The Speed Read: A Photo Finish

05/06/2024

By: Jeff Yoder

Welcome Back!

We might be due for a pit stop after the past weekend in sports. Game 7s, GOAT laughs, and photo finishes were at every turn. As we’ve learned over the years, May is the month of speed, and it doesn’t waste time. No brakes!

In Today’s Edition: The Kentucky Derby, NASCAR Cup Series, and Miami GP help us kick off race month with drama in droves and finish-line snapshots. The NBA and NHL postseasons enter Round 2. And Netflix’s ‘Roast of Tom Brady’ was so unhinged and NSFW (not safe for work) that we just won’t. Strap in. Fuel up. Cameras ready…

Letter Rip!

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KY DERBY

A Photo Finish at Derby 150

*Photo: Justin Casterline / Getty Images*

Mystik Dan (18-1) Wins Tightest 3-Way Finish (Ever?) in 150th Kentucky Derby

A record finish at the Run for the Roses! The 150th Kentucky Derby marked a milestone moment in the race’s illustrious history on Saturday in Louisville. Churchill Downs was rocking, and it was the most-watched Kentucky Derby in 35 years. After 120 seconds of galloping thoroughbreds, three horses crossed the finish line milliseconds apart. Mystik Dan, Sierra Leone, and Forever Young all came to the line in an iconic photo finish — the first race this close in almost 30 years. It was Mystik Dan, at 18-1 odds (pictured on the far side in the above photo), with jockey Brian Hernandez and owner Lance Gasaway capturing the Roses.

How the 150th Derby Was Won: The first 1/2-mile of the 150th Run for the Roses featured the favorite, Fierceness, and a pair of long-shots in Track Phantom and Just Steel riding three-wide. After a full mile, Mystik Dan made an aggressive pass inside the final turn and sprinted to a massive lead along the rail. Forever Young and Sierra Leone made a late push to pass the leader at the finish, but Mystik Dan held on and crossed the line by a “flared nostril.” We’ve seen photo finishes in past races, but this three-way nail-biter needed multiple replays to confirm.

Fun Fact: The 1996 Kentucky Derby was the last race that literally required a photograph to determine the winner.

Final Results

1. Mystik Dan (2:03.34)

2. Sierra Leone (Nose)

3. Forever Young (Nose)

4. Catching Freedom (1 3/4 Lengths)

5. TO Password (6 1/2 Lengths)

Watch: The 150th Kentucky Derby (Highlights)

AP: Kentucky Derby’s Thrilling Finish Draws 16.7 Million Viewers — Most Since 1989

The Athletic: The People & Moments That Made Kentucky Derby Winner Mystik Dan

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NBA PLAYOFFS

A New King Cavalier

Cavs Ride Spida Mitchell to Oust Magic in Game 7 (106-94); Ant Drops 43 in Game 1 to Open Round 2

From Round 1 to Round 2, the NBA Playoffs aren’t slowing down. We saw two teams close out their first-round series this weekend. The Mavericks finished off the Clippers on Friday while the Cavs needed seven games and a second-half comeback to get past the Magic. Donovan Mitchell had 39 points to keep Cleveland alive on Sunday, but he also dropped 50 in Game 6 on Friday. Cavs fans chanted “We Want Boston” in the waning moments of Sunday’s closeout. They’ll get ’em. It’s Cleveland’s first playoff series win without LeBron James since 1993.

Out West, Round 1 got underway with a playoff career-high 43 points from Anthony Edwards as the Timberwolves showed the Nuggets they came to play. Round 2 series are on the way.

NBA Playoffs (Round 1)

Gm 6: Mavericks def. Clippers (114-101)

DAL Wins Series (4-2)

Gm 7: Cavaliers def. Magic (106-94)

CLE Wins Series (4-3)

Donovan Mitchell Scores 89 Points in Games 6-7

Round 2 Highlights

Gm 1: T-Wolves def. Nuggets (106-99)

MIN Leads Series (1-0)

Anthony Edwards (43 pts) Scores Playoff Career-High

Updated NBA Playoff Bracket

(Conference Semifinals)

West: #1 Thunder vs. #5 Mavericks

West: #2 Nuggets vs. #3 T-Wolves

East: #1 Celtics vs. #4 Cavaliers

East: #2 Knicks vs. #6 Pacers

Tonight’s Schedule

Gm 1: Pacers at Knicks (7:30 pm ET, TNT)

Gm 2: T-Wolves at Nuggets (10:00 pm ET, TNT)

NBC Sports: Minnesota is Ready for the Moment, Gets 43 From Anthony Edwards in Game 1

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FORMULA 1

Lando Captures Miami GP

Lando Norris Breaks Max Verstappen’s F1 Streak in Front of Star-Studded Audience at Miami Grand Prix

The Formula 1 circuit made its first stop in the United States on Sunday for the Miami Grand Prix, and fans (many famous ones) were treated to a rare sight atop the podium. No, it wasn’t Max Verstappen, but Lando Norris on top. The British McLaren driver upstaged Verstappen on the 57-lap Miami International Autodrome track, marking Verstappen’s first loss since September 2023 in a race he still finished. Verstappen had one DNF in that time frame, and Norris was certainly aided on Sunday by a mid-race incident that left Verstappen in need of the safety car. Nevertheless, it’s Lando Norris, on American soil, capturing his first Formula 1 victory.

Final Results

1. L. Norris (1:30:49.876)

2. M. Verstappen (+7.612s)

3. C. Leclerc (+9.920s)

4. C. Sainz Jr. (+11.407s)

5. S. Perez (+14.650s)

Watch: 2024 Miami Grand Prix Highlights

B/R: The Biggest Stars to Attend Miami F1 Grand Prix

SI: Lando Norris Went Absolutely Bonkers Celebrating First Formula 1 Win at Miami Grand Prix

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NHL PLAYOFFS

Stars Outshine the Champs

Game 7s: Stars Eliminate Golden Knights in Game 7 (2-1) After Bruins Escape Maple Leafs in Overtime (2-1, OT)

Down go the champs! A wild weekend in hockey saw two Game 7s produce dramatic conclusions to the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Canucks advanced and knocked out the Predators on Friday. The Bruins held off the Maple Leafs on Saturday in overtime (2-1, OT) thanks to David Pastrnak’s OT winner. And on Sunday, with Round 2 getting started, the Stars bested the Golden Knights (2-1) on a third-period backhander from Radek Faksa. Some serious drama on ice! With those three teams securing spots in the second round, we’re down to the final eight. Round 2, here we go.

Stanley Cup Playoff Highlights (Round 1)

Gm 7: Stars def. Golden Knights (2-1)

DAL Wins Series (4-3)

Gm 7: Bruins def. Maple Leafs (2-1, OT)

BOS Wins Series (4-3)

Gm 6: Canucks def. Predators (1-0)

VAN Wins Series (4-2)

Conference Semifinals (Round 2)

Gm 1: Rangers def. Hurricanes (4-3)

NYR Leads Series (1-0)

Updated Stanley Cup Playoff Bracket

(Conference Semifinals)