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There is a chance that the season could peak too soon on Saturday afternoon, when the darlings of the American turf -- Songbird, California Chrome, and Beholder -- will be competing coast to coast.Songbird is laying her unbeaten record on the line in the Alabama Stakes at Saratoga, a 10-furlong race that has been won by so many fabulous fillies that it saves time to note only those who made it all the way to the Hall of Fame. There have been a cool dozen.The Pacific Classic will not be run until 6:15 Pacific on Saturday evening, and already local historians are making room for the 2016 version alongside the 1938 Del Mar match race between Seabiscuit and Ligaroti, the last hurrah of 8-year-old Native Diver in the 1967 Del Mar Handicap, and the epic duel between champion Paseana and the unwavering Exchange in the 1994 Chula Vista Handicap.And thats okay. When a Horse of the Year like California Chrome meets a three-time champion like Beholder, attention must be paid. Too many arguments have been left unsettled in recent years when top runners failed to intersect: Ghostzapper and Smarty Jones, Mineshaft and Pleasantly Perfect, Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra. So, cherish the moment.There will be betting, of course, and good luck to those who view Beholder as a freak of nature who would be unbeatable if she repeats her 2015 Classic performance. Backers of California Chrome need little justification, especially at level weights and at a distance over which he has earned most of his record $12.6 million. Then comes Dortmund and his mammoth stride, emerging this year from the wings of the American Pharoah show to cast his own giant shadow.Dont bother asking Raul Rodriguez whom he likes. He is too busy fussing with California Chromes hourly needs to tout the obvious. For 3-1/2 years, Rodriguez has been the man in the stall, at the shank, in the van, and on the plane.For what its worth, Rodriguez noted that California Chrome was understandably tired after his win over Dortmund in the San Diego Handicap last month, Chromes first race since winning the Dubai World Cup in March.Then he trained even better, even stronger after that, Rodriguez said, which is exactly how its supposed to work.Rodriguez is the patriarch of a family that has become admired at the highest levels of the game. Raul and his wife, Florentina, have three sons. Raul Jr. grooms for the Art and Alan Sherman stable, while Freddy and Edgar are exercise riders for Jerry Hollendorfer. If the name Edgar Rodriguez rings a bell, it should since he is the man atop Songbird every day.I had an empty stall, Rodriguez replied when asked how he came to be California Chromes groom. Everybody else was full. I had one horse just go to the farm, so they gave him to me.Of such whimsical twists legends are born. No doubt Rodriguez took one look at the chestnut 2-year-old with the wide blaze and four stockings and immediately thought, Champion!He was so little -- this high, like a donkey, Rodriguez said, holding his hand to the level of his Tom Selleck moustache.The girl who breezed him the first time told me he was a stakes horse, Rodriguez said. I said, No, I dont think so.His skepticism made sense. Stakes horses are how grooms make any money above and beyond their basic wage, and Rodriguez, hardly a rookie, saw no reason to get excited until there was good cause. At that point, the best horse hed rubbed was Siren Lure, the former claimer Sherman turned into a Grade 1 winner and earner of nearly a million dollars.The second time he breezed, Art said to me he could be a good one, Rodriguez said. He was very tough in the stall, always kicking. Not me, but he tried. Anyone else went to do his stall, I said, Let me do it.It was late morning early in Pacific Classic week, and Rodriguez was taking a break in a camp chair outside the Sherman tack room. At one point in the conversation, California Chrome came to his webbing, as if stepping up in his own defense. But in fact, he had caught wind of a horse passing by, and, well, California Chrome was compelled to let the stranger know who was boss.California Chrome became a stakes horse by winning the Graduation for California-breds at Del Mar 37 months ago. Now, Rodriguez can sweep through the photos on his smartphone to display his travels with Chrome -- Kentucky, New York, England, Dubai, and then Dubai again. He also will share pictures of his ranch in southwestern Mexico, some 80 acres of rolling land near the Rio Verde in the state of Jalisco. Thank you, California Chrome.Here is the three-bedroom house Rodriguez built with attached double garage. Here is the brick barn for his horses and the high-walled corral for his white beef cattle. Here is the iron gate to Rancho Rodriguez, flanked by brick pillars topped with imposing horse-head sculptures.Ill be 59 the last day of this month, Rodriguez said. In three years, I retire to my ranch.And leave the Shermans in the lurch? What about those California Chrome babies who could be hitting the track in 2020?Thats okay, Rodriguez said with a smile. My son will be here.Wholesale Buccaneers Jerseys . DAmigo scored twice in regulation and added the shootout winner as the Toronto Marlies edged the San Antonio Rampage 5-4 in American Hockey League action. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jerseys China . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil. http://www.cheapbuccaneersjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-ronde-barber-jersey . 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Miller reached right to deflect Mikhail Grabovskis attempt with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation, and then made two more saves in the shootout Sunday to give the Sabres a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals.HOCKENHEIM, Germany -- FIA race director Charlie Whiting says Max Verstappens defence against Kimi Raikkonen at the Hungarian Grand Prix was on the edge of being fair.Verstappen held off Raikkonen for fifth place in Hungary, but twice incurred the wrath of Raikkonen while blocking the Ferrari in the braking zone. Under the rules, drivers are only allowed to move once across the track to defend position and Whiting believes Verstappen was just about within the letter of the law.A lot of people, including the teams concerned, felt that Max had moved more than once to defend his position, which we dont believe he did, he said. Therres no actual rule about moving in the braking zone, although its a fairly undesirable thing according to most drivers.dddddddddddd.A number of drivers sided with Raikkonen over the incident and Whiting admitted it was close to the limit of what is allowed.I think it was on the edge of being fair. But I asked the stewards to look at both incidents during the race and I asked them to review it again after the race and they felt it was firm but fair. Robust defence I think was the expression they used.Cheduring the race and I asked them ts Wholesale Baseball Jerseys ' ' '