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Display of St. Francis of Assisi’s bones confirms enduring appeal of relics for Christians

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ASSISI, Italy — The bones of St. Francis of Assisi went on public display for the first time Sunday, capping an 800-year saga over his bodily remains and confirming the enduring appeal to Christians of venerating a saint’s relics.

Nearly 400,000 people registered in advance to see the bone fragments, which are contained in a slim, bulletproof Plexiglas case in the lower Basilica of St. Francis in the hilltop Umbrian town the medieval friar made famous.

The Franciscans decided to exhibit the bones for one month, through March 22, to honor the 800th anniversary of St. Francis ’ death in 1226. The aim is to revive his message of peace and fraternity that made him one of the most beloved Christian saints and inspired Pope Francis to take his name, the first pope to do so.

The exposition of his bodily remains is particularly remarkable given the somewhat tortured history of the body of St. Francis, a wealthy merchant’s son born in 1182 who gave up all his possessions to live as a mendicant friar.

At the end of his life, St. Francis’ body was said to have acquired the stigmata, the first documented case of a saint acquiring the marks of Christ on the cross.

In death, his body was lost for hundreds of years, after it was secretly buried by one of his followers who feared it would be stolen during the fight over relics that was common in Christianity in the Middle Ages.

That history is recounted in an exhibition mounted in the Franciscan convent, adjacent to the basilica, which pilgrims can visit as part of their appointment to pass by the bones.

Brother Giulio Cesareo, spokesman for the Franciscans in Assisi, said the exposition wasn’t a macabre celebration of the dead. Rather, he said, it was part of the long tradition of Christians venerating the physical remains of saints to experience the spirit that lived in them.

“It is not so much about venerating Francis, but rather encountering Francis by venerating the Holy Spirit who filled that humanity and made it capable of giving itself,” he said. “And it is, at least for a believer, a way to renew oneself in this one life.”

Over centuries, the fascination with relics has of course led to abuses, with thefts, forgeries and now online sales all part of their history. But that doesn’t diminish their hold on the faithful, said Sean Pilcher, who runs Sacra: Relics of the Saints, which provides consulting and authentication services to the Catholic Church.

If the saints are our brothers and sisters in heaven, “then it makes sense that we’re going to have things that we hold on to,” he said. “And what the church does is just take this natural desire that we all have for connection and belonging and direct it in a way that leads us toward Christ.”

For Fiorella Farina, a resident of northern Reggio Emilia who is so devoted to St. Francis that she bought a country house in Assisi and named her children Francesco and Francesca, the exposition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“Just talking about it gives me goosebumps,” she said outside the basilica. “It’s an event I couldn’t miss.”

St. Francis, she said, went against all societal norms to live out the Gospel message of peace, care for the poor and the environment.

“In this historic moment, we need him,” she said.

Security was tight but discreet on Sunday morning as the first pilgrims passed through metal detectors before filing into the basilica. Police declined to provide details, but said extra officers, sniffer dogs, plain-clothed police, television cameras and other measures were being used to protect the relics.

Given the history of St. Francis’ body, such measures seem only appropriate.

Even before he died, St. Francis had gained such a reputation for sanctity that he traveled with an armed escort when he made his final return to Assisi, said Brother William Short, professor of Christian spirituality at the Franciscan School of Theology at the University of San Diego.

There are also references in contemporary accounts of people reaching up to try to grab parts of his tunic as he went by on horseback, believing that his relics could help heal the sick or prevent calamity, Short said in an interview at the Franciscan residence in Rome, where he directs an international Franciscan study center.

When St. Francis died Oct. 3, 1226, he was initially buried in a small Assisi church, San Giorgio. Within two years, Pope Gregory IX had canonized him and laid the cornerstone for a basilica to house his tomb.

But on the eve of the transfer, St. Francis’ trusted aide, Brother Elias, took the body and secretly buried it in the basilica, fearing it could be stolen, said Short. The body remained there, hidden in a column but unmarked, until 1818. That’s when excavations discovered the remains and Pope Pius VII confirmed the bones belonged to St. Francis.

“It was a matter of safety and economics,” Short explained. “If you have a big saint, a new saint — and this guy had the potential to be a really big saint — whoever gets the body gets the pilgrims.”

And Assisi now has them, in spades.

Some people signed up to visit the relics when the exposition was first announced in October, and they were slotted into 10-minute increments starting Sunday morning.

Silvanella Tamos traveled to Assisi from Pordenone, north of Venice, with a group of 54 people from her diocese. They had had one of the earliest slots Sunday, at 9:30 a.m.

“It’s a body that’s alive,” she said. “It’s not a dead body. He still has a lot to tell us today,” she said.

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Winfield reported from Rome.

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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.



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Armed man shot, killed after entering Mar-a-Lago secure perimeter, Secret Service says

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Armed man shot, killed after entering Mar-a-Lago secure perimeter, Secret Service says

I’M CALEB CALIFANO, COMING ON AIR WITH BREAKING NEWS. LAW ENFORCEMENT IS GIVING AN UPDATE ON AN OVERNIGHT INCIDENT AT MAR-A-LAGO. LET’S LISTEN IN. ASK FOR A COUPLE QUESTIONS. WE’RE NOT GOING TO TAKE A LOT, BUT I WANT TO WARN YOU RIGHT NOW, MAKE THEM RELEVANT TO EXACTLY WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT. RIGHT? NO. WHAT IFS. WHAT ABOUT THIS? DON’T GET OFF BASE, BECAUSE WE’RE NOT GOING TO ANSWER THAT. WE’RE GOING TO GIVE YOU WHAT WE KNOW AND WHAT WE CAN. ALRIGHT, SO KEEP THAT IN MIND. SO YOU’RE GOOD TO GO. ALRIGHT. MY NAME IS RIC BRADSHAW. I’M THE SHERIFF OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. I HAVE WITH ME FROM THE FBI SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE, BRETT SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE RAFAEL BERRIOS FROM THE SECRET SERVICE. ALSO, I HAVE RESIDENT AGENT IN CHARGE DAVID CLANCY. AT 130 THIS MORNING, THE SECURITY DETAIL DETECTED THAT A INDIVIDUAL HAD MADE HIS WAY INTO THE INNER PERIMETER OF MAR-A-LAGO. A DEPUTY AND TWO SECRET SERVICE AGENTS ON THE DETAIL WENT TO THAT AREA TO INVESTIGATE. THAT WAS CARRYING A GAS CAN AND A SHOTGUN. HE WAS ORDERED TO DROP THOSE TWO PIECES OF EQUIPMENT THAT HE HAD WITH HIM, AT WHICH TIME HE PUT DOWN THE GAS CAN, RAISED THE SHOTGUN TO A SHOOTING POSITION. AT THAT POINT IN TIME, THE DEPUTY AND THE TWO SECRET SERVICE AGENTS FIRED THEIR WEAPONS AND NEUTRALIZED THE THREAT. HE IS DECEASED AT THE SCENE. I’LL GIVE YOU A PICTURE OF THE SHOTGUN AND THE GAS CAN TO HAVE WITH YOU. SO THAT’S WHAT WE KNOW NOW. INVESTIGATION CONTINUES. THE FBI IS THE LEAD INVESTIGATION AGENCY ON THIS CASE, AND WE WILL BE ASSISTING THEM IN WHATEVER MANNER THEY WOULD LIKE. AND THEY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR AN APPROPRIATE TIME. THANK YOU. SHERIFF. GOOD MORNING AGAIN. MY NAME IS BRETT SKILES. I’M THE SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE FOR THE FBI’S MIAMI FIELD OFFICE. FIRST OF ALL, I’D LIKE TO THANK THE SECRET SERVICE AND PALM BEACH SHERIFF’S OFFICE FOR THEIR QUICK RESPONSE IN THIS MATTER AND CLOSE COLLABORATION. SINCE THIS AREA OF THE SHOOTING WAS UNDER SECRET SERVICE PROTECTION AT THE TIME, THE FBI IS ASSISTING THE INVESTIGATION. CURRENTLY, OUR EVIDENCE RESPONSE TEAM IS PROCESSING THE SCENE, COLLECTING EVIDENCE, AND WE’LL CONTINUE TO WORK THE SCENE FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES. ONE THING I WOULD ASK THE PUBLIC IS IF YOU LIVE IN THE AREA OF THE SHOOTING, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EXTERIOR CAMERAS FOR LAST NIGHT EARLY THIS MORNING. IF YOU SEE ANYTHING THAT LOOKS SUSPICIOUS OR OUT OF PLACE, PLEASE CONTACT US AT ONE 800, CALL FBI OR CONTACT THE WEST PALM BEACH SHERIFF’S OFFICE. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. MY NAME IS RAFAEL BARROS. I’M THE SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE OF SECRET SERVICE MIAMI FIELD OFFICE. EARLIER TODAY, TWO SPECIAL AGENTS FROM THE SECRET SERVICE AND A DEPUTY FROM THE PALM BEACH SHERIFF’S OFFICE WERE INVOLVED IN AN OFFICER SHOOTING WHILE RESPONDING TO AN ARMED INDIVIDUAL AT ONE OF THE GATES AT MAR-A-LAGO. PRELIMINARY INFORMATION INDICATES THAT THE INDIVIDUAL WAS ARMED WITH A SHOTGUN IN A AND A POSSESSION OF A GASOLINE CANISTER. AGENTS AND THE DEPUTY DISCHARGED FIREARMS TO STOP THE THREAT. AT THIS TIME, NO LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL WERE INJURED DURING THE INCIDENT. WE WANT TO BE CLEAR. THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WAS NOT IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AND THIS REMAINS AN ACTIVE INVESTIGATION BY THE FBI. THANK YOU. OKAY, THIS IS THE PICTURE THAT I’M GOING TO GIVE YOU OF THE SHOTGUN AND THE GAS CAN. SO YOU GOT IT WITH US. ALL RIGHT. SO YOU’LL HAVE THAT. LIKE I SAID, THERE’S A LOT MORE INVESTIGATION TO BE DONE. FBI IS THE LEAD AGENCY WILL BE ASSISTING THEM. AND FORTUNATELY, NOBODY WAS IN JEOPARDY INSIDE BECAUSE OF THE QUICK ACTION THAT WAS TAKEN BY THE DEPUTIES AND THE SECRET SERVICE. ALL RIGHT. DO WE HAVE ANY RELATIVE QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. THAT PHOTO AGAIN. YEAH. WE’RE GOING TO GIVE IT TO YOU. ALL RIGHT OKAY. THAT’S IT FOR TODAY. THAT SHOT AND KILLED THE SUSPECT AGENCY. ARE THEY FROM. SAY THAT AGAIN, MA’AM. THERE’S THERE’S TWO AGENCIES INVOLVED. SHERIFF’S OFFICE, SECRET SERVICE OFFICER. THE AGENCY. WELL, THAT’S UNDER INVESTIGATION RIGHT NOW. OKAY. WAS THIS PERSON KNOWN TO LAW ENFORCEMENT PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT? NOT RIGHT NOW. CAN YOU CLARIFY WHERE ON THE PERIMETER IT HAPPENED? YOU MENTIONED THE GATE. YEAH, AT THE FRONT GATE OVER THERE? YEP. THERE, THERE. THE NORTH SIDE. NORTH SIDE. RIGHT INSIDE OF THE GATE. HE WAS JUST INSIDE THE INNER PERIMETER. YES. ALL RIGHT. WAS ANYONE INVOLVED WEARING BODY CAMERAS? PARDON ME. WAS ANYONE WEARING BODY CAMERAS? YES, WE ALWAYS DO. OKAY. WERE ANY WORDS EXCHANGED BETWEEN THE OFFICERS AND THE SUSPECT? ONLY WE. WORDS THAT WE SAID TO HIM WAS DROP THE ITEMS. WHICH MEANS THE GAS CAN AND THE SHOTGUN. THE SUSPECT NEVER SPOKE. HE PUT THE GAS. OKAY. YOU WERE JUST LISTENING IN TO A BREAKING NEWS PRESS CONFERENCE OUTSIDE OF MAR-A-LAGO. I WANT TO RECAP WHAT WE ARE HEARING FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT RIGHT NOW. THEY’RE TELLING US AROUND 130 THIS MORNING, A MAN MADE HIS WAY INTO THE INNER PERIMETER OF MAR-A-LAGO, ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE PALM BEACH HOME. THEY’RE TELLING US THE SUSPECT WAS A WHITE MAN CARRYING A GAS CAN AND A SHOTGUN. HE WAS ORDERED TO DROP BOTH OF THEM. ACCORDING TO THE SHERIFF OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. HE DROPPED THE GAS CANISTER, HOWEVER, POINTED THE SHOTGUN AT TWO SECRET SERVICE AGENTS AND ONE DEPUTY WHO SHOT AND KILLED HIM. THEY ARE TELLING US THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS NOT INJURED DURING THIS SHOOTING. THEY ALSO TELL US THAT THE FBI IS THE LEAD AGENCY, AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE THIS. THEY ARE ASKING NEARBY HOMEOWNERS TO CHECK THEIR CAMERAS FOR ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY. AND OF COURSE, THE PRESIDENT WAS NOT HOME AT THE TIME OF THE SHOOTING. OF COURSE, WE’LL KEEP YOU UPDATED WITH THIS. THERE’S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS, BUT STAY WITH WPBF 25 NEWS FOR ANY BREAKING NEWS UPDATES ON THIS STORY ALL DAY LONG. YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND THE LATEST ON WPBF.COM AND

The U.S. Secret Service announced Sunday that an armed man was shot and killed after entering the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s resort in Palm Beach, Florida.Although Trump often spends weekends at his resort, he was at the White House during the shooting. First Lady Melania Trump was also with the president.The name of the person who was shot has not been released. According to the Secret Service, he was “observed by the north gate of the Mar-a-Lago property carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can.” The incident took place at 1:30 a.m. Sunday.Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw, speaking at a brief press conference, said the man was confronted by two Secret Service agents and a sheriff’s deputy.“He was ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with them. At which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position,” Bradshaw said. The two agents and the deputy “fired their weapons to neutralize the threat.”The FBI asked residents who live near Mar-a-Lago to check any security cameras they may have for footage that could help investigators.The suspect, who was in his early 20s and from North Carolina, was reported missing a few days ago by his family. Investigators believe he left North Carolina and headed south, picking up a shotgun along the way, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said, who added that the box for the gun was recovered in his vehicle.Guglielmi said that the man drove through the north gate of Mar-a-Lago as another vehicle was exiting.Investigators are working to compile a psychological profile and a motive is still under investigation. Asked whether the individual was known to law enforcement, Bradshaw said “not right now.”In July 2024, Trump was wounded during an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. In September 2024, a man with a rifle who was waiting near Trump’s golf course in Florida was taken into custody. He was sentenced to life in prison.

The U.S. Secret Service announced Sunday that an armed man was shot and killed after entering the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

Although Trump often spends weekends at his resort, he was at the White House during the shooting. First Lady Melania Trump was also with the president.

The name of the person who was shot has not been released. According to the Secret Service, he was “observed by the north gate of the Mar-a-Lago property carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can.” The incident took place at 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw, speaking at a brief press conference, said the man was confronted by two Secret Service agents and a sheriff’s deputy.

“He was ordered to drop those two pieces of equipment that he had with them. At which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position,” Bradshaw said. The two agents and the deputy “fired their weapons to neutralize the threat.”

The FBI asked residents who live near Mar-a-Lago to check any security cameras they may have for footage that could help investigators.

The suspect, who was in his early 20s and from North Carolina, was reported missing a few days ago by his family. Investigators believe he left North Carolina and headed south, picking up a shotgun along the way, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said, who added that the box for the gun was recovered in his vehicle.

Guglielmi said that the man drove through the north gate of Mar-a-Lago as another vehicle was exiting.

Investigators are working to compile a psychological profile and a motive is still under investigation. Asked whether the individual was known to law enforcement, Bradshaw said “not right now.”

In July 2024, Trump was wounded during an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. In September 2024, a man with a rifle who was waiting near Trump’s golf course in Florida was taken into custody. He was sentenced to life in prison.



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Best horse racing betting sites: How to bet on horse racing in 2026

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In the United States, state laws separate sportsbooks and the best horse racing betting sites. Even though you cannot bet on horse racing on sports betting apps, there are many racebook apps with promos currently available. On this page, we will offer an introduction to horse racing betting, including the best apps for online horse betting, like TwinSpires, FanDuel Racing, and 1/ST BET. 

Best horse racing betting apps

Comparing the best horse racing betting sites and promos

Three of the major horse racing betting sites are FanDuel Racing, TwinSpires and 1/ST BET. Each one offers promos and bonus offers for both new and existing users.

Using multiple racing books can allow you to take advantage of each book’s offers and promos to try and maximize your returns.

FanDuel Racing No Sweat First Bet up to $500 No code required
TwinSpires Up to $400 in Bonus Funds ($100 per $400 wagered) CBSSPORTS
1/ST BET Up to $500 Sign-Up Bonus ($20 per every $100 wagered)   500BET

FanDuel Racing promo: No Sweat First Bet up to $500

FanDuel Racing is currently offering a No Sweat First Bet. If your first win bet loses, get racing credits up to $500. Just click the link in the table above if interested in claiming now. No special FanDuel Racing promo code is required. 

For those who may bet on sports with FanDuel, FanDuel Racing is a separate entity that requires creating a separate account. 

TwinSpires promo: Up to $400 Sign-Up Bonus

TwinSpires is offering up to $400 in bonus credits for new users. Get a $100 bonus credit for every $400 wagered, with a maximum of $400 in bonus credits available for this welcome offer. No TwinSpires promo code is required. Those interested can click the link in the table above. 

After $400 in wagers settle (after races finish and results are official), TwinSpires will add a $100 bonus credit to your account balance. If you wager $800, another $100 will be added for a total of $200 in bonus credits. Bonus credits pay out the same as cash wagers on winning bets. 

1/ST BET promo: Up to $500 in wagering credits

New users can get up to $500 in bonus bets with 1/ST BET by using the promo code “500BET” when signing up. New users will receive a $20 wagering credit for each $100 wagered on the app in their first 60 days. The maximum in wagering credits that can be accrued is $500, which would require wagering $2,500. 

How to bet on horse racing: Most popular types of wagers

There are a number of different wagering options available on each race, and here we will go through the three traditional bets – Win, Place and Show – as well as the combinations of each. 

Each horse will have different odds for each bet type. These odds let you know what the expected return on that horse will be. It’s important to note that the odds on each horse fluctuate throughout the day and payouts are calculated based on the final odds, not the exact odds from the time you place your bet. That is because racebooks use parimutuel wagering.

Differences in horse racing odds vs. sportsbook odds

Horse racing odds rely on parimutuel wagering, which is a system that pools together all of the money bet on each market up until the race begins. The track and the books take a certain percentage or rake for their operations (the Takeout), and the remainder of the pool is then divided among the winning ticket holders. The takeout is divided between the house (track) and horsemen, including race purses.  

What is particularly unique about this system for those who are accustomed to betting on sports is that your odds can shift after you place the bet until they lock when the race begins. In sports betting, if you bet something at 10-1 and it later moves to 8-1, you still receive the 10-1 payout. In horse racing, your payout will change based on the way the market moves to create the final odds. The final odds you’ll be paid out at are determined by how much is bet on each horse and the Takeout. 

The standard horse racing unit for win, place, or show bets is $2.

Win

The win bet is simply betting on which horse will come in first place in the race. Using the 2026 Herbie Dyke Stakes as an example, the winner was Legarto and finished with 12-5 odds. A $2 Win bet paid $6.80, a product of the standard $4.80 for a 12-5 payout on a $2 bet, plus your original $2 wager amount back.

Place

The Place bet allows you to wager on whether a horse will finish first or second in a race, meaning two Place bets will pay out on each race. This gives you a greater chance of winning, but lowers your odds on the horse if they place. 

Using the 2025 Kentucky Derby as the example again, a $2 Place bet on the No. 18 horse only returned $7.50 compared to the $17.96 for a Win bet. But also, a $2 Place bet on the No. 8 horse (Journalism), who was the favorite but came in second, paid $4.94 while the Win bet lost. 

Show

The Show bet is an even more conservative betting option, as you are wagering on whether that horse will finish in the top three positions. That means three Show bets will pay out each race. For example, a $2 Show bet on a 10-1 winner returned $4. As you can see, show bet odds are far lower than win bet odds.    

Win/Place

You can also combine these bets on each horse when you’re placing your wagers. That means if you want to bet on a horse to win and place, you can do that. A $2 Win/Place bet really means you’re betting $4 – a $2 Win bet and a $2 Place bet. If the horse you bet on wins, you will win both bets. If the horse finishes second, you would only win the Place bet. 

Place/Show

The same is available for a Place/Show bet, where a $2 Place/Show bet would be $4 wagered on a $2 Place bet and a $2 Show bet. If your horse finishes first or second, you would win both, but if it finishes thir,d you would only win the Show bet. 

Win/Place/Show (Across The Board) 

Finally, you can bet on all three options in what is often referred to as an Across The Board bet. A $2 Across The Board bet would really be $6 wagered – $2 on Win, $2 on Place, and $2 on Show. If you make an Across The Board bet and your horse wins, you pay out on all three wagers. 

It’s important to note that betting on Win/Place/Show combinations may not result in a net return even if one of the bets pays. For example, at the 2024 Kentucky Derby, an Across The Board bet on the 11 horse would’ve returned just $5.58 on $6 wagered. 

How to bet on horse racing: Exotics wagering

Many horse racing bettors will place exotic bets where they try to predict where multiple horses will finish in a race. These combination wagers offer the chance for bigger payouts, but come with a lower probability of winning (just like same game parlays in sports betting). 

It is important to note that, unlike sports betting, there is no standard odds calculation to use for determining exotic payouts. Because of Parimutuel wagering, odds can fluctuate until the race begins, depending on which horses other bettors are backing. 

Exactas

An exacta bet is picking the two horses that finish first and second in the exact order. Once again using the 2025 Kentucky Derby as an example, a $2 exacta on the No. 18 and No. 8 horses (who closed with final odds of 7-1 and almost 3-1) paid $48.32.

Exotics winnings will vary based on the number of horses in the race, the odds of the top-finishing horses, and the size of the pool. For example, the field for the 2024 Kentucky Derby saw a longer shot horse win, so the exacta pool paid $258.56 — significantly more than the 2025 Derby. 

Trifectas

This horse racing wager is placing a bet on the exact order of the top-three finishers in a race. A straight trifecta will pay handsomely, but is extremely difficult to hit. Trifecta payouts are often shown for $0.50 bets, but some will show for $1 bets as well. The payout screen will tell you which, but that’s important to note so you’re aware of how much you are getting back. 

The 2025 Kentucky Derby Trifecta paid $231.12 on a $1 Trifecta bet. 

Superfectas

Superfecta bets try to predict the exact order of the top-four finishers in a horse race. The superfecta payout is usually shown for a $1 bet. For the 2025 Kentucky Derby, a $1 superfecta that added the fourth-place No. 3 horse to the trifecta paid $1,682.27.

Super High 5

Some books will even allow you to bet on the top-five finishers in their exact order in what is called a Super High 5 bet. Those payouts will again be shown for a $1 wager. The odds of hitting a Super High 5, especially in a large field race, are exceptionally low. 

The 2025 Kentucky Derby’s $1 Super High Five paid $38,405.96.

Box

A box bet allows you to have every possible combination for exotics. If you think you know which two horses will hit the exacta but are not sure in what order, you can box it. The same goes for trifectas and superfectas. The more horses you box together, the lower your total profits on the payout will be. 

For example, a three-horse exacta box bet costs $12 to bet, as you are betting $2 on all six potential combinations between those three horses:

  • $2 on No. 1 in first, No. 2 in second
  • $2 on No. 2 in first and No. 3 second
  • $2 on No. 3 in first and No. 1 in second
  • $2 on No. 3 in first and No. 2 in second
  • $2 on No. 2 in first and No. 1 in second
  • $2 on No. 1 in first and No. 3 in second

You can do the same for Trifectas and Superfectas, but at exponentially escalating costs. A $1 Trifecta Box with three horses is six combinations, so $6 wagered:

  • $1 on No. 1 in first, No. 2 in second, No. 3 in third
  • $1 on No. 1 in first, No. 3 in second, No. 2 in first
  • $1 on No. 2 in first, No. 1 in second, No. 3 in third
  • $1 on No. 2 in first, No. 3 in first, No. 1 in second
  • $1 on No. 3 in first, No. 1 in second, No. 2 in third
  • $1 on No. 3 in first, No. 2 in second, No. 1 in first

From there, four horses in a $1 trifecta box is 24 combinations for $24 wagered. Five horses is 60 possible combinations for $60. 

A $1 Superfecta box of four horses is $24 wagered, five horses is $120 wagered and six horses is $360 wagered. 

How to bet on horse racing: Multi-race wagers

While those exotics offer a variety of options for betting on individual races, you can also bet on multiple races at the same track in various ways. These combination wagers will pay out based on the betting pool, but they allow you to put together a handful of horses you’re confident in throughout the day to increase your potential payout. 

Daily Double

The Daily Double is what it sounds like: Betting on back-to-back race winners from that day. The odds for Daily Doubles vary based on the odds for the individual horses you bet and the Daily Double betting pool. As an example, the $2 Daily Double at Horseshoe Indianapolis on April 15, 2025 from the first two races with the 7 horse in the first race (went off at 1-1 odds) and the 4 horse in the second race (went off at 3-5 odds) paid $8. 

Once the first race ends, the payouts for each potential Daily Double will be shown under a “Will Pays” tab on the next race’s betting screen. 

Pick-3, Pick-4, Pick-5 and Pick-6

Along with the Daily Double, there are more options for betting the winner of multiple races in a row at the same track. The Pick-3 is picking the winner in three consecutive races, the Pick-4 in four consecutive races, and so on for the Pick-5 and Pick-6.

Like exotics, the pool amount and the odds for each horse wagered on determine the payouts for these multi-race wagers. The default unit for these bets varies from book to book, with FanDuel showing $0.50 payouts and TwinSpires showing $1 payouts in the Will Pays section. 

The more races you put together on a ticket, the more you can win. But as with any multi-race wager, the more legs you add, the harder it is to win. 

For some of the biggest races, the Pick-6 will feature a set guaranteed prize pool for the winner(s) no matter what the actual wagered amount is. The 2024 Kentucky Derby featured a $1 million guaranteed pool on TwinSpires for Pick-6s on races 6 through 11 at Churchill Downs. 

Understanding horse racing payouts

After the race, the winning payouts will be displayed for each bet type at a designated amount. The standard unit for win/place/show and exactas is a $2 bet. Trifectas, superfectas and super high 5s are typically shown as $1 or $0.50, but will say explicitly which on the payout board. 

The payouts for each horse in the top three for the 2025 Kentucky Derby looked as follows:

Sovereignty (No. 18)

$17.96

$7.50

$5.58

Journalism (No. 8)

$4.94

$3.70

Baeza (No. 21)

$8.38

If you bet more (or less) than the standard $2 unit, you multiply the payout by how much you bet and divide by the standard unit. For example, a $10 Win bet on Sovereignty returned $89.80, while a $25 Show bet on Journalism would’ve returned $46.25. 

For the single-race exotics at the 2025 Kentucky Derby, the payouts were as follows: 

$2 Exacta (18-8)

$48.32

$1 Trifecta (18-8-21)

$231.12

$1 Superfecta (18-8-21-3)

$1,682.27

$1 Super High 5 (18-8-21-3-20)

$38,405.96

Kentucky Derby betting and the Road to the Kentucky Derby

The most famous race in horse racing is the Kentucky Derby. How to bet on the Kentucky Derby is the same as any other horse race, with one twist that makes it more unpredictable. 

Typically, there are a maximum of 20 horses that will run in the Kentucky Derby. Horses must be nominated and also collect enough points through various qualifying series to get a starting gate. The biggest of those is the Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying series that begins the year prior and includes events nationwide. 

There are 36 races in the primary Road to the Kentucky Derby series in 2026, with two separate prep-race series for international horses leading up to Derby 152. The races scheduled closest to the Derby are part of Championship Season, where horses can earn the most points towards qualification for the coveted Kentucky Derby field. 

The Championship Season is headlined by major Grade-1 Stakes races like the Louisiana Derby, Arkansas Derby, Florida Derby and Blue Grass Stakes. 

There are also opportunities for horses overseas to qualify through the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby and the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, with the winners from each series getting a Derby post position. 

Kentucky Derby Future Wagers Pools

In the months leading up to the Kentucky Derby each year, horse racing betting sites and apps offer access to futures pools for the Kentucky Derby. Unlike in race day wagers, though, if the horse you bet on does not run, your bet is not refunded. In exchange for this risk, players who pinpoint Kentucky Derby starters often get far better odds than on race day. 

Here is the schedule of Kentucky Derby future wager pools for the 2026 Derby:

  • Pool 1: October 29-31, 2025 CLOSED
  • Pool 2: November 27-30, 2025 CLOSED
  • Pool 3: January 16-18, 2026 CLOSED
  • Pool 4: February 13-15, 2026 CLOSED
  • Pool 5: March 13-15, 2026 (additional Kentucky Oaks future wager pool available)
  • Pool 6: April 2-4, 2026 

Each pool closes at 6 p.m. ET on the final day of wagering. 

Biggest horse races beyond Kentucky Derby betting

The horse racing calendar operates year-round, but there are six events on the schedule that serve as the biggest and feature the largest purses, thus attracting the best fields. The three Triple Crown events headline for the general public, but the Breeders’ Cup, Pegasus World Cup and Dubai World Cup all offer massive purses and attract some of the best horses and fields in all of racing.

  • January 24, 2026: Pegasus World Cup
  • March 28, 2026: Dubai World Cup
  • October 30-31, 2026: Breeders’ Cup 

Triple Crown of horse racing

The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes make up horse racing’s Triple Crown. There are 13 horses that have completed the Triple Crown, winning all three events, and just two – American Pharoah (2015) and Justified (2018) – have accomplished that feat in the 21st century. 

Not every horse competes in all three Triple Crown events, as each race operates at different lengths and the turnaround time can be too quick for trainers to be comfortable running their horse again at the next race. Some Derby winners don’t run the Preakness and some have made it two legs before withdrawing from the Belmont. 

The Kentucky Derby is a 1 1/4 mile race, the Preakness Stakes is 1 3/16 mile, and the Belmont Stakes is a grueling 1 1/2 mile event (although it is being run currently at 1 1/4 mile at Saratoga Race Course due to renovations at Belmont Park). 

Tips and advice for betting on horse racing

There are a number of strategies for betting on horse racing, but it all starts with understanding the horses and knowing their strengths, weaknesses and past performances. 

Racing forms and past performances

These are race-day publications and programs available at tracks and online to preview the day’s races at each track, and they are full of data and information from past races. All of the best horse racing betting apps have integrated much of this information into its betting screens for each race. 

Track conditions

Before you even get to the horses, understanding track conditions is vital. Knowing if a track is dirt or grass, firm and fast or soft and slow, is critical information to know so you can look at which horses in a given race run best in certain conditions. 

Horse tendencies 

From there, you want to understand the tendencies of horses in the field. Some horses get out to fast starts and try to push the pace, while others hang back and try to make a late kick. If most of the field is expected to push the pace and run it fast, then a horse that prefers to stay back may be at an advantage due to an unsustainable early pace. 

The opposite could be true, too; if the pace is going to be slower early, frontrunners are more likely to hold their position. Some of this information can be found in PPs or Past Performance data. 

Post position

Post position can also matter to a horse’s success. Some prefer to run the rail (on the inside of the track) while others prefer being on the outside and having more space. This information is all worth factoring in and comparing with the other horses in the field to determine who you will bet on.

Trainer and jockey information

A horse’s trainer and jockey will also have tendencies. Some trainers are better at getting horses ready for a certain type of track, but maybe don’t have a great track record at others. Some jockeys may be more or less aggressive on the track, which may or may not work well with that specific horse’s tendencies, or they may have a long track record with that horse and know how to get the most out of them. 

Workout times

There’s also plenty of data available that can help you. Workout times, if available, can give you an idea of how a horse has been running in training before a big race. 

Speed figures

Speed figures are like advanced stats of the horse racing world, offering a metric to show how well a horse has been running in its recent races that factors in things like field strength and track quality. 

Taking all of that data into account is important to betting on horse racing, and for beginners it’s best to ease in and do as much observing as you do betting. You’ll start to find certain trends for horses, jockeys, trainers and tracks that can help you find edges on the odds board going forward.

Manage your horse racing betting bankroll

Managing your bankroll with what percentage of money you have set aside for horse racing betting is vital to increasing your chances of scoring big at some point. Just like in sports betting, where most bankroll management experts advise no more than 2% of your bankroll should be bet on any given game, the same principle can be applied to any given horse race. 

Rules and responsible gaming

Responsible gambling is taken very seriously across all racebooks. All provide the necessary resources and contact information if you or someone you know may have a gambling problem. The minimum age is 18 for horse racing betting in most states, but it is 21 in some states.

Responsible gambling resources include the National Council for Problem Gambling (NCPG) and Gamblers Anonymous. Be smart. Bet smart. Wager responsibly. Those in need of help can also call or text 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537). Help is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.





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Team USA scores first goal in men’s hockey final

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Applications open for NMEDD Advanced Energy Award

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NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Applications are open for the Advanced Energy Award. The state-funded grant comes from the Economic Development Department, assisting small businesses with a focus on tech and innovation. This award is split into two categories: research and development, and pilot projects. Applicants can request up to $1 million for their proposed works. The […]



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Fatal Fire at Parents’ Home Was Accidental

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Officials have released findings from an investigation into a deadly house fire that broke out at NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin’s parents’ home in Gaston County, N.C. last December.

Read More: 1 Dead After Fire at NASCAR Driver Denny Hamlin’s Parents’ Home

Hamlin’s father Dennis Hamlin, 75, died of injuries sustained in the fire. The racer’s mother Mary Lou Hamlin, 69, was grievously injured, but survived.

What Was the Cause of the Deadly Fire That Killed NASCAR Driver Denny Hamlin’s Father?

On Friiday (Feb. 20), the Gaston County Emergency Management and Fire Services released investigation results that determined the fire was accidental, according to local NBC affiliate WCNC.

Beyond that, they could not find a cause for the deadly blaze.

The report states that the fire origination in the Hamlin home’s bedroom. The house was rurally located near the town of Stanley, N.C., which is about 30 miles northwest of Charlotte.

House Fire

WCNC, YouTube/Lucia-Riverbend Fire Department

The entire home was destroyed in the fire, and the report lists the property damages from the tragedy at more than $776,000.

What Happened During the Deadly Fire at NASCAR Driver Denny Hamlin’s Parents Home?

Initial reports stated that the fire broke out in the evening of Dec. 28. Firefighters responded around 6pm.

  • It took about two hours to extinguish the blaze, due to a lack of water in the area.
  • Early reports said that two people were inside at the time, and they were transported to the hospital.
  • Their identities weren’t originally made public, and the following day, it was revealed that one person had died and the other was in critical care.

The person who died in the fire was later revealed to be Dennis Hamlin.

Who Was NASCAR Driver Denny Hamlin’s Father, Dennis Hamlin?

An obituary for Dennis Hamlin describes him as a tireless supporter of his son’s racing career, and mentions his love for classic cars, saying he found “great joy and peace” in the “countless hours” he spent working on them in his garage.

In a video interview with NASCAR on Fox, Denny Hamlin said that his parents made significant sacrifices, including putting a third mortgage on their home and opening up multiple credit cards, in order to further his dream of becoming a NASCAR driver.

“My dad’s role, essentially, was earning a really hard living to make sure that he could support his son’s dream,” he reflected.

In addition to Denny, he was father to David Hamlin, Lisa Chapman and Kim Porter, according to the obituary. No funeral information was publicly available as of the time the obituary was published.

After the tragedy, Hamlin shared a message on the social media platform X thanking fans for their well-wishes and support. He also said that his mother’s condition “continues to improve” after the injuries she sustained in the fire.

Remembering the Country Stars Who Died in 2026

Just weeks into the new year, country fans have already mourned the deaths of a few of their favorite musicians and other large-looming figures of pop culture. Keep reading to remember the singers, musicians, actors and other notable figures we’ve lost so far in 2026.

Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak

11 Country Singers Who Died in Plane Crashes

This list proves that small risks an artist takes each time they travel to a show adds up.

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes





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Boxing is better when Ryan Garcia is on top of his game

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LAS VEGAS — “Crossroads fight” is one of the most overused terms in boxing. However, in the case of Ryan Garcia, it was more than appropriate for his fight against Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title on Saturday.

A win would allow Garcia to realize his massive potential and capture his first major world title after a tumultuous past couple of years that had many questioning if his desire would ever match his immense potential and exceptional talent. A loss would have been devastating for one of the most popular fighters in all of boxing, relegating him to one of the biggest “What if?” stories in recent memory.

Fortunately for Garcia, the former scenario took place as he dominated Barrios with a blistering combination of speed and power while pitching a near shutout at T-Mobile Arena to snare his first world championship. The victory opened a plethora of lucrative opportunities for his first title defense as he will have his pick from an incredibly deep pool of opponents calling out for the opportunity to step inside the ring with him.

And, truthfully, boxing is in a better place when Garcia is at the top of his game.

“I feel so grounded and peaceful,” Garcia said at the postfight news conference, drawing a contrast with a turbulent two years in which he dealt with adversity in and out of the ring. “I don’t even think I’ve come close to hitting my ceiling of potential yet. I think this is going to go even crazier and I’m going to be even better than what I showed today.”

Garcia was brilliant in dismantling Barrios, who couldn’t keep up with Garcia’s exceptional speed and pinpoint punching that left him like a deer in headlights for most of the fight. Garcia is a special talent with a devastating left hook. However, he showcased a complete skill set that began with a pair of overhand rights in the first round that put Barrios on the canvas and set the tone for the rest of the fight. Simply put, when Garcia is at his best, few can match his unique skills.

Garcia has always been willing to test himself against the best in boxing, but his previous attempts might have been premature, as losses to Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Rolando “Rolly” Romero — along with his no-contest against Devin Haney due to a failed test for a banned substance — stymied his progress. His performance Saturday suggests that he’s ready to fully step into his potential and take on all challengers.

“You know who I want? He’s right there. So, Shakur Stevenson, let’s go,” Garcia said in the ring following his win. “Hey, I want to be a great champion, and I’m not scared of s—. I fought Devin Haney. I’ll fight Shakur Stevenson. I’ll fight anybody.”

Garcia lost to Stevenson in the amateurs in 2013 and has been waiting ever since to get his revenge. With Stevenson’s recent domination of Teofimo Lopez Jr. to become the WBO junior welterweight champion, it appears likely that a fight can be made between the two.

“I still got that chip on my shoulder,” Garcia said. “I’ve been wanting that rematch for a minute. Hopefully we get it.”

With Garcia already solidified as a star and Stevenson on the rise with his recent performance, a fight between the two could be one of the biggest in boxing. And Stevenson sees nothing in the way of making that fight happen next.

“He wants to fight me, and I want to fight him, so it should be easy to get done,” Stevenson said during the DAZN postfight show. “I’m going to make easy work out of him.”

Between the trash talk and the styles clash, Garcia-Stevenson would be a massive fight, even if weren’t for a world title. However, another possibility for Garcia is a rematch with WBO welterweight champion Haney, which would be a massive title unification bout with an enticing storyline attached.

Garcia and Haney have unfinished business with significantly higher stakes now that they are both world champions. Garcia-Haney 2 should be the fight to make next.

“Devin doesn’t want that,” Garcia said dismissively. “He’s terrified.”

Aside from Stevenson and Haney, fighters such as Conor Benn and Romero all want a piece of “KingRy.”

“Congratulations champ. See you later this year. Make sure you keep my belt warm,” Benn, who recently left Matchroom Boxing to sign with Zuffa Boxing, posted on X after the fight.

As for Stevenson, a showdown with Benn in the U.K. for his welterweight debut would be the perfect way to set him up to face the winner of Garcia-Haney.

Years ago, Garcia was one of boxing’s new four kings but was a king without a crown coming into his fight Saturday. Now that he has been crowned and taken his place as one of the rulers of the welterweight division, everything feels bigger and more significant. He already had the money and fame. Now he has the respect of his peers.

The stakes are higher than ever for Garcia, and things are a lot more interesting when he’s performing at a high level.



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U.S.-born skier Eileen Gu defends Olympic ski halfpipe gold at Milano Cortina Games

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Eileen Gu defended her Olympic ski halfpipe title on Sunday to make it six medals in six events over her Winter Games career.

The 22-year-old Gu, American-born but competing for her mother’s homeland of China, is already the most decorated freeskier in the short history of the sport at the Olympics. She also captured two silver medals at the Milan Cortina Games, to pair with two golds and a silver from the Beijing Games.

Gu won the event on the strength of her second run, a clean, technically sound pass. She got even better in her final run — pumping his ski poles after landing the final trick — and finished with a score of 94.75. Her teammate, Li Fanghui, took silver and Zoe Atkin of Britain was third.

Freestyle Skiing - Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Day 16

Ailing Eileen Gu of Team China reacts after competing in the third run of the Women’s Freeski Halfpipe Final at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

Cameron Spencer / Getty Images


“She is unreal. It’s pretty crazy how good she is,” New Zealand’s Mischa Thomas said of Gu. “She is ‘Wonder Woman.'”

The event was rescheduled to Sunday following a big snowstorm the night before. It was a bright, sunny day as Gu shone in the final event at the Livigno Snow Park. She shielded her eyes from the sun to catch a peek of her winning score — and instantly liked what she saw.

There were quite a few Gu fans at the base of the halfpipe, holding up pictures of her and waving flags.

Atkin, an American-born skier who competes for her father’s homeland of Britain, soared high all contest, a staggering 5.4 meters (18 feet) above the pipe at one point. She finished ninth at the Beijing Games but has been a steady presence on World Cup podiums ever since. She has three victories over the last four years, all in events where Gu didn’t compete. The 23-year-old Atkin is the defending world champion.

In her second run, Thomas dropped into the halfpipe — and dropped her phone. It had to be retrieved for Thomas. After the competition, she reported: “My phone is great. Never been better.”

Freestyle Skiing - Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Day 16

Gold medalist Ailing Eileen Gu, silver medalist Fanghui Li, both of Team China, and bronze medalist Zoe Atkin of Team Great Britain celebrate after the Women’s Freeski Halfpipe Final at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

Cameron Spencer / Getty Images


Svea Irving was a “DNS” — did not start — in the American’s second run. She returned for a third run but struggled to complete a maneuver and finished in 11th.

“It was pretty insane,” Thomas said on the broadcast of the competition.

Atkin took the lead after the first run with a smooth performance. Meanwhile, Gu lost her balance on her first trick and cut the run short.

Cassie Sharpe of Canada sat out the final after a hard crash in Thursday’s qualifying round. She won the gold in the event at the 2018 PyeongChang Games and silver four years later in Beijing.



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Eileen Gu defends Olympic ski halfpipe gold

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Freestyle skier Alex Pereira now has *** full set of Olympic medals after winning gold in freeski halfpipe. The event had to be rescheduled because of bad weather that condensed the competition to just 1 day. Athletes qualified in the morning, then competed for medals just 9 hours later. It was Ferreira’s 3rd run that offered judges tricks so complex and flawless. executed that he pulled *** 93.75 score cementing that gold medal. His Olympic podium wins now include silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022 and the gold in 2020206. Fellow American Nick Goepper finished in fourth place after he crashed out hard on his third run of the competition at the Milan Cortina Olympics. I’m Deirdre Fitzpatrick.

Eileen Gu defends Olympic ski halfpipe gold, makes it 6 medals in 6 events over Winter Games career

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Updated: 6:06 AM MST Feb 22, 2026

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Maybe the most staggering thing of Eileen Gu’s entire gold medal-winning day was she lost her balance on the first trick in her first run.Perhaps she is mortal? But maybe not as Gu defended her Olympic ski halfpipe title on Sunday to make it six medals in six events over her Winter Games career. Video above: Alex Ferreira wins gold in freeski halfpipe at Milan Cortina Olympics“She is ‘Wonder Woman,’” New Zealand’s Mischa Thomas said.The 22-year-old Gu, American-born but competing for her mother’s homeland of China, is already the most decorated freeskier in the short history of the sport at the Olympics. She also captured two silver medals at the Milan Cortina Games, to pair with two golds and a silver from the Beijing Games.“The reason I love the records so much is that it’s not about man or woman,” Gu said. “I’m the most decorated freeskier of all time, male or female. … That’s a testament to competitive strength, it’s mental strength. It’s being able to perform under pressure. It has nothing to (do with) if you’re a boy or a girl.”Gu won the event on the strength of her second run, a clean, technically sound pass. She got even better in her final run — pumping his ski poles after landing the final trick — and finished with a score of 94.75. Her teammate, Li Fanghui, took silver, and Zoe Atkin of Britain was third.“She is unreal,” Thomas said of Gu. “It’s pretty crazy how good she is.”The event was rescheduled to Sunday following a big snowstorm the night before. It was a bright, sunny day as Gu shined in the final event at the Livigno Snow Park. She shielded her eyes from the sun to catch a peek of her winning score — and instantly liked what she saw.There were quite a few Gu fans at the base of the halfpipe, holding up pictures of her and waving flags.“Being able to lead the way and pioneer the sport is something I never imagined I’d be able to do,” Gu said. “But I’m really honored and proud that I have.” Atkin, an American-born skier who competes for her father’s homeland of Britain, soared high all contest, a staggering 5.4 meters (18 feet) above the pipe at one point. She finished ninth at the Beijing Games but has been a steady presence on World Cup podiums ever since. She has three victories over the last four years, all in events where Gu didn’t compete.The 23-year-old Atkin is the defending world champion.“(Gu) is a really great competitor. She’s a really amazing skier,” said Atkin, whose sister, Isabel, won an Olympic bronze in ski slopestyle at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. “We have an amazing group of skiers as well. I think the level is truly unmatched, and I think that’s really special. I think that makes it really exciting to watch for the next coming years.”Canada’s Amy Fraser echoed that.“She’s a great skier, and she raises the level for everyone else, but she’s not unbeatable,” said Fraser, who finished fourth. “I don’t think the level is untouchable.”In her second run, Thomas dropped into the halfpipe — and dropped her phone. It had to be retrieved for Thomas. After the competition, she reported: “My phone is great. Never been better.”Svea Irving was a “DNS” — did not start — in the American’s second run. She returned for a third run but struggled to complete a maneuver and finished in 11th.Atkin took the lead after the first run with a smooth performance. Meanwhile, Gu lost her balance on her first trick and cut the run short.Cassie Sharpe of Canada sat out the final after a hard crash in Thursday’s qualifying round. She won the gold in the event at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and silver four years later in Beijing.

Eileen Gu defended her Olympic ski halfpipe title on Sunday to make it six medals in six events over her Winter Games career.

Video above: Alex Ferreira wins gold in freeski halfpipe at Milan Cortina Olympics

The 22-year-old Gu, American-born but competing for her mother’s homeland of China, is already the most decorated freeskier in the short history of the sport at the Olympics. She also captured two silver medals at the Milan Cortina Games, to pair with two golds and a silver from the Beijing Games.

Gold medalist Ailing Eileen Gu of Team People's Republic of China celebrates during the medal ceremony with her collection of medals for the Women's Freeski Halfpipe Final on day sixteen of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Livigno Air Park on Feb. 22, 2026, in Livigno, Italy.

Cameron Spencer

Gold medalist Ailing Eileen Gu of Team People’s Republic of China celebrates during the medal ceremony with her collection of medals for the Women’s Freeski Halfpipe Final on day sixteen of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Livigno Air Park on Feb. 22, 2026, in Livigno, Italy.

Gu won the event on the strength of her second run, a clean, technically sound pass. She got even better in her final run — pumping his ski poles after landing the final trick — and finished with a score of 94.75. Her teammate, Li Fanghui, took silver and Zoe Atkin of Britain was third.

“She is unreal. It’s pretty crazy how good she is,” New Zealand’s Mischa Thomas said of Gu. “She is ‘Wonder Woman.’”

The event was rescheduled to Sunday following a big snowstorm the night before. It was a bright, sunny day as Gu shined in the final event at the Livigno Snow Park. She shielded her eyes from the sun to catch a peek of her winning score — and instantly liked what she saw.

There were quite a few Gu fans at the base of the halfpipe, holding up pictures of her and waving flags.

China's Eileen Gu during the Women's Freeski Halfpipe Final at the Livigno Snow Park, on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Italy.

David Davies – PA Images

China’s Eileen Gu during the Women’s Freeski Halfpipe Final at the Livigno Snow Park, on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Italy.

Atkin, an American-born skier who competes for her father’s homeland of Britain, soared high all contest, a staggering 5.4 meters (18 feet) above the pipe at one point. She finished ninth at the Beijing Games but has been a steady presence on World Cup podiums ever since. She has three victories over the last four years, all in events where Gu didn’t compete. The 23-year-old Atkin is the defending world champion.

In her second run, Thomas dropped into the halfpipe — and dropped her phone. It had to be retrieved for Thomas. After the competition, she reported: “My phone is great. Never been better.”

Svea Irving was a “DNS” — did not start — in the American’s second run. She returned for a third run but struggled to complete a maneuver and finished in 11th.

“It was pretty insane,” Thomas said on the broadcast of the competition.

Atkin took the lead after the first run with a smooth performance. Meanwhile, Gu lost her balance on her first trick and cut the run short.

Cassie Sharpe of Canada sat out the final after a hard crash in Thursday’s qualifying round. She won the gold in the event at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and silver four years later in Beijing.



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Everton vs. Manchester United prediction, odds, picks, expert bets for Feb. 23

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Manchester United will look to avenge one of its more embarrassing losses in recent memory when they visit Everton in an English Premier League matchup on Monday. Man U sit fourth in the Premier League table and have won four of their last five EPL matches. Everton is coming off a 2-1 loss to Bournemouth. 

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET on Monday, Feb. 23. Everton are +260 underdogs (wager $100 to win $260) in the latest Everton vs. Manchester United odds on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Manchester United are -105 favorites (wager $105 to win $100). A draw is +285 and the total is 2.5 (Over -145, Under +115). You can find the latest Everton vs. Manchester United predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model, and be sure to see what SportsLine expert Jon Eimer is betting before locking in your wagers for this contest.

Sign up for DraftKings Sportsbook to bet on EPL games and get $200 in bonus bets if your first wager of $5 or more wins:

Eimer finished 2023 as SportsLine’s No. 1 soccer expert, posting a 248-234-12 record (+25.93 units) on SportsLine article picks. Eimer has been red-hot in 2025, posting a profit in multiple leagues, including the Premier League, Champions League, La Liga and more. Anyone following his soccer betting picks could have seen huge returns at sportsbooks and on betting apps. 

Here are Eimer’s best bets and analysis for Everton vs. Manchester United on Monday.

Everton vs. Manchester United best bets

  • Manchester United Over 1.5 team total (-120): 1 unit, BetMGM
  • Both teams to score + Over 2.5 goals (+100): 1 unit, BetMGM

Manchester United want revenge

The reverse fixture between these two sides saw Manchester United experience one of their more embarrassing defeats this season. United faced Everton at home only to see midfielder Idrissa Gueye receive a red card in the 13th minute for Everton. United played a man up for a total of 85 minutes and ended up not only losing, but failing to score in their 1-0 defeat. Manchester United were the talk of the news cycle that week as they were dragged through the mud for their inability to produce a result, and that should be on the back of their mind in this fixture. 

Even though United just drew against West Ham, they’ve been in fantastic form in the new year, and I expect them to press against an Everton side missing their best attacker and a key defender. 

Bet on Everton vs. Manchester United at BetMGM using the promo code CBSSPORTS, which gives new users up to $1,500 in bonus bets if their qualifying wager loses:

Everton’s defensive woes in 2026

Everton have shown some serious signs of improvement this season. The club finished 15th two years ago, 13th last season and are currently positioned safely at eighth on the EPL table right now. While the club has found some success, their defense in the new year does have me a bit concerned as they face a strong United attack. 

They’ve played eight matches in 2026 and only a single time were they able to keep a clean sheet. They’ve conceded 11 goals over those six matches, and going against United they’ll be without a senior defender, Jake O’Brien, who was sent off with a red card last match in their loss to Bournemouth, which will put more pressure on Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski to hold that backline. Everton is good enough to score here with Dewsbury-Hall and lliman Ndiaye in form, but expect that defense to let some through.





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