved at the rear of the scratch-reduced field for six furlongs, commenced his bid midway on the second bend, finished willingly down the center of the course, but could not reach the winner. Grand Arch, winner of the 2015 Fourstardave, raced within striking distance from the outset but lacked the sufficient rally at the end.Ring Weekend, the tepid 5-2 favorite, steadied after getting pinched following the incident at the break, saved ground thereafter and could never seriously menace.Tourist, a 5-year-old son of Tiznow, had been Grade 1-placed on four previous occasions, including in his previous start when second, beaten less than a length, in the Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita 11 weeks earlier. Trained by Bill Mott for the partnership of WinStar Farm, Gary Barber and Wachtel Stable, Tourist returned $7.40 after completing a mile in 1:34.29.Very important for a horse like him to get a Grade 1 win, Mott said. Hes been a good horse, multiple Grade 1-placed, and to win the Fourstardave at Saratoga is an important race.Mott said he was happy with the way the trip worked out, but did admit to having some anxious moments when Tourist bobbled momentarily on the second turn.On paper, that looked like the type of trip hed probably get, Mott said. He was laying second, came on and drew away from the field. But it was a bit of an anxious moment on the middle of the turn when he took a bad step. I kind of swallowed for a second there, but he was able to pick himself back up and go on with it.Mott said the Breeders Cup Mile would be his ultimate goal for Tourist later this year.Womens Air Max Outlet . -- PGA TOUR Canada member Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web. Cheap Air Max 90 . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December. http://www.airmax2018outlet.us/ .Y. -- Paul Byron and Matt Stajan scored as the Calgary Flames started a five-game road trip with a 2-1 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon. Cheap Air Max Online . Mickelson barely made the cut but had the best round of the day with nine birdies and an eagle coupled with two bogeys to sit two shots behind leader Craig Lee of Scotland. Lee shot a 69 for a 12-under 204 total. "I just love the fact I am in contention and have an opportunity in my first tournament of the year here in Abu Dhabi," Mickelson said. Sale Air Max Outlet . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty good place to start laying the groundwork. "They are a very good defensive team," Penguins forward Brandon Sutter said.In a scene that has played out countless times in his NHL career, All-Star defenseman Dustin Byfuglien glided his 265-pound frame to the penalty box. Only this time, while in there, he signed autographs for children and posed for selfies.This wasnt Winnipegs MTS Centre in the thick of the NHL season. It was Braemar Arena in Edina, Minnesota, in early August.Welcome to Da Beauty League: hockeys most star-studded (and possibly most fun) summer beer league.Im not sure how successful anyone really thought it might be, as far as fans coming out to see it. But it was awesome,?Arizona Coyotes defenseman Alex Goligoski?said. They did it the right way. For me, personally, it couldnt have gone better.Goligoski and Byfuglien were two of the first players approached about the league at the start of the 2015-16 NHL season. By the time the summer hockey league officially kicked off on July 12, it was an All-Star extravaganza featuring Minnesotas hockey elites, including 45 NHL players and an array of top AHL and college players.Goligoski was among the league captains who sorted out the six team rosters, along with Brock Nelson, Ryan McDonagh, Taylor Chorney, Nick Bjugstad and David Backes. With former NHL players Ben Clymer, Mark Parrish and Brian Lawton among the coaches, the league was set, and a Minnesota hockey phenomenon began to take shape.Weve been talking about it for years. We just decided to take the plunge this year and make a go of it, said league organizer Ben Hankinson, a former NHL player who now works as a player agent with Octagon Hockey.Its cool. Just to see the kids wanting autographs and hanging over the glass. The parents are taking pictures. Its really cool to see how passionate hockey fans are in Minnesota. We had some really hot, humid nights that our games were played on. So it was a nice place to come beat the heat and cool down a little bit.With some of the worlds best players competing and tickets only $5 each, hundreds of fans turned out to watch the twice-weekly 4-on-4 games. Money raised from ticket revenue and the auctioning off of game-worn jerseys was also given to charity.As the intensity of play on the ice ramped up week after week, so did the size of the crowds. It wasnt long before the State of Hockey went all-in on Da Beauty League.The pace was amazing. It was a lot of fun to watch, said Keith Ballard, a former NHL player who served as a Beauty League coach.It seemed like every game there was more and more people coming. There were over 1,000 people there, which is pretty impressive for a 4-on-4 summer deal. I give those guys a lot of credit for being there each night and putting on a good show. Guys stayed after and signed autographs for the fans and threw pucks in the crowd and sticks. It was a really cool experience all around.In the end, Chorneys team featuringg NHLers Byfuglien, Drew Stafford and James van Riemsdyk took the league title with a 9-5 championship-game win over Nelsons crew, which included New York Islanders teammate Anders Lee and veteran Nashville Predators defenseman Matt Carle.dddddddddddd. Stafford was named the first Beauty League MVP after leading all players in goals and points.For NHL players and fans alike, the league truly served as a summer hockey paradise. But perhaps no one benefited more from the monthlong exhibition than the college and AHL players looking to take the next step in their careers. For prospects such as brothers Nick and Jordan Schmaltz and Brock Boeser, it was an invaluable opportunity to get summer reps alongside the likes of Zach Parise, Nick Leddy and Paul Martin.The pros dont put up with the kids not putting in full efforts, Hankinson said. Thats probably the biggest lesson I think these guys learn: how hard the pros work and how serious they are about it. Those guys dont mess around. Theyre taking time away from their families.Perhaps more than anything, the league was a celebration of hockey in a region that reveres the sport as much as any on the planet. Where else could so many world-class players volunteer their time in front of a packed house at a suburban community skating rink?The games featured plenty of indelible moments and perhaps none greater than an arena-rattling ceremonial puck drop before the championship game. That honor went to reigning All-Star Game MVP and very part-time honorary commissioner John Scott, after whom the leagues championship trophy was named.There was plenty of fun to be had in Edina, which is located southwest of Minneapolis. But make no mistake: The ultimate objective for every player involved was to win.The last regular-season game, whoever won was in the playoffs and whoever lost was done, Ballard said. It went to overtime, 3-on-3 to 2-on-2, then back to 3-on-3 and then a shootout. It was up and down and guys back-checking and blocking shots and getting in corners. It was great. In Minnesota, I dont think there has ever been anything like this.With the arenas website promising free admission to anyone shorter than Byfugliens stick, some fans reportedly traveled up to two hours to watch. Between the carefree summer spirit and the quality hockey, Da Beauty League was a resounding success.I dont think Ive ever played in front of any fans in the summer, Goligoski said. Theres not anything else like it.All indications are that Da Beauty League will be back in 2017, with players already looking forward to another go at the John Scott Cup.Oh, yeah. Im in. Im in 100 percent, Goligoski said. I dont see any reason why it wouldnt come back. ' ' '