Für unsere Gäste » new fans the intricacies of the sport. On

BOSTON -- The Latest on the merger of daily fantasy sports companies DraftKings and FanDuel (all times local):2:05 p.m.A top daily fantasy sports player says hes watching closely how the merger of the nascent industrys leading companies -- DraftKings and FanDuel -- might impact his livelihood.Saahil Sud, a 27-year-old Boston resident, says hes concerned the newly formed company would have the clout to substantially raise fees on players.If the companies also merge their game platforms that could also limit how many contests high volume players like Sud can enter.The companies have assured players they wont be making major changes at least through the next NFL season while the deal is being finalized. Theyve also promised to keep fees competitive.Meanwhile Dustin Hecker, a Boston lawyer whos been following the industry, suggests the merger isnt any guarantee the companies remain viable in the long run.He notes that both companies remain unprofitable, still face legal uncertainty and will largely be operating as separate entities in the short term.---11:40 a.m.DraftKings and FanDuels executives say the last year of battling with regulators across the country for their industrys survival helped bring about the merger of the once bitter daily fantasy sports rivals.DraftKings CEO Jason Robins, who will take over as chief executive of the combined company, told The Associated Press Friday following the merger announcement that the costly legal war showed how much of a common vision and common goal the two companies shared.FanDuel CEO Nigel Eccles, who will serve as board chairman, also played down concerns about the merger possibly running afoul of federal antitrust laws.He says the merger will help competition in the relatively new industry, which is an offshoot of traditional, season-long fantasy sports.Eccles says a combined company will help better push for regulatory clarity around the games, which have been likened to illegal sports betting.---9:33 a.m.Daily fantasy sports rivals DraftKings and FanDuel have agreed to merge after months of speculation and increasing regulatory scrutiny.The two companies made the announcement Friday but didnt release financial terms. The deal isnt expected to be finalized until later in 2017 and still requires federal approval.Industry experts say the merger will likely raise anti-trust concerns with regulators since the companies control nearly 90 percent of the market.Company officials say the merger will help cut costs as the two fight to remain legal in states across the country.Daily fantasy sports competitions are online games in which players pick teams of real life athletes and vie for prizes based on how those athletes perform in actual games.But state regulators have questioned whether the competitions amount to illegal sports betting. NFL Jerseys From China . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Wholesale Jerseys . -- Quarterback Will Finch threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns, and Yannick Harou rushed in two scores as the No. http://www.cheapjerseys.bid/ . Isner, ranked No. 14, won his eighth career singles title and took the title in New Zealand for the second time after his victory in 2010. The match was similar to Isners quarterfinal victory over fifth-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber which went to three sets, all tiebreaks and contained no breaks of serve. China Jerseys Cheap . Uniteds eighth defeat of a wretched campaign means Liverpool, which currently occupies the fourth and final Champions League place, could go nine points clear of its fierce rival by beating West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. Charlie Adam scored both of Stokes goals at Britannia Stadium either side of Robin van Persies equalizer, with a miserable day for seventh-place United capped by first-half injuries to centre halves Jonny Evans and Phil Jones that forced them off. Wholesale Authentic Jerseys .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games when they visit the Edmonton Oilers for Sundays clash at Rexall Place. New York racing, much like the city itself, never sleeps. As soon as Belmont closes its doors for the winter, Aqueduct opens its gates, picking up right where Belmont Park left off. Known as The Big A, Aqueduct completes NYRAs trio of racetracks and is the only one that can be operated during New Yorks unforgiving winters.I first visited Aqueduct just before Christmas last year. I was just starting to frequent live racing and hadnt been to any racetrack since the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont two months earlier. When I entered the grandstand it was clear that Aqueduct is quite different from its sister tracks, but I was immediately charmed by its quirks. From then on, Ive always had a special place in my heart for Aqueduct. Heres five reasons why you should love it too:1. The RacesAqueduct has one long race calendar, broken up into seasonal meets, that begins in early November and ends in early May. The calendars early highlights include the Grade 1 Cigar Mile and Grade 2 Remsen Stakes over Thanksgiving weekend, and the marquee events conclude with the Grade 1 Wood Memorial in April, which is a major prep race for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands.While many of the summer birds and their equine charges choose to winter at Floridas Gulfstream Park, quality stakes races sprinkled throughout the Aqueduct meet during winter keep a great group of horses and trainers up north.2. The TrackThe reason Aqueduct is able to hold winter racing is that it features an inner dirt track with a special, winterized surface. I also love the paddock, which is large and sunken into the ground, providing an interesting view of the horses and their connections below. Since Aqueduct lacks a backyard area, everything is on the same side of the grandstand.Every time Ive been to Aqueduct theres been a sizeable crowd, but its still easy to navigate the apron and grandstand areas. Most recently I attended this years Cigar Mile, which ran under a gorgeous pink sunset. Definitely one of the best days Ive had at Aqueduct so far.3. The HistoryWhile the connection between horse and track is not as storied as Saratogas, the likeness of Secretariat painted prominently on the side of Aqueducts grandstannd is no coincidence.dddddddddddd Big Red took his last steps on a racetrack in front of a crowd at Aqueduct in 1973 before being retired to Claiborne Farm.Cigar, a champion I was fortunate enough to meet at the Kentucky Horse Park before he passed away in 2014, began his 16-race win streak with victories in an allowance race and the NYRA Mile (now the Cigar Mile) at Aqueduct in 1994. The track also hosted the second-ever Breeders Cup in 1985.Aqueduct is proud of its champions, with photos of past Cigar Mile, Wood Memorial and Remsen winners gracing almost every wall.4. The CasinoIm not a gambler myself, but if you enjoy casinos Aqueduct is definitely for you. Resorts World Casino is large and new and boasts a wide array of slot machines, game tables and even a few restaurants. It was also New York Citys first legal casino.5. The PeopleFinally, the people are by far my favorite thing about Aqueduct. Since The Big As meet is primarily run during the winter months when its often unpleasant to be outside watching live races, it tends to attract the true fans of racing. Whether its Wood Memorial day or a card full of maiden and allowance races, the atmosphere at Aqueduct is almost as exciting as Belmont Stakes day.Ive also found that the fans at Aqueduct are some of the friendliest Ive met at any track, and many of them are willing to teach new fans the intricacies of the sport. On Wood Memorial day last year, I struck up a conversation with a man who told me about his time working on the backstretch exercising horses years ago. At Saturdays Cigar Mile, I chatted with a fan in a Preakness hat who gave me some tips for attending next years Kentucky Derby.Ive brought a few friends to Aqueduct as their first racetrack experience, and despite some temperamental weather, they liked it enough to come back. I have to give the loyal fans of Aqueduct some credit for always making race days a good time.Congratulations to Connect on winning the 2016 Cigar Mile, and heres to another great winter at Aqueduct!For more stories like this check out Americas Best Racing. ' ' '