News & notes

 Murphy's Law had an effect on the Tri-City Valleycats as they headed home after Sunday's 24-12 win over Gateway. 

The team bus broke down in St. Louis, prompting the front office to scramble for plane tickets to get players home for last night's game vs. Lake Erie.

Then, the 'Cats dropped a 1-0 decision to the Crushers last night. WROW morning host Ben Patten misread the score, and said it was 2-1 Lake Erie.

The two teams meet later this morning in the 2nd matinee of the season at Bruno Stadium.

By the way, as of press time, the result of Sunday's 518 Futures Classic at the Joe was not made public.

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The Saugerties Stallions have the Albany Dutchmen's number.

The Stallions rode into Guilderland Monday, and mercy ruled the Dutchmen, 13-3, in 7 innings, the 2nd mercy rule loss for Albany this season. The two teams meet again in Saugerties---weather permitting---tomorrow night, but in the meantime, Albany will host Utica, and that's assuming the game gets played tonight.

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We talked about this over at The Land of Whatever, and it bears some mentioning here, too.

In 2025, Saratoga Race Course will have its earliest opening ever, even if it's just for one day.

The New York Racing Association plans on holding the 2025 Belmont Stakes at the Old Spa while Belmont, on Long Island, undergoes some renovations for the first time in nearly 60 years. I've this feeling that NYRA will take a chance, and expand the Saratoga meet on a temporary basis in 2025, then revert to the more traditional schedule in 2026.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

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The Albany Patroons now know who they'll face for the TBL title.

The Pats dismissed Newfoundland, 135-108, on Monday, and they'll play their last home game of the year vs. St. Louis on Thursday. Game 2 is set for St. Louis on Sunday, with the finale, if needed, on Monday, also in St. Louis.