Let ’em Run – Late P5 Preview at Gulfstream Park, Sponsored by BRISnet

Well let’s ride again here at Gulfstream Park, where it is sure to be fast and firm, and we will take a look at the runners in the late P5. Interesting to point out right off the bat, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has 4 horses running, but has given only one mount to his “go to” guy, Edgar Zayas Jr., and it is also his ONLY mount of the day (Race 11) hmmmm…

Gulfstream Park Race 7 – 3:20 EST | 5 ½ Furlongs | Synthetic | CLM25K

A synthetic sprint race, with a smallish field of 7, but a tough race to figure out. Going to go with one of several invaders from Woodbine, #3 Moon Landing 6-1. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione is in the saddle, and trainer Martin Drexler is overdue to hit the winners circle (5-0-2-2). A clean break would seal the deal. The #5 Catch a Tiger 8-1 could make some noise right out of the gate if runner takes to synthetic after a number of turf attempts. Jockey Micah Husbands adds to the appeal as does trainer Steve Owens record, off this kind of layoff (30%). Also has the highest last race speed rating per Brisnet, which adds to the appeal.

Race 8 – 3:50 EST | 1 1/16 Mile | Dirt | MSW 84K

This is a LOADED MSW race with only one 1st time starter. The #7 Cruisin Crossbay 10-1, did not do much 1st time out, but working out super for the return. Jockey Micah Husbands and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. team up for a lot of wins. Trainer Joseph boasts a 35% sprint to route on dirt, for the 2nd start of a runner… gotta like that stat. Taking a look at #2 Lennie G 20-1 for trainer Dale Romans, who is heating up here at Gulfstream. An interesting stat when going from Maiden Claiming to MSW is a 26% strike rate for Romans. Not that a 100K Maiden Claiming at Churchill is your average claiming event.

Race 9 – 4:20 EST | 5 Furlongs | Turf | OC62K

Would like to see some scratches help the #8 Vindicate Cha Cha 8-1 get a little closer to the rail for the quick run into the 1st turn in this turf sprint. Jockey change to Javier Castellano is a plus. Runner can put up some serious fractions, but hoping here that some maturity in her 5 y.o. campaign allows Castellano to dole out the speed a little better. Either way, she will be prominent on the front end from the start. #4 Greenfield Cougar 4-1 is a runner who would benefit if there are crazy early splits put up. If jockey Joe Bravo gets her out of the gate cleanly, could set up for a big closing kick in the stretch.

Race 10 – 4:50 EST | 1 1/16 | Dirt | The Sunshine Classic 75K

First of two stakes races to close out Saturdays’ card, with a small field of six, headed by #6 Neoequos 3-1, who has been keeping serious company since running in the Kentucky Derby back in May. Could see a lonely lead out front for this runner, and workouts for return say that is a real possibility. The Brisnet #1 Prime Power at +7 points adds to the appeal, but what will likely be a very short price. The #5 Lightning Tones 5-2, will be coming hard down the lane, and race 3 back would fit nicely here. Change to jockey Jose Morelos is a plus in a route race.

Race 11 – 5:20 EST | 1 Mile | Turf | The Sunshine Filly and Mare Turf 75K

The ultra consistent runner #7 Ashima 3-1, is posed for a big run as defending champ. Third off a layoff, and trainer Salvatore Santoro has her ready to fire. Versatile sort, will give jockey Javier Castellano options. Trainer Santoro has some serious stats to back up top pick. So….this is Edgar Zayas only mount of the day, on a runner with the least racing experience in the field, the #5 Sapphire Girl 15-1, for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. Last time out was 1st time on turf, and looked super breaking maiden, but stepping up here first time with winners. Got some time off after that victory, but is working out without missing a beat.

Late Pick 5 Ticket (before scratches)

P5 Ticket (before scratches) 2,3,5,7 / 1,2,7,9 / 4,8 / 6 / 1,3,5,6,7,11 = $96

Programming Note and Sign-Off

Welcome to our new show sponsor, BRISnet.com.

So tune in Friday at 3PM with special guest John O’Hara, Managing Partner of Four Leaf Clover Stable, LLC. Host John Kostin will have a lively Q. and A., with some new perspectives on the state of thoroughbred horseracing. Then check out Podcast on Saturday at 12:30 where we break down the Late P5 at Gulfstream Park.

So catch us on multiple streaming apps, and social channels. So bet smart, cheer hard, fast horses equal serious fun, until next time…Let’em Run.

Oh yeah…GO PANTHERS !!!

Main Street Sports stands on the edge of a shutdown that could reshape how fans watch local games across the country. Everything now hinges on a bid from London‑based DAZN, which is trying to acquire Main Street and its sixteen FanDuel‑branded regional sports networks.

A Crisis Spreading Across the Country

The crisis touches every region where the networks still operate. FanDuel RSNs carry teams across the Midwest, the South, the Mountain West, the Great Lakes, and the West Coast. Pressure grows each day as missed payments ripple through the leagues and force executives to confront the future of local sports broadcasting.

DAZN Sees a Major Opening in the U.S. Market

DAZN views the turmoil as a rare opportunity to enter the U.S. market in a major way. The streamer wants to acquire all sixteen networks and build direct relationships with MLB, the NBA, and the NHL. The move would expand DAZN far beyond combat sports and place it alongside Netflix, Apple, Amazon Prime, and YouTube as a major player in live sports.

Missed Payments Trigger Alarm Across Leagues

The trouble began when Main Street failed to make a December payment to the St. Louis Cardinals. The situation escalated on January 6, when thirteen NBA teams did not receive their scheduled rights payments. Those missed payments triggered alarm inside league offices, where executives now warn that the next few weeks will determine the fate of sixteen networks and twenty eight teams.

Shutdown Looms if No Deal Is Reached

The deadline falls between late January and early February. If DAZN and Main Street cannot reach a deal, Main Street plans to shut down after the 2026 NBA and NHL seasons. That collapse would return local rights to many teams for the first time in decades and accelerate a shift that has been building for years.

Leagues Preparing Backup Plans

If the DAZN deal collapses, the leagues have backup plans. The NBA and NHL expect to launch their own streaming services in the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Major League Baseball already controls broadcasts for the Diamondbacks, Padres, and Rockies, and expects to add the Washington Nationals, who broke away from MASN. MLB has told its remaining FanDuel teams that it can take over their broadcasts by spring training.

Experts Say Leagues May Welcome the Shift

Sports media branding expert Jeff Dennis believes the leagues may not fear that outcome.

“Every major U.S. league is working toward a more complete direct to consumer model,” Dennis said. “If teams regain their local rights, leagues like MLB, the NBA, and the NHL could finally bundle local games into their own streaming packages, something they’ve never been able to do under the regional sports network system.”

The Warning Signs Were Always There

The warning signs were visible long before Main Street Sports took control of the former Diamond Sports networks. Diamond’s bankruptcy exposed a system collapsing under the weight of cord cutting, shrinking subscriber revenue, and long term rights deals that no longer matched the economics of modern television.

When Main Street stepped in, it inherited the same broken model, the same debt pressure, and the same unsustainable contracts. In hindsight, the deal may have been doomed from the start. Main Street never had the financial cushion or structural advantages needed to fix a business that had already fallen apart, and the missed payments to the Cardinals and thirteen NBA teams only confirmed what many insiders feared: the RSN model was running out of road.

A Forty‑Year Model Nears Its End

Former Warner Communications executive Frank Carney sees the moment as the end of a long era.

“The regional sports network model we built in the nineteen eighties generated hundreds of millions of dollars and helped fuel ESPN’s national rise through the cable bundle,” Carney said. “But in 2026 that bundle no longer delivers the revenue it once did. Rights deals built on those old economics are now impossible to sustain, and that is why so many regional networks are fighting to survive.”

Some RSNs Remain Strong

Not every RSN is in danger. Team‑owned networks remain stable and insulated from the collapse.

“The team‑owned RSNs aren’t in danger. They stay strong because the teams control the product,” said sports media consultant Bill Jensen.

A Decision That Will Shape the Future

The regions at risk stretch across the country. Midwest fans could lose long standing outlets in Detroit, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Ohio, and Minneapolis. Southern markets like Miami, Atlanta, and Tampa Bay face the same uncertainty. Western markets in Los Angeles and San Antonio also hang in the balance.

These networks carry teams that anchor local identity and regional pride, and their disappearance would leave major gaps in the media landscape.

The next few weeks will determine whether DAZN rescues the networks or whether the leagues reclaim local rights. Either outcome will change how millions of fans watch their hometown teams. The regional sports model that dominated for forty years now stands at its final hour, and the industry is preparing for a future that will look very different from its past.

Eight countries made their way into the quarter-final stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after thrilling results in the round of 16 that ended on Tuesday.

Host nation Morocco remain strong contenders as they continue their quest for continental glory on home soil. They are joined by defending champions Cote d’Ivoire, alongside African heavyweights Cameroon, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, Mali and Senegal.

With just eight teams left standing, attention now turns to form, momentum, and overall performance heading into the quarter-final clashes.

Sports Talk has analysed the remaining contenders, ranking the qualified teams based on their performances in the last round by highlighting the strongest sides as well as those who may need to improve to lift the coveted AFCON trophy.

Djigui Diarra stands tall for Mali

Mali progressed into the last-eight of the tournament, thanks to Djigui Diarra’s heroics as he saved two penalties in their shoot-out victory against Tunisia.

Diarra commanding presence was the difference for 10-man Mali after Tom Saintfiet’s side held Tunisia 1-1 draw after 120 minutes of play. He made three crucial saves during and clutch saves in the shoot-out as they set-up a clash with Senegal.

Diallo’s exceptional once again for Cote d’Ivoire

For the third time at the AFCON 2025, the Manchester United star took home the Man of the Match award after spearheading Cote d’Ivoire’s 3-0 thrashing of Burkina Faso.

Diallo opened the scoring for the Elephants in the 20th minute and he laid the assist for Yan Diomande to double the lead, a few minutes later.

The 23-year-old has contributed three goals and an assist in four appearances for Emerse Fae’s team who are aiming to retain the African title.

Algeria’s tactical masterclass standout

Vladimir Petkovic’s tactical genius made the difference for Algeria in their hard-fought 1-0 victory against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In a keenly contested encounter, the Bosnian coach introduced super-substitute Adil Boulbina to add more intensity into the match which paid off with his last-minute stunning strike.

Petkovic’s timely decisions to replace fatigued players like Riyad Mahrez and Ismael Bennacer can’t be overlooked as it provided the Desert Foxes with alternative options to break the resolute DR Congo side.

Egypt struggle to impress against Benin

The record winners of the Africa Cup of Nations struggled to beat Benin in the round of 16, as they needed extra time to secure a 3-1 win and advance into the quarter-final.

It was not the best of performances for Hossam Hassan’s team but late goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mohamed Salah were enough to secure their passage.

The Pharaohs failed to convert their early chances against Benin and would need to be more clinical in front of goal when they face a disciplined Cote d’Ivoire team on Saturday.

Morocco disappoint in narrow Tanzania win

Morocco narrowly survived a national shock against Tanzania as Brahim Diaz’s 64th-minute goal separated the two teams in Rabat.

Walid Regragui’s team dominated proceedings from kick-off but found it difficult to break the Taifa Stars with clear cut chances.

Monday’s result was further proof that the Atlas Lions are struggling to meet Moroccans’ expectations and they would need to put more efforts in their style of play when they face Cameroon on Friday.