than Deshaun Watson, who added 134 more points than an average QB would have with the same number of plays. Where does Baker Mayfield stack up? His 78 QB points added ranked 11th overall and

Sometimes its okay to just watch them run, to strip away all the folderol that has nothing to do with the heart of the matter and simply enjoy the sight of a remarkable Thoroughbred in action.It happened that way with Tom Fool on Oct. 24, 1953, when he faced just two in the Pimlico Special, the final start of his career. There was no betting on the race -- I mean, whats the point? -- and Tom Fool already had secured his Horse of the Year title with nine straight wins. But the 18,965 fans were there to see the big horse run, as well as gamble on eight other races, and Tom Fool did not disappoint. He won by eight in track-record time.The New York fans who gathered at Aqueduct on Sept. 22, 1965, had no way of knowing that the featured Stymie Handicap would be Kelsos last moment in the sun. Yes, he was 8 years old, but he was also a force of nature who had been Horse of the Year at 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. The sight of Kelso entering the stretch in splendid isolation that day moved the crowd to applaud in cadence with his every stride --- a rare tribute usually saved for Olympians and opera divas -- as he drew off to win by eight.And what if a tree falls in a forest and no ones there to bet which way it lands? Foregos followers found out on May 23, 1977, when a parimutuel clerks strike shut down wagering at Belmont Park. They ran the races anyway, for the benefit of OTB. But save a place in the racing fans Hall of Fame for the 7,514 who showed up to watch the three-time Horse of the Year in the flesh win a seven-furlong allowance race that set him up to take the Met Mile one week later.The 5,023 fans who filled tiny Los Alamitos on Saturday afternoon to watch California Chrome strut his considerable stuff were a far cry from the 164,906 who jammed into Churchill Downs for his 2014 Kentucky Derby victory, or even the 72,811 who witnessed his donnybrook with Arrogate in last months Breeders Cup Classic at Santa Anita.never have five thousand souls been more thoroughly entertained. This was Springsteen playing the local club, Picasso fingerpainting in day care, Fred Astaire dancing at a father-daughter ball. Last Saturdays Winter Challenge was a fitting thank you to the neighborhood that has played host to racings latest Cinderella story.Ive loved having California Chrome here, said Dr. Ed Allred, owner of Los Alamitos. But Ill have to admit I wont be sorry to see him go.The message was clear. California Chromes evolution from a promising 3-year-old to an international star with a ripe stallion career on the horizon has put his every move under a microscope, with pressure increased accordingly. Even a setup like the Winter Challenge could not be taken lightly.To tell you the truth, Im a little nauseous, confessed Art Sherman an hour before California Chromes race.Good for him. Trainers should have butterflies every time they send a horse into battle, no matter whats at stake. Anyone who believes that any race is routine has not been paying attention. The Winter Challenge was serious because there were nine others in the field, purse money was offered -- along with scaled-back gambling opportunities -- and California Chrome would be asked to uncork a fast one in ongoing preparation for his final start in the Pegasus World Cup next month.If nothing else, California Chromes track-record win by a dozen lengths served to file a little bit of the edge off a horse who was spoiling for a fight. That morning, as the stallion was leaving the track after a routine jog, he went up on his hind legs right in front of his trainer.It seemed like forever, but it was probably for about 10 yards, Sherman said. I wouldve got a nosebleed if Id been on him.Hes been doing some crazy things with me lately. Thats why its very important with this horse to get a race into him. He gets bored with all the workouts. He knows his routine, and he knows when its not for real.A mile and one-sixteenth in 1:40.03 is real enough under any circumstances, even over a track that had been sealed tight a few days earlier because of heavy rain. California Chrome returned to the Los Alamitos winners circle to a house full of standing fans, waves of cheering, and a Chrome-Chrome-Chrome chant that had his ears twitching in appreciation.The last time a horse got this kind of reception here was more than 40 years ago, said Brad McKinzie, who runs the Los Alamitos Thoroughbred meet for Allred. His name was Kaweah Bar.Known as the Palomino Express, Kaweah Bar was a beer-drinking, crowd-pleasing Quarter Horse legend who was twice voted World Champion, in 1968 and 1970. California Chrome, Horse of the Year in 2014, is favored to receive a similar honor of non-consecutive titles in the Eclipse Award voting that commenced this week. McKinzie is not alone in thinking it should be a done deal.This race ought to just about clinch it for him, he said. Dont you think?Air Max 720 Clearance . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. Lebron James Shoes In Order . Bryzgalov stopped 25 shots on Saturday in the Oklahoma City Barons 4-1 victory over the Abbotsford Heat. The Oilers signed Bryzgalov to a one-year $2 million contract last Friday after shedding payroll by dealing defenceman Ladislav Smid to the Flames. http://www.wholesalenikeshoesclearance.com/cheap-max-270-shoes.html . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. Air Max 1 Clearance Sale . Scott won the Australian PGA last week in his first event in Australia since winning the U.S. Masters in April. American Matt Kuchar, ahead by two strokes with four to play and even with Scott with one to go, double-bogeyed the 18th after taking two shots to get out of a bunker. Fake Air Max 720 . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4).The 2016 Heisman Trophy race has the potential to be among the best in college football history. The 2015 winner, Derrick Henry, is gone, but four of the next five vote-getters from last season -- Christian McCaffrey, Deshaun Watson, Baker Mayfield and Leonard Fournette -- return. How do these front-runners stack up? With the help of some advanced stats, we look ahead to this star-studded season by taking a look back at these four players success in 2015.Expected Points Added accounts for the game situation (down, distance, yard line) to determine how much a team, player or unit contributes to its net scoring margin on every play. An individual players Total EPA is the sum of the EPA on plays he is directly involved in (passes, rushes, receptions, returns, etc.)Quarterback Points Added measures the total production of a quarterback compared with what an average quarterback (average = QBR of 50) would be expected to have, taking into account efficiency, usage and level of competition.Comparing the RBsThe Heisman Trophy is a stat-driven award, but looking only at yards and touchdowns is an incomplete representation of a players impact. The problem with traditional stats is they dont account for when those stats are compiled (a 5-yard gain on second-and-5 is different from one on third-and-10) or how they impact a teams success. By accounting for game situation, expected points added provides a truer representation of a running backs overall impact on the game. No running back had a greater impact last season than Stanfords Christian McCaffrey, whose plays (rushing, receiving and returns) contributed 112 points to Stanfords nnet scoring margin -- thats about 20 percent more than any other player in the country!McCaffrey broke Barry Sanders record for all-purpose yards in a season (3,864), so while his rushing numbers may not stack up with those of Leonard Fournette or Derrick Henry, his overall impact was unmatched.dddddddddddd In terms of EPA, McCaffreys plays added 48 points on the ground, 45 through the air and 19 on returns. No other player has had that large of a single-season impact in each phase of the game since 2005.Comparing the QBsQB points added measures the total production of a quarterback compared with what an average quarterback (average = QBR of 50) would be expected to have, taking into account efficiency, usage and level of competition. By this measure, no quarterback came close to adding more total value to his team last season than Deshaun Watson, who added 134 more points than an average QB would have with the same number of plays. Where does Baker Mayfield stack up? His 78 QB points added ranked 11th overall and is the fourth-highest mark among returning QBs.How does Watsons 2015 campaign match up against other all-time great single seasons? When compared to Heisman-winning QBs over the past 10 seasons, Watson had the fourth-most points added and provided more total value than Cam Newton, Tim Tebow and Jameis Winston in their Heisman-winning seasons. Amazingly, all signs point to Watson having an even more efficient and impactful season in 2016. No wonder he enters as the Heisman front-runner. ' ' '