NEU » van Gaal.Talks between United and Ibrahimovics ag

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- As he walked briskly into the post-race interview area at Saratoga, trainer Bob Baffert said: This is better this year. Why didnt we do that last year?A year after making a similar walk - though with less enthusiasm - following Triple Crown winner American Pharoahs defeat in the Travers, Baffert floated on air after the previously unheralded Arrogate put on a performance for the ages, winning Saturdays Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes by a whopping 13-1/2 lengths over stablemate American Freedom. Moreover, Arrogates final time of 1:59.36 for 1-1/4 miles was a track record, demolishing the mark of 2:00 set by General Assembly in the 1979 Travers.That was ridiculous, Baffert said.The win capped a sensational hour for Arrogates owner, Juddmonte Farms, which also won the Grade 1, $1 million Sword Dancer Invitational with Flintshire on Saturday. It was also a two-win day for Baffert, who won the Grade 1 Kings Bishop with Drefong.But Arrogate eclipsed all performances on a Breeders Cup-type card at Saratoga, where 13 3-year-olds went into the starting gate for the 147th Travers but only one will be remembered.Arrogate, a son of Unbridleds Song, had never run in a stakes race before Saturday. His three wins coming into this race came against a total of 10 horses. On Aug. 4, he beat two horses in an allowance race, coming from last of three.When Arrogate drew the rail for the Travers, Baffert knew Mike Smith would have to put him into the race from the outset. Smith hustled Arrogate away from the gate but was third under the wire the first time as American Freedom and Laoban had outbroke him.But by the time the field entered the first turn, Arrogate was in front, running an opening quarter of 23.23 seconds. The gray locomotive kept rolling at a brisk clip of 46.84 seconds for a half-mile and 1:10.85 for six furlongs while basically in hand.So smooth, so strong, Smith said. He would look around a lot because hes so immature. Every time he looked too much Id say, Hey, and, man, he would jump to it.Entering the far turn, Arrogate widened his lead and he came to the quarter pole two lengths in front after running a mile in 1:35.52, equaling the second-fastest mile fraction in the history of the race.Smith said he kept busy on Arrogate in the stretch because he was afraid someone was coming, but no one was in shouting distance as Arrogate came to the wire in front of 48,630 spectators.Sent off an 11-1 shot, Arrogate returned $25.40 and keyed a Baffert exacta that returned $134.50.It was Baffert who picked out Arrogate at auction for Juddmonte, which three years ago retained him as their Southern California trainer following the death of Juddmontes previous U.S. trainer Bobby Frankel several years earlier. Arrogate brought $560,000 as a yearling.Rafael Bejarano had ridden Arrogate in his three previous victories, but he also had ridden American Freedom to a victory in the Iowa Derby and a runner-up finish in the Haskell Invitational. Bejarano said owner Gary West wanted him to ride American Freedom.I wanted to ride [Arrogate], but there was nothing I could do because the owner wanted me to ride that other horse, said Bejarano, adding that Arrogate was much better than the other horses and he loved the distance.American Freedom finished a half-length in front of third-place finisher Gun Runner, who finished 3-3/4 lengths ahead of Gift Box in fourth. He was followed, in order, by Governor Malibu, Connect, Creator, My Man Sam, Destin, Forever dOro, 5-2 favorite Exaggerator, Laoban, and Anaximandros.Jockey Kent Desormeaux was on Exaggerator, who he said was empty before the running started.In addition to trying to boost his credentials for the 3-year-old championship, Exaggerator was trying to disprove the notion he is simply a wet-track specialist. He has won three Grade 1s in the slop this year. His last effort on a fast track was an 11th-place finish in the Belmont Stakes.Im not going to scratch my head, Im going to accept it as racing and Ill figure out what happened in the ensuing days, said Keith Desormeaux, trainer of Exaggerator. I can assure you theres nothing physically wrong with him. It kind of mimicked his Belmont race. Its hard for me to accept that its all about the track.Trainer Steve Asmussen was glad to see Gun Runner bounce back from his fifth-place finish in the Haskell with a respectable third-place showing in the Travers.On a dry track we saw Gun Runner is of very high quality, he said. It is very comforting to be able to throw out the Haskell.Creator, the Belmont Stakes winner, also trained by Asmussen, finished seventh. Asmussen deduced that Creator had the same troubles with the turns at Saratoga as he did at Fair Grounds this winter.Saratogas probably not for him, Asmussen said.They used to say that about Baffert. They werent saying it Saturday. NMD Online Australia . The phone hearing is scheduled for 4:30pm et/1:30pm pt. Winchester, who was not penalized for the hit, appeared to make contact with Kellys head early in the first period of Thursdays game in Boston. NMD R1 Sale Australia . Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak. http://www.nmdaustraliasale.com/ . The next step is a better finish. Bae played bogey-free Friday on another gorgeous day at Riviera for a 5-under 66, giving him a one-shot lead over Aaron Baddeley and Robert Garrigus going into the weekend. Adidas Superstar Sale Australia . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. NMD R1 Womens Sale . Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2.Manchester United will complete the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and could conclude a deal before the start of Euro 2016, according to Sky sources. It is understood Uniteds executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and Ibrahimovics representatives are finalising terms on a one-year contract, with Jose Mourinho determined to make the Sweden international his first marquee signing at Old Trafford. Mourinho and Ibra in quotes Jose Mourinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic: What they have said about each other And a free transfer following the expiration of his current Paris Saint-Germain deal is expected to be completed before Swedens first Group E match against Ireland on June 13. Sky sources understand Ibrahimovic is the only striker Mourinho wants to sign this summer, with the Portuguese convinced Marcus Rashford can make a significant impact at Old Trafford next season. Zlatan Ibrahimovic confirms he has had several offers to joinn Premier League clubs While Mourinho believes Ibrahimovic is a key signing that United need if they are to challenge for the Premier League title next term, he is also keen to give Rashford plenty of opportunities to continue his rapid development.ddddddddddddSky Sports News HQ has been told that Mourinho is conscious of the need to continue Uniteds legacy of bringing through young players into the first team, and even passed on the opportunity to sign Leicesters Jamie Vardy this week so as to protect Rashfords progress. Ibrahimovic is a free agent after leaving Paris Saint-Germain Sky sources first reported Uniteds interest in the former Malmo FF, Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona and AC Milan star back in May, ahead of Mourinhos appointment to replace Louis van Gaal.Talks between United and Ibrahimovics agent Mino Raiola gathered pace following Mourinhos arrival at Old Trafford, and Sky sources subsequently reported last week that they were only Premier League club Ibrahimovic was considering. It is understood the 6ft 5in, Malmo-born Swede wants to add the Premier League to his array of titles that includes the Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A, French Ligue 1 and Dutch Eredivisie.Ibrahimovic had more lucrative offers from Chinese Super League clubs and options in Italy, but it appears he has been convinced to move to Manchester for a reunion with Mourinho, and that its the right move to make at this stage of his illustrious career. Also See: Transfer Centre Zlatan: Ive made my decision Mourinho and Ibra in quotes Martial: Ibra would improve us ' ' '