NEW YORK – Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, Las Vegas safety Isaiah Pola-Mao and Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for Week 16 (December 19, 21-23).
OFFENSE: RB JONATHAN TAYLOR, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Taylor led the NFL in Week 16 with 218 rushing yards (7.5 yards per carry) and three rushing touchdowns in the Colts’ 38-30 win over the Titans. He became the sixth player all-time with at least 200 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in four games within in his first five seasons in NFL history and the fifth player since 1990 with at least 185 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in four games within his first five career seasons.
This is the third-career Offensive Player of the Week award for Taylor. He joins Pro Football Hall of Famer Edgerrin James (six-time winner) as the only Colts running backs to earn the honor three-or-more times.
2021: Week 11
2022: Week 10
2024: Week 16
Taylor becomes the first former Wisconsin running back and joins Russell Wilson (11-time winner) as the only former Wisconsin players to win Offensive Player of the Week three-or-more times.
DEFENSE: S ISAIAH POLA-MAO, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Pola-Mao recorded nine tackles and two forced fumbles in Las Vegas’ 19-14 win over Jacksonville. His two forced fumbles were the most by any player in Week 16. Pola-Mao is the first defensive back to record nine tackles and two forced fumbles in a game since Week 12, 2023 (Josh Metellus).
This is Pola-Mao’s first-career Defensive Player of the Week award, becoming the second Raiders defensive back to earn the honor in the past 10 seasons (2015-24), joining Jeff Heath (Week 10, 2020).
Pola-Mao becomes the fourth former USC defensive back to win Defensive Player of the Week in the past 20 seasons (2005-24), joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu (six-time winner), Nickell Robey-Coleman (Week 5, 2016) and Terrell Thomas (Week 8, 2013).
SPECIAL TEAMS: K JASON SANDERS, MIAMI DOLPHINS
Sanders converted all five of his field goal attempts, including field goals of 44, 48 and 54 yards, and both of his point-after attempts in the Dolphins’ 29-17 win over the 49ers. His 17 points scored were the most among kickers in Week 16.
This is the sixth-career Special Teams Player of the Week award for Sanders, the third-most Player of the Week awards in Dolphins history, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famers Dan Marino (18-time winner) and Jason Taylor (seven).
2019: Weeks 10, 13
2020: Weeks 5, 16
2023: Week 16
2024: Week 16
Sanders becomes the second former New Mexico player to earn six-or-more Player of the Week awards, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher (seven-time winner).
Sterling Silver: The morning-line favorite at 9/5, trained by W. I. Mott, Sterling Silver is expected to perform well given her consistent past performances and strong connections.
Silver Skillet: With odds of 7/2, trained by C. Clement and ridden by K. Carmouche, Silver Skillet has shown promise and could be a strong contender.
Cruise to Catalina: Trained by R. Mott and ridden by S. Civaci, Cruise to Catalina has odds of 6/1 and could surprise with a strong performance.
Sweet Brown Sugar: At 8/1, trained by P. W. Barrow and ridden by J. Lezcano, Sweet Brown Sugar has potential to upset the favorites.
Stonewall Star: Trained by H. De Paz and ridden by D. Davis, Stonewall Star has odds of 8/1 and could be a competitive entry.
This year’s Bay Ridge Stakes promises an exciting race with a blend of seasoned contenders and emerging talents. Keep an eye on Sterling Silver and Silver Skillet, as they look strong going into the race.
Record: 41 wins, 4 losses, 0 draws (35 wins by knockout)
Age: 35 years old
Height: 5’5″ (160 cm)
Stance: Orthodox
Professional Debut: 2010
Recent Fights: Lost to Angel Ayala Lardizabal (Oct 14, 2023), lost to Sunny Edwards (Nov 11, 2022), won against Luis Cerrito Hernandez (May 21, 2022), won against Israel Vazquez (Aug 14, 2021), won against DeeJay Kriel (Jan 2, 2021)
Rankings: WBC #6, WBO #10, IBF #3, The Ring #7
Tobias Jeremias Reyes
Record: 16 wins, 1 draw (15 wins by knockout)
Age: 26 years old
Height: 5’4″ (159 cm)
Stance: Orthodox
Professional Debut: 2021
Recent Fights: Unblemished record with 15 knockouts
Rankings: WBC #9, WBO #7, IBF #5
Fight Analysis:
Power: Reyes has a slight edge in knockout power with a 94% knockout percentage compared to Alvarado’s 85%. This suggests that Reyes might have the advantage in terms of finishing power.
Experience: Alvarado is the more experienced fighter, having fought 28 more bouts and accumulated 114 more professional rounds than Reyes. This experience could play a crucial role in his strategy and adaptability during the fight.
Physical Attributes: Alvarado has a slight height advantage of 1 inch over Reyes, which might give him a reach advantage in the ring.
Recent Form: Alvarado has had mixed results in his last five fights, with three wins and two losses. His last fight was a loss to Angel Ayala Lardizabal in October 2023. Reyes, on the other hand, remains undefeated with a perfect record.
Fighter’s Mindset: Alvarado will be looking to bounce back from his recent losses and prove that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level. Reyes will be aiming to maintain his unbeaten record and secure a shot at the IBF Flyweight Championship.
Prediction:
This fight promises to be an exciting clash between a seasoned veteran and a rising star. Alvarado’s experience and resilience will be tested against Reyes’ power and undefeated record. It will be interesting to see if Alvarado can use his experience to outmaneuver Reyes or if Reyes can capitalize on his power to secure a victory.
Felix Alvarado + 150
Tobias Jeremias Reyes – 180
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, December 26, 2024
NEW YORK – Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard, Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for Week 16 (December 19, 21-23).
OFFENSE: RB CHUBA HUBBARD, CAROLINA PANTHERS
Hubbard recorded 165 scrimmage yards (152 rushing, 13 receiving) and two rushing touchdowns in Carolina’s 36-30 overtime victory against Arizona, including the game-winning 21-yard touchdown run in overtime. His 152 rushing yards were the most in the NFC in Week 16 and he was the only player in the NFC to record 165-or-more scrimmage yards and two-or-more rushing touchdowns.
This is the first-career Offensive Player of the Week award for Hubbard, becoming the third Panthers running back in the past 15 seasons (2010-24) to win the award, joining D’Onta Foreman (Week 16, 2022) and Jonathan Stewart (Week 14, 2017).
Hubbard becomes the third former Oklahoma State running back to win Offensive Player of the Week, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Barry Sanders (11-time winner) and Thurman Thomas (five).
DEFENSE: LB ANDREW VAN GINKEL, MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Van Ginkel recorded five tackles and two sacks in Minnesota’s 27-24 victory at Seattle, finishing as the only player in Week 16 to record five-or-more tackles and two-or-more sacks. He was the only player in the NFC to register two-or-more sacks, with both coming in the fourth quarter.
This is the first Defensive Player of the Week award for Van Ginkel, joining Jonathan Greenard (Week 3, 2024), Ivan Pace (Week 14, 2023) and Za’Darius Smith (Week 8, 2022) as the only Vikings linebackers in the past 10 seasons (2015-24) to win the award in their first year with the team.
Van Ginkel becomes the sixth former Wisconsin linebacker to win Defensive Player of the Week, joining T.J. Watt (eight-time winner), Zack Baun, Chirs Borland, DeAndre Levy and Joe Schobert.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K BRANDON AUBREY, DALLAS COWBOYS
Aubrey converted on all four of his field goal attempts, including three from over 50 yards, along with both of his point-after attempts in Dallas’ 26-24 victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday Night Football. Aubrey was the only kicker in Week 16 to make multiple field goals from 50-or-more yards.
This is the third-career Special Teams Player of the Week award for Aubrey, becoming the fourth Cowboys kicker to win Special Teams Player of the Week three-or-more times, joining Dan Bailey (three-time winner), Billy Cundiff (three) and Brett Maher (three).
2023: Weeks 8, 14
2024: Week 16
Aubrey becomes the third player from Notre Dame to win Special Teams Player of the Week three-or more times, joining John Carney (13-time winner) and Craig Hentrich (five).
NEW YORK – Below are players that can set historic marks or reach career milestones in Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season, including:
QB Josh Allen
QB Joe Burrow
WR Ja’Marr Chase
QB Sam Darnold
QB Jared Goff
RB Jahmyr Gibbs
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
QB Aaron Rodgers
WR Davante Adams
QB Jayden Daniels
QB Bo Nix
QB Caleb Williams
TE Brock Bowers
WR Malik Nabers
WR Brian Thomas Jr.
LB Micah Parsons
JOSH ALLEN
Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen has 75 career regular-season wins and with a win against the New York Jets (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS), can surpass Russell Wilson (75 wins) for the most regular-season wins by a quarterback in his first seven seasons in NFL history.
Allen has 37 combined passing and rushing touchdowns (26 passing, 11 rushing) this season and can join Aaron Rodgers (six seasons) as the only players in NFL history with five career seasons with at least 40 combined passing and rushing touchdowns.
Since entering the NFL in 2018, Allen has 193 touchdown passes and with three touchdown passes, will tie Russell Wilson (196 touchdown passes) for the fifth-most by a player in his first seven seasons in NFL history.
The players with the most touchdown passes in their first seven seasons in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM
PASS TDs
Dan Marino HOF
Miami
220
Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City
219
Peyton Manning HOF
Indianapolis
216
Russell Wilson
Seattle
196
Josh Allen
Buffalo
193*
*in seventh season
JOE BURROW
Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow leads the NFL with 4,229 passing yards, is tied for first with 39 touchdown passes, and became the first player in NFL history with at least 250 passing yards and three touchdown passes in seven consecutive games.
On Saturday against Denver (4:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network), Burrow can become the fourth player all-time with at least three touchdown passes in eight consecutive games, joining Tom Brady (10 consecutive games in 2007), Andrew Luck (eight in 2018) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (eight in 2004).
The players with at least three touchdown passes in the most consecutive games in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM
SEASON(S)
GAMES
Tom Brady
New England
2007
10
Andrew Luck
Indianapolis
2018
8
Peyton Manning HOF
Indianapolis
2004
8
Joe Burrow
Cincinnati
2024
7*
Dan Marino HOF
Miami
1986-87
7
*active streak
Burrow has 136 career touchdown passes and can surpass Josh Allen (138 touchdown passes) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (138) for the third-most touchdown passes by a player in his first five seasons in NFL history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino (168 touchdown passes) and Patrick Mahomes (151) have more.
JA’MARR CHASE
Cincinnati wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase leads the league with 108 receptions for 1,510 yards and 16 touchdowns this season and became the third player in NFL history with at least 100 receptions, 1,500 receiving yards and 15 touchdown receptions in his first 15 games in a season, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Randy Moss (2003) and Jerry Rice (1995).
Since entering the NFL in 2021, Chase has 45 career touchdown receptions and can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Bob Hayes (45 touchdown receptions) for the third-most touchdown receptions by a player in his first four seasons in NFL history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famers Randy Moss (53 touchdown receptions) and Jerry Rice (49) have more.
The players with the most touchdown receptions in their first four seasons in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM
REC. TDs
Randy Moss HOF
Minnesota
53
Jerry Rice HOF
San Francisco
49
Ja’Marr Chase
Cincinnati
45*
Bob Hayes HOF
Dallas
45
*in fourth season
SAM DARNOLD
Minnesota quarterback Sam Darnold has career highs in passing yards (3,776) and touchdown passes (32) this season and became the third non-rookie quarterback since 1970 to record at least 13 wins in his first season with a team, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (2012 with Denver) and Steve McNair (2006 with the Baltimore Ravens).
With two touchdown passes on Sunday against Green Bay (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX), Darnold can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre (33 touchdown passes in 2009 with Minnesota) and Vinny Testaverde (33 in 1996 with the Baltimore Ravens) for the fourth-most touchdown passes by a player in his first season with a team. Only Matthew Stafford (41 touchdown passes in 2021 with the Los Angeles Rams), Tom Brady (40 in 2020 with Tampa Bay) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (37 in 2012 with Denver) have more.
Darnold has 11 games with at least two touchdown passes and a passer rating of 100-or-higher this season and can become the fourth player in NFL history with 12 such games in a season, joining Aaron Rodgers (14 games in 2020 and 13 in 2011), Patrick Mahomes (13 in 2018) and Matt Ryan (12 in 2016). Each of the players with 12 games with at least two touchdown passes and a passer rating of 100-or-higher earned Associated Press Most Valuable Player honors that season.
The players with the most games with at least two touchdown passes and a passer rating of 100-or-higher in a season in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM
SEASON
GAMES
Aaron Rodgers MVP
Green Bay
2020
14
Patrick Mahomes MVP
Kansas City
2018
13
Aaron Rodgers MVP
Green Bay
2011
13
Matt Ryan MVP
Atlanta
2016
12
Sam Darnold
Minnesota
2024
11*
*entering Week 17
JARED GOFF
The Detroit Lions are 7-0 on the road this season and with a win at San Franciso on Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC), can become the sixth team since 2000 to go undefeated on the road in a season, joining the 2020 Kansas City Chiefs, 2016 and 2007 New England Patriots, 2014 Dallas Cowboys and 2001 St. Louis Rams.
Detroit quarterback Jared Goff passed for 336 yards and three touchdowns with a 137.0 passer rating in Week 16 and became the first player in NFL history with at least 275 passing yards, two touchdown passes and a passer rating of 135-or-higher in five games within a single season in NFL history.
Goff has 41 career games with at least 300 passing yards and can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino (41 games) and Matt Ryan (41) for the second-most games with at least 300 passing yards by a quarterback in his first nine seasons in NFL history. Only Patrick Mahomes (48 games, in first eight seasons) has more.
The players with the most games with at least 300 passing yards in their first nine seasons in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM(S)
GAMES
Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City
48#
Jared Goff
L.A. Rams, Detroit
41*
Dan Marino HOF
Miami
41
Matt Ryan
Atlanta
41
Peyton Manning HOF
Indianapolis
40
*in ninth season
#in eighth season
Goff has 34,524 career passing yards and can surpass Matthew Stafford (34,749 passing yards) for the fifth-most by a player in his first nine seasons in NFL history. Only Matt Ryan (37,701 passing yards), Pro Football Hall of Famers Peyton Manning (37,586) and Dan Marino (35,386) as well as Derek Carr (35,222) have more.
Goff has 2,994 career completions and can become the fifth player all-time with at least 3,000 completions in his first nine seasons, joining Matt Ryan (3,288 completions), Derek Carr (3,201), Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (3,131) and Matthew Stafford (3,005).
JAHMYR GIBBS
Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who turns 23 years old on March 20, 2025, has 2,857 scrimmage yards and 26 scrimmage touchdowns (22 rushing, four receiving) in his first two career seasons, including 19 games with a touchdown.
With a touchdown on Monday at San Francisco (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC), Gibbs will become the fifth player under the age of 23 with at least 20 games with a touchdown in NFL history, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Barry Sanders (22 games) and Edgerrin James (20) as well as Maurice Jones-Drew (21) and Jonathan Taylor (21).
The players under the age of 23 with the most games with a touchdown in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM
GAMES
Barry Sanders HOF
Detroit
22
Maurice Jones-Drew
Jacksonville
21
Jonathan Taylor
Indianapolis
21
Edgerrin James HOF
Indianapolis
20
Jahmyr Gibbs
Detroit
19*
*turns 23 on March 20, 2025.
The Lions – with Jahmyr Gibbs (15 scrimmage touchdowns in 2024), David Montgomery (12) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (11 entering Week 17) – can become the fourth team in NFL history with three players each with 12 scrimmage touchdowns in a season, joining the 2013 Denver Broncos (Knowshon Moreno, Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas), 2014 Green Bay Packers (Randall Cobb, Eddie Lacy and Jordy Nelson) and 1961 Houston Oilers (Billy Cannon, Bill Groman and Charlie Hennigan).
AARON RODGERS & DAVANTE ADAMS
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has 499 regular-season touchdown passes in 246 career games and can become the fifth player in NFL history with 500 regular-season touchdown passes, joining Tom Brady (649 touchdown passes), Drew Brees (571) and Pro Football Hall of Famers Peyton Manning (539) and Brett Favre (508). He can also join Manning (244 games) as the only players to reach 500 regular-season touchdown passes in fewer than 250 career games.
The players with the most regular-season touchdown passes in in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAMS
PASS TDs
Tom Brady
New England, Tampa Bay
649
Drew Brees
San Diego Chargers, New Orleans
571
Peyton Manning HOF
Indianapolis, Denver
539
Brett Favre HOF
Green Bay, N.Y. Jets, Minnesota
508
Aaron Rodgers
Green Bay, N.Y. Jets
499*
*active
Rodgers, who has 24 touchdown passes this season, has 13 career seasons with at least 25 touchdown passes and with one touchdown pass, will tie Drew Brees (14 seasons) for the third-most such seasons in NFL history. Only Tom Brady (17 seasons) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (16) have more.
Rodgers and wide receiver Davante Adams, who have connected for six touchdowns this season with the Jets and had 76 touchdowns (including the postseason) together in Green Bay, can surpass Miami’s quarterback-wide receiver duo of Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino and Mark Clayton (82 touchdowns) for the third-most touchdowns, including the playoffs by a quarterback-wide receiver pairing in NFL history.
The quarterback-wide receiver duos with the most touchdowns, including the postseason, in NFL history:
QUARTERBACK
WIDE RECEIVER
TEAM(S)
TOUCHDOWNS
Peyton Manning HOF
Marvin Harrison HOF
Indianapolis
114
Steve Young HOF
Jerry Rice HOF
San Francisco
92
Dan Marino HOF
Mark Clayton
Miami
82
Aaron Rodgers
Davante Adams
Green Bay, N.Y. Jets
82*
Ben Roethlisberger
Antonio Brown
Pittsburgh
78
*active
ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS
Rookie quarterbacks are set to appear in multiple single-window games this week, with Chicago’s Caleb Williams on Thursday Night Football against Seattle (8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video), Denver’s Bo Nix on Saturday at Cincinnati (4:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network) and Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr. and Washington’s Jayden Daniels on Sunday Night Football (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC).
The matchup between Penix Jr. (No. 8 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft) and Daniels (No. 2) will mark the first primetime game in NFL history between rookie starting quarterbacks each selected in the first round.
Daniels, who has 22 touchdown passes and six rushing touchdowns this season, can become the fourth rookie quarterback in NFL history with at least 30 combined passing and rushing touchdowns, joining Justin Herbert (36 combined passing and rushing touchdowns in 2020 with the Los Angeles Chargers), Cam Newton (35 in 2011 with Carolina) and Russell Wilson (30 in 2012 with Seattle).
Daniels can become the seventh rookie quarterback all-time to win 11 regular-season games, joining Dak Prescott (13 wins in 2016 with Dallas), Ben Roethlisberger (13 in 2004 with Pittsburgh), Joe Flacco (11 in 2008 with Baltimore), Andrew Luck (11 in 2012 with Indianapolis), Matt Ryan (11 in 2008 with Atlanta) and Russell Wilson (11 in 2012 with Seattle).
Daniels has 737 rushing yards this season and can join Robert Griffin III (815 rushing yards in 2012 with Washington) as the only rookie quarterbacks all-time with at least 800 rushing yards.
Daniels and Nix each have 22 touchdown passes this season and can join Justin Herbert (31 touchdown passes in 2020), Baker Mayfield (27 in 2018), Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (26 in 1998) and Russell Wilson (26 in 2012) as the only rookie quarterbacks in NFL history with 25 touchdown passes.
The rookies with the most touchdown passes in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM
SEASON
PASS TDs
Justin Herbert
L.A. Chargers
2020
31
Baker Mayfield
Cleveland
2018
27
Peyton Manning HOF
Indianapolis
1998
26
Russell Wilson
Seattle
2012
26
Daniel Jones
N.Y. Giants
2019
24
Jayden Daniels
Washington
2024
22*
Bo Nix
Denver
2024
22*
*entering Week 17
Nix has eight games with at least two touchdown passes this season and can join Justin Herbert (10 games in 2020 with the Los Angeles Chargers) and Baker Mayfield (nine in 2018 with Cleveland) as the only rookie quarterbacks all-time with nine games of two-or-more touchdown passes.
In Week 17, Nix can join Dak Prescott (2016) as the only rookie quarterbacks in NFL history with at least two touchdown passes and a passer rating of 90-or-higher in four consecutive road games.
Williams has attempted 326 consecutive pass attempts without an interception, including nine consecutive games with at least 20 pass attempts and no interceptions. In Week 17, he can move into the top-five for most consecutive pass attempts without an incompletion in a season all-time and can become the third quarterback in NFL history with 10 consecutive games with at least 20 pass attempts and no interceptions, joining Tom Brady (10 consecutive games in 2010 with New England) and Derek Carr (10 consecutive games in 2018 with the Oakland Raiders).
The players with the most consecutive pass attempts without an interception within a single season in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM
SEASON
ATTEMPTS
Aaron Rodgers
Green Bay
2018
402
Tom Brady
Tampa Bay
2022
399
Justin Herbert
L.A. Chargers
2024
357
Tom Brady
New England
2010
335
Derek Carr
Oakland Raiders
2018
332
Caleb Williams
Chicago
2024
326*
*active streak
ROOKIE PASS CATCHERS
Las Vegas rookie Brock Bowers leads all tight ends and is tied for second in the NFL with 101 receptions this season, while New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers is tied for fifth with 97.
In Week 17, Bowers (at New Orleans on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX) and Nabers (vs. Indianapolis on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX), can surpass Puka Nacua (105 receptions in 2023) for the most receptions by a rookie in NFL history.
The rookies with the most receptions in NFL history:
PLAYER
TEAM
SEASON
RECEPTIONS
Puka Nacua
L.A. Rams
2023
105
Jaylen Waddle
Miami
2021
104
Anquan Boldin
Arizona
2003
101
Brock Bowers
Las Vegas
2024
101*
Malik Nabers
N.Y. Giants
2024
97*
*entering Week 17
Bowers leads all tight ends with 1,067 receiving yards this season and in Week 17, can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka (1,076 receiving yards in 1961) for the most receiving yards by a rookie tight end in NFL history.
Nabers has 12 games with at least five receptions and can surpass Anquan Boldin (12 games in 2003) and Terry Glenn (12 in 1996) for the most such games by a rookie in NFL history.
Jacksonville rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. leads all rookies with 1,088 receiving yards and nine touchdown receptions this season, including at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown catch in each of his past two games.
With 12 receiving yards and a touchdown reception against Tennessee (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS), Thomas Jr. can become the fourth rookie in the Super Bowl era with at least 1,100 receiving yards and 10 touchdown receptions, joining Odell Beckham Jr. (2014 with the New York Giants), Ja’Marr Chase (2021 with Cincinnati) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss (1998 with Minnesota).
The rookies with at least 1,100 receiving yards and 10 touchdown receptions in the Super Bowl era:
PLAYER
TEAM
SEASON
REC. YARDS
REC. TDs
Odell Beckham Jr.
N.Y. Giants
2014
1,305
12
Ja’Marr Chase
Cincinnati
2021
1,455
13
Randy Moss HOF
Minnesota
1998
1,313
17
Brian Thomas Jr.
Jacksonville
2024
1,088*
9*
*entering Week 17
Thomas Jr. can become the fifth rookie in NFL history with at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown reception in three consecutive games, joining Odell Beckham Jr. (four consecutive games in 2014), Jimmy Orr (four in 1958), Mike Evans (three in 2014) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss (three in 1998).
MICAH PARSONS
Dallas linebacker Micah Parsons has 9.5 sacks in 2024 and can become the fourth player since 1982 with at least 10 sacks in each of his first four NFL seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Dwight Freeney, Derrick Thomas and Reggie White.
Parsons has 50 career sacks since entering the NFL in 2021 and needs one sack to tie Pro Football Hall of Famer Dwight Freeney (51 sacks) for the fifth-most sacks by a player in his first four seasons since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic.
The players with the most sacks in their first four seasons since 1982:
To wrap up an action-packed 2024, ACR Poker is offering players more opportunities for unforgettable poker adventures. On Sunday, December 29, they will host their Punta del Este Satellite, guaranteeing 10 packages to sunny Uruguay for the $500,000 GTD Enjoy Poker Tour Main Event in February 2025.
“Our Punta del Este Uruguay packages are a player favorite, and we’re thrilled to offer them again to finish off a fantastic 2024,” said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. “It’s always exciting to see players turn $95 into an incredible poker vacation and take their shot at the $500,000 GTD Main Event—this is what makes these satellites so special.”
Players can win one of 10 packages, worth $5,500 each, during The Beast tournament on Sunday, December 29th at 5:05pm ET. With a buy-in of $95, players also have the opportunity to qualify for free by climbing the Beast weekly leaderboard.
Each package includes a $1,650 Main Event entry to the $500,000 GTD Main Event, a 10-night luxury hotel stay from February 14-24, $1,500 for airfare, spending money, and more.
Beyond poker, players can enjoy pristine beaches, fine dining, and nightlife at the Punta del Este Resort and Casino, located along Uruguay’s breathtaking Atlantic Coast.
For those looking for more online poker action this festive season and into the new year, Moneymaker highlighted that players can join the $200K GTD Christmas Special Multi-Day PKO, running until Sunday, December 29th. Additionally, they can participate in ACR Poker’s Venom Vault promotion for a chance to win a coveted $2,650 seat to the $8 Million GTD NLH or the $2 Million GTD PLO Mystery Bounty Venom, with both tournaments starting on Sunday, January 19.
Washington State is facing Syracuse for the second time in program history, previously meeting during the 1979 season. The Orange claimed a 52-25 victory in a game played at Rich Stadium, the home of the Buffalo Bills while the Carrier Dome was being built.
Syracuse Orange Notes
OPENING DRIVE
ORANGE FACE WASHINGTON STATE IN DIRECTV HOLIDAY BOWL
• Syracuse makes its third-straight bowl appearance when it takes on Washington State in the 2024 DIRECTV Holiday Bowl. • The game will air on FOX, with Gus Johnson (PxP), Joel Klatt (analyst) and Jenny Taft (reporter) on the call.
GOING BOWLING
• The 2024 DIRECTV Holiday Bowl marks Syracuse’s 29th bowl game appearance. The Orange have won four of their last six bowl games and have an all-time record of 16-11-1. • From 1989-96, the Orange won seven-straight bowl games. The streak is the seventh-longest in college football postseason history. Florida State owns the record with 11-consecutive bowl game victories from 1985-96. • Syracuse is 1-of-41 teams to play in bowl games in each of the last-three seasons (excludes Minnesota and San Jose State who received bowl invites with a 5-7 record in that span).
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE ORANGE
• Syracuse and Texas are tied for the most wins against bowl eligible teams, with eight heading into the postseason. • Ten of the Orange’s 11 FBS opponents will play in bowl games this season. Syracuse’s opponents posted a combined record of 86-60 (.589) heading into bowl season. • Syracuse has two victories over the current CFP top-25, a mark with ties for the fourth-most nationally. • Syracuse posted three wins against AP top-25 teams at the time of their matchup this season for the first time since 1998. • Two of the Orange’s non-conference victories came against teams that played in their respective conference championship game (Ohio, UNLV).
LAST TIME VS. WASHINGTON STATE
• Syracuse scored 17 unanswered points in the first quarter and went on to a 52-25 victory against Washington State. • After the Cougars cut the deficit to 24-18 in the third quarter, the Orange scored 28-straight points to put the game out of reach. • RB Joe Morris led the ‘Cuse offense with 159 yards rushing on 21 carries. He scored a pair of touchdowns, including a 48-yard run in the third quarter. • Morris and the Orange recorded 384 of their 456 total yards on the ground. • Washington State QB Steve grant was 13-21 for 141 yards and a touchdown.
A WIN WOULD …
• Give the Orange 10 wins in a season for the first time since 2018 and just the third time since 2000. • Make Fran Brown the second head coach in the modern era (post World War II) to record 10 wins in his first season as head coach, matching Paul Pasqualoni’s mark in 1991. • Give Syracuse its 764th all-Ɵ me victory (includes 11 wins from 2004-06 that were vacated by the NCAA). The Orange currently rank 21st on the FBS ledger of winningest programs. Syracuse is one of 34 FBS schools to have accumulated 700+ wins.
FACING THE BEST
• After facing 10 bowl-eligible teams in 2024, Syracuse’s schedule for the 2025 campaign looks even more daunting as the Orange will face four College Football Playoff teams and five teams in the top-16 of the current rankings – all away from home. • All-11 FBS squads on next year’s schedule reached a bowl this season, including six games against teams that won nine-or-more games in the regular season. • Syracuse opens next season against Tennessee in the Chick-fi l-A Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Aug. 30. • The Orange will also play road games at Notre Dame, SMU, Clemson and Miami among teams in the top-16 of the current CFP poll.
ALLEN TO THE HOUSE
• RB LeQuint Allen Jr. has scored a team-high 17 touchdowns this season. That total ranks second in the ACC and 13th in the nation. • After scoring just two touchdowns in the first four games, Allen started heating up when the calendar turned to October. He has scored multiple touchdowns five times this season, including four of the past five games. • Allen ranks third in the ACC and 23rd in the nation in rushing touchdowns in 2024 with 14.
SPREAD OFFENSE
• Syracuse is the only FBS school that has three players who are averaging 70.0 yards receiving or more per game this season. • WR Jackson Meeks leads the way with 75.9 ypg,. WR Trebor Pena is right behind, averaging 72.6 ypg., while TE Oronde Gadsden II averages 71.7 ypg. • Gadsden, Meeks and WR Darrell Gill Jr. surpassed 100 yards receiving against UConn. It marked the first time in program history that three ‘Cuse players recorded 100 receiving yards in a game. • The Orange have 13 100-yard receiving games this year, which is the highest total in the ACC.
TOUGH ON THIRD DOWN
• Syracuse ranks sixth in the nation in third down conversion percentage, converting on 49.5 percent of its chances. • The Orange have had 86 third down attempts this season, which ranks Ɵ ed for sixth in the nation. ‘Cuse has converted on 92 of those opportunities. • Syracuse has 310 first downs this season, which ranks fourth nationally and third in the ACC.
4 OVER 60
• Syracuse has four players with 60 receptions in a season for the first time in program history. • The Orange are the only team in the nation to have three or more players with 60 or more catches in 2024. • WR Trebor Pena has 79 receptions to lead the Orange. WR Jackson Meeks has 73, while TE Oronde Gadsden II has 69. RB LeQuint Allen Jr. reached 50 catches this season at Cal to join the group. He currently has 61.
PENA LEADS RECEIVING CORPS
• WR Trevor Pena has been the most frequent target for QB Kyle McCord this season. Pena leads the team in receptions (79) and is second in receiving yards (871). Both are career highs. • Pena recorded a career-high 11 catches in Syracuse’s win at California. He had six catches for a career-best 128 yards against Miami. • He leads the ACC and ranks 16th in the nation in receptions per game (6.6). He also ranks fourth in the league in receiving yards per game (72.6). • Pena has seven receiving touchdowns this season, which Ɵ es for fifth in the ACC.
POSITIONAL BESTS
• Syracuse has players that rank among the leaders at their position in receptions this season. • RB LeQuint Allen Jr. is second in catches by a running back with 61. • TE Oronde Gadsden II is fourth in the nation in receptions by a tight end with 69. • WR Trebor Pena has 79 receptions this season, which Ɵ es for ninth among FBS wide receivers.
1,000 YARD RECEIVERS
• Syracuse has two receivers who have 1,000 yards receiving in their careers. • TE Oronde Gadsden II surpassed 1,000 career receiving yards last season. He reached the milestone in the season opener against Colgate. He currently has 1,920 yards receiving in his career. • WR Trebor Pena reached the milestone in the Orange’s victory at Cal. He now has 1,142 yards receiving.
GAME NOTES:
OFFENSE O-LINE CONSISTENCY
• Syracuse’s offensive line has a combined 135 starts. • J’Onre Reed (24), Mark Petry (23) and Jakob Bradford (22) are in their second season as starters up front for the Orange. • Redshirt juniors Savion Washington and Da’Metrius Weatherspoon joined the group this season. Washington made his 31st career start against Miami combined between his time at Kent State, Colorado and Syracuse. Weatherspoon now has 21 career starts after the Boston College contest. He started all 12 games at right tackle at Grambling last season and earned HBCU All-America honors. • David Wohlabaugh Jr. (ω) made his third-straight start against Miami. He started the first two games of 2023 after transferring from Kentucky. He missed the remainder of the season due to an injury. • Josh Illoa made his first career start against Miami, while Joe Cruz (4) was in the starting lineup for the first time this season against the Hurricanes. • Additionally, Enrique Cruz has 18 career starts, all of which came in 2023.
TURNOVER TALE
• ‘Cuse has won the takeaway battle in 38 of its last 88 games (23 of the remaining 50 were even). • Syracuse has ranked in the top-15 in turnover margin in three of the last seven seasons. • Since the start of the 2018 season, Syracuse’s 141 takeaways rank 13th among FBS schools.
DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS
• DB Devin Grant scored Syracuse’s second defensive touchdown of the 2024 season when he returned a fumble for a touchdown in the win against Miami. • Earlier this season, DB Jayden Bellamy recorded his second career interception return for a touchdown. He was one of three players to record a pick six last season. • The Orange recorded three defensive touchdowns in each of the prior two seasons.
PINNING DOWN THE OPPOSITION
• K Brady Denaburg has recorded 59 touchbacks on 73 kickoff s this season. That performance continued a trend that began last season. • In 2023, Denaburg kicked off 62 times and had 56 touchbacks which was good for 90.3 percent. • That mark ranks as the highest percentage of touchbacks on kickoff s for the Orange since the line of scrimmage for the kickoff was moved to the 35-yard line prior to the 2012 season.
SPECIAL TEAMS U
• Syracuse has continued its long history of producing punters and kickers who have gone on to success in the NFL. • Since 2010, Syracuse is one of three schools to have multiple punters selected in the NFL Draft: Riley Dixon (2016) and Sterling Hofrichter (2020). The other is Texas A&M. • Hofrichter and P Nolan Cooney earned All-America honors in back-to-back seasons in 2019 and 2020, respectively. • K Andre Szmyt concluded his career in 2022 as Syracuse’s all-Ɵ me leader in points with 454. That total ranks 14th in FBS history and fourth in ACC history in scoring.
Washington State Cougars Notes
WASHINGTON STATE SET TO FACE SYRACUSE IN DIRECTV HOLIDAY BOWL
Washington State heads to San Diego for a matchup against No. 21 Syracuse in the DirecTV Holiday Bowl. Kickoff is set for Friday, December 27 at 5:05 p.m. on FOX.
ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE
Washington State enters the Holiday Bowl with an 8-4 record, the most wins since 2018 and are playing in its eighth bowl in the last nine full seasons. The Cougars own the nation’s No. 12 scoring offense (36.8) while the defense is No. 16 in the country with 22 takeaways. Wide receiver Kyle Williams is second nationally with 13 receiving touchdowns.
HOLIDAY BOWL HISTORY
Washington State is making its fifth appearance in the Holiday Bowl, the most among the program’s 19 bowl appearances. WSU dropped a 38-36 decision to BYU in 1981, beat fifth-ranked Texas 28-20 in 2003 before falling to Minnesota 17-12 in 2016 and Michigan State 42-17 in 2017. WSU is 8-10 all-time in bowl games with the last win coming in 2018, 28-26 over Iowa State at the Alamo Bowl.
COUGAR QUICK GAME
TEAM
• WSU is 8-4 for the most wins since 2018, is seeking first 9 win season since 2018 and 12th 9-win season all time • WSU is headed to its 8th bowl in last nine full seasons and 19th bowl all time • WSU owns 3 fourth-quarter comeback wins this season (San Jose State, at Fresno State, at San Diego State) • WSU owns 11 100-yard rushing games this season, most since 2005 (11), owns 2 300-yard games (TTU, USU) • WSU’s 22 defensive takeaways this season are No. 16 nationally, most by WSU since 2021 (29) • WSU has returned 3 INT for touchdowns, the most since 2013 (4)
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
• WSU’s roster features 5 players from San Diego, also includes Defensive GA/former WSU LB Jihad Woods K Ryan Harris, K Dean Janikowski, EDGE Jack Janikowski, WR Josh Meredith, EDGE Quinn Roff • WR Kyle Williams is 3rd nationally with 14 rec TD, 8 rec TD in last 4 games, leads team with 60 rec, 1026 rec yds • TE Cooper Mathers owns WSU single-season record 6 rec TD in 2024 • Edge Nusi Malani and OL Esa Pole were named to the 2024 Polynesian Player of the Year Watch List.
This will be the third meeting between LA Tech and Army and the first-time the two have met in a bowl game. Army leads the series 2-0 after picking up a 14-7 win in the first meeting in 2008 and a second win in 2013.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Notes
BULLDOGSTORYLINES AND 2024 LEADERS
• Louisiana Tech football returns to postseason play for the first time since the 2020 season as the Bulldogs will make their 14th bowl appearance in program history, taking on the Army Black Knights in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport on December 28 at 8:15 p.m. CT. This will mark LA Tech’s second appearance in a bowl game with less than six wins, after reaching the New Orleans bowl with a 5-5 record in 2020. • LA Tech will be in search of its ninth bowl victory, entering with an 8-4-1 record all-time in bowl games. This will be La Tech’s first bowl appearance under head coach Sonny Cumbie. The Bulldogs won six straight bowl games from 2014-19, with their last win coming over Miami in the 2019 Independence Bowl. • The Bulldogs finished the regular season with a 5-7 (4-4 CUSA) record, finishing fifth in CUSA. LA Tech defeated Kennesaw 33-0 in the season finale to finish with a 4-2 record inside Joe Aillet Stadium, while pitching their first shutout since the 2019 Independence Bowl versus Miami. Army enters the bowl matchup with an 11-2 mark and as the No. 19 ranked team in the country. The Black Knights posted a 10-1 record in the regular season and defeated Tulane win the American Athletic Conference Championship. • LA Tech’s defense finished the season as the No. 11 ranked total defense in the nation, allowing just 301.9 yards per game. Tech’s defense ranked in the top 30 in several other categories including rush defense (29th), passing yards allowed (22nd) and scoring defense (24th). The Bulldogs will have their handfuls as they will face an Army team that has the nation’s top rushing attack, averaging 298.9 yards rushing yards per game on the ground. The Black Knights average 31.4 points per outing, while LA Tech gives up an average of 20.5 points.
BY THE NUMBERS
14 LA Tech’s upcoming appearance in the Independence Bowl will mark the program’s 14th bowl game. The Bulldogs are 8-4-1 all-time in bowl games and will look for their first win since defeating Miami in 2019.
10 This will be the 10th time a team with five or fewer wins will play in a bowl game since 1980, including LA Tech’s appearance in the 2020 New Orleans Bowl. Those teams have a 5-4 record in those games.
9 Nine different LA Tech players earned All-CUSA honors. Tru Edwards and David Blay were named to the All-CUSA First Team, while Evan Bullock was earned a spot on the All-Freshman Team.
6 This will be the Bulldogs’ sixth appearance in the Independence Bowl, breaking a tie with Ole Miss. LA Tech is 3-1-1 in Independence Bowl matchups, including wins over Miami (2019), Northern Illinois (2008), East Carolina (1978) and Louisville (1977).
A LA TECH WIN…
• Would give the Bulldogs their ninth overall bowl win and their fourth Independence Bowl win. • Would give head coach Sonny Cumbie his second career bowl win as a head coach. • Would give LA Tech its first win over a ranked opponent since the 2009 season when the Bulldogs defeated No. 23 Fresno State. • Would give the Bulldogs their second win over a Military Academy. LA Tech is a combined 1-4 against Army and Navy. • Would give LA Tech 50 all-time wins in Shreveport.
MATCHUP NOTES
This will be the third meeting between LA Tech and Army and the first-time the two have met in a bowl game. Army leads the series 2-0 after picking up a 14-7 win in the first meeting in 2008 and a second win in 2013. The inaugural matchup took place in West Point, N.Y. midway through the 2008 season. Army rushed for 203 yards and one score, while holding LA Tech to just 152 total yards of offense. Ian Smith registered a 1-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter to go up 7-0. An R.P. Stuart 2-yard touchdown rush would tie the game midway through the third quarter, but the Black Knights were able to put the final nail in the coffin with a 2-yard passing score in the fourth quarter to pull away 14-7. LA Tech and Army matched up five years later in the Heart of Dallas Classic during the 2013 season. The Black Knights came away with a 35-16 victory after rushing for 414 yards and five scores. The Bulldogs finished with 377 total yards to Army’s 430. Ryan Higgins completed 20-of-36 passes for 320 yards, while connecting with Andrew Guillot five times for 123 yards and a score. Kenneth Dixon registered 16 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown in the loss. The Black Knights were picked to finish fifth in the American Athletic Conference preseason poll, but a 10-1 regular season record propelled them into the AAC Championship Game, where they defeated Tulane 35-14 to claim the title and finish first in the league. Army enters the bowl season with the No. 1 rushing offense in the FBS, averaging just under 300 yards on the ground per outing (298.9). Quarterback Bryson Daily will look to become the third FBS player in the last 25 years to have 1500+ rush yards and 30+ rush TDs in a season, as he enters the contest with 29 scores on the ground.
A HOME AWAY FROM HOME
LA Tech’s upcoming trip to the Independence Bowl will mark the Bulldogs’ 83rd game in the city of Shreveport, and the first game this decade. The Bulldogs have played 82 games in Shreveport since 1902, with their last game coming in the 2019 Independence Bowl. LA Tech will look for its 50th win all-time in Shreveport as they are 49-30-3. This contest will be the 10th time the Dogs have traveled to Shreveport this century. The Bulldogs have matched up against several teams in Shreveport, with most game being played at Independence Stadium, including Miami, Texas A&M, Baylor, Cal, Northwestern State and Tulsa.
RUN STOPPERS
The LA Tech defense held five opponents under 100 rushing yards this season, the most by a Bulldog defense since the 2018 season. The Bulldogs limited Nicholls to 62 yards on the ground in the season opener, 87 yards to FIU, 60 yards to MTSU, 63 yards to WKU, and 58 yards to Kennesaw. The Bulldogs only allowed one team to rush for 200+ yards in Arkansas, while holding 10 total teams to under 170 rushing yards. Every team 100+ yards against LA Tech in 2023, while the Tech defense only held one opponent under 100-yards in 2022 and 2021.
Army Black Knights Notes
#19 ARMY LOOKS FOR FIRST BOWL VICTORY SINCE 2021
#19 (AP) Army (11-2, 9-0) looks to rebound after falling in the 125th Army-Navy Game, 31-13 on Dec. 14 in Landover, Md. Army won the American Athletic Conference Championship a week prior, going 9-0 in conference play in its first season as a member of the conference, taking down Tulane, 35-14 on Dec. 6, however with the loss to Navy relinquished the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, a source of pride among the service academies. Monken’s unit won its conference matchups by an average score of 35.5 to 13.38. QB Bryson Daily has been the driving force for Army, who, with his 29 rushing touchdowns is tied for the FBS lead with Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty. Daily and his Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line has led Army to only its second 11-win season in school history (2018), both coming under Head Coach Jeff Monken. With a win, Army would capture its 12th win of the season which would be the most ever by an Army team. Army is 15-2 in its last 17 games dating back to last season. Louisiana Tech (5-7, 4-4) accepted the bowl bid after Marshall dropped out of the opportunity due to too many players in the transfer portal. The Bulldogs won its final regular season game, 33-0 over Kennesaw State to put them in a position to receive a bowl opportunity if a situation like this presented itself. WR Tru Edwards leads C-USA with 76 receptions, also recording 894 yards and six touchdowns
1ST AND 10
• Army won its first-ever conference championship on Dec 6, defeating Tulane to win the American Athletic Conference, in its first season as a league member. • Army is ranked #19 (AP Poll), #22 (CFP) and #18 in the Coaches Poll (Dec. 8). • Army has maintained a spot in the AP Top 25 for nine consecutive weeks, the longest stretch since being ranked each week of the 1958 season. • With a win, Army would capture its 12th victory of the season, the most ever in a single season in program history and would tie for the most wins in a season by a service academy with Air Force (1985 and 1998). • Army is 15-2 in its last 17 games dating back to last season. • Jeff Monken is 4-1 in bowl games at Army. Army’s last bowl game was a 24-22 win over Missouri in the 2021 Armed Forces Bowl. • Army is 7-3 all-time in bowl games. • Army has once before played in the Independence Bowl in 1996, a 32-29 loss to Auburn. •Army is 3-0 in bowl games following a loss to service academy rival, Navy (1985, 2010, 2021). • Army is 2-0 all-time vs. LA Tech, last meeting in 2013, a 35-16 win playing the game at the Cotton Bowl. • Sophomore RB Kanye Udoh (10 TDs, 1,117 rushing yards), will not be playing in the Independence Bowl. He entered the transfer portal following the Navy game and has since committed to Arizona State. • QB Bryson Daily’s 29 rushing touchdowns are tied for the FBS lead with Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty. Daily has played in one fewer game than Jeanty. • With one more rushing score, Daily will become the sixth player in NCAA history to total 30+ rushing touchdowns in a season. • Daily is 58 passing yards away from 1,000 on the season. If he reaches this, he would become only the second Army QB to have 1,000 rushing and passing yards in the same season joining only Kelvin Hopkins Jr., who did so in 2018. • OL Connor Finucane will start in his 51st consecutive game on the Army line, a program record. Finucane will have started in 52 career games and played in 61. • With five tackles, ILB Andon Thomas will have 100 tackles on the season. • K Trey Gronotte is a perfect 54-for-54 on PATs in his career, the third-longest PAT streak in program history.
The Arizona Juvenile Fillies Stakes is set to take place at Turfway Park on December 26, 2024. This race offers a purse of $40,000 and covers a distance of six and one-half furlongs on dirt. It is open to two-year-old fillies and is a key race in Turfway Park’s Winter Meet.
Race Details:
Purse: $40,000 (includes $2,600 from other sources and $4,500 from AZHR)
Distance: Six and one-half furlongs (Dirt)
Eligibility: Two-year-old fillies
Entry Fee: $300 to enter
Weight: 121 lbs (with allowances for non-winners of $15,000 and $7,500)
Winners’ Share: $25,201
Second Place: $8,000
Third Place: $4,000
Fourth Place: $2,800
Contenders:
A Thousand Miles (KY) – Jockey: Glenn Corbett, Trainer: Justin Evans, Odds: 8/5
Two Bar (KY) – Jockey: Guillermo Rodriguez, Trainer: Dan McFarlane, Odds: 5/1
Ginger in Charge (AZ) – Jockey: Jayden Ironeyes, Trainer: Alexis Leon, Odds: 6/1
Bango Gal (AZ) – Jockey: Leslie Mawing, Trainer: Rafael Barraza, Odds: 20/1
Analysis:
Sayucan: The morning-line favorite with odds of 2/1, Sayucan has shown consistent performance and is trained by Kevin Eikleberry. She recently won at Turf Paradise and is expected to be a strong contender.
A Thousand Miles: With odds of 8/5, A Thousand Miles is trained by Justin Evans and ridden by Glenn Corbett. She has shown promise and could be a strong contender.
Two Bar: Trained by Dan McFarlane and ridden by Guillermo Rodriguez, Two Bar has odds of 5/1 and has shown potential to perform well in this competitive field.
Ginger in Charge: With odds of 6/1, Ginger in Charge is trained by Alexis Leon and ridden by Jayden Ironeyes. She has shown potential but needs to step up against this competitive field.
Kitty House: Trained by Gonzalo Anderson and ridden by Rasheed Hughes, Kitty House has odds of 8/1 and has shown promise.
Be Aware: With odds of 12/1, Be Aware is trained by Robertino Diodoro and ridden by Orlando Mojica. She has shown potential but is considered an underdog.
Bango Gal: Trained by Rafael Barraza and ridden by Leslie Mawing, Bango Gal has odds of 20/1 and is considered an underdog.
The Arizona Juvenile Fillies Stakes promises to be an exciting race with a mix of top contenders and potential upsets. Will Sayucan continue her winning streak, or will another horse rise to the occasion?
The American Oaks (Grade I) is set to take place at Santa Anita Park on December 26, 2024. This prestigious race offers a purse of $300,000 and covers a distance of one and one-fourth miles on turf. It is open to three-year-old fillies and is a key race in Santa Anita’s Winter Meet.
Race Details:
Purse: $300,000
Distance: One and one-fourth miles (Turf)
Eligibility: Three-year-old fillies
Weight: 124 lbs
Entry Fee: $2,250 with an additional $2,250 to start
Rashmi (KY) – Jockey: Joel Rosario, Trainer: James Thomas, Odds: 12/1
Analysis:
She Feels Pretty: The morning-line favorite with odds of 7/5, She Feels Pretty is trained by Cherie DeVaux and ridden by Hall of Famer John Velazquez. She recently won the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland and is expected to be a strong contender.
Kathynmarissa: With odds of 4/1, Kathynmarissa is trained by Richard E. Dutrow Jr. and ridden by Frankie Dettori. She has shown strong performances and could be a surprise contender.
Medoro: Trained by Peter Eurton and ridden by Antonio Fresu, Medoro has odds of 6/1 and has shown potential to perform well in this competitive field.
Watchtower: With odds of 10/1, Watchtower is trained by Richard Baltas and ridden by Diego Herrera. She has shown promise and could be a strong contender.
Strutting: Trained by Michael W. McCarthy and ridden by Rafael Gonzalez, Strutting has odds of 15/1 and has shown potential but needs to step up against this competitive field.
Vibez: With odds of 20/1, Vibez is trained by Peter Eurton and ridden by Juan J. Hernandez. She has shown potential but is considered an underdog.
Baltic Fire: Trained by Steve Callaghan and ridden by Santiago Carmona, Baltic Fire has odds of 30/1. She has shown potential but needs to step up against this competitive field.
Chatalas: With odds of 15/1, Chatalas is trained by Michael Glatt and ridden by Flavien Prat. She has shown potential and could be a strong contender.
Mizzyaan: Trained by Michael W. McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Mizzyaan has odds of 20/1. She has shown potential but is considered an underdog.
Valence: With odds of 30/1, Valence is trained by Tom J Garrett and ridden by Kazushi Kimura. She has shown potential but needs to step up against this competitive field.
Rashmi: Trained by James Thomas and ridden by Joel Rosario, Rashmi has odds of 12/1. She has shown potential and could be a strong contender.
The American Oaks promises to be an exciting race with a mix of top contenders and potential upsets. Will She Feels Pretty live up to expectations, or will another horse rise to the occasion?
