Baseball wraps up; Maple Leafs settle in

Plenty of local participation in Harrisburg Horse Sale in Pennsylvania

The World Series of baseball is now in the history books, and it was no great surprise the Houston Astros emerged as world champions.

It was a thrilling six-game series against the very good Philadelphia Phillies, who proved they are an up-andcoming club.

Houston field manager Dusty Baker kept the middle of his lineup intact throughout the playoffs, and the airtight defence played a big role in their championship run. In addition, Baker used a balanced attack and kept his best hitters in the three, four, five slots coming to the plate with runners on base and not wasted at the top of the batting order.

On the NHL front, the demise of the Toronto Maple Leafs has been greatly exaggerated. The Leafs beat two very good clubs in Boston and Carolina with a back-up goalie and lost an overtime heartbreaker to Vegas on Nov. 8.

In all three games, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner played like stars, and Toronto looked like Stanley Cup contenders. Early in the NHL season, there have been notable surprises, especially the New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres and, to a lesser extent, Philadelphia and Montreal.

For Toronto Maple Leafs’ lovers and haters, let's not kid yourselves – the Leafs are set for a long playoff run.

NFL

The National Football League (NFL) heads into Week 10.

After last week's upset by the New York Jets over the Buffalo Bills, where will the upset be this week?

Tampa Bay (4-5) plays Seattle (6-3) In Munich, Germany, and the Bucs are threepoint favourites, but not by me. Seattle wins outright.

New Orleans (3-6) is at Pittsburgh (2-6), and the Vegas oddsmakers have the Steelers as three-point home dogs. Not on my books – Steelers, coming off a bye week and an upset win, will win again.

Buffalo Bills (6-2) visit Minnesota (7-1), and the question mark here is the health of Bills QB Josh Allen. The Vikings are 7.5-point home dogs and can win outright. Take the points and bet Minnesota.

If you're looking for two guaranteed wins, take the Raiders (2-6) over home Indianapolis (3-5), six-point dogs, and take host Dallas (6-2) over fading Green Bays (3-6).

HARNESS RACING

… Live harness racing continues with a 10-dash card at Red Shores Charlottetown on Nov. 12 at 12:30 p.m. The $3,150 feature has attracted a five-horse field with the likes of First Glance, Nogreatmischief, Boys Turn, StCharles Fireball and Blue Monk.

… Maritime-bred Saulsbrook Victor (Source of Pride) stepped to a new lifetime best of 1:49.3 in winning the $28,000 co-feature at Mohawk Raceway on Nov. 5. Owner Brett MacDonald drove the winner for trainer Ron MacDonald. Woodmere

Stealdeal was a close third in the nine-horse field.

… The harness racing spotlight was on the Harrisburg Horse Sale all this week in Pennsylvania. The Stable. Ca purchased seven head in the first two days, including $165,000 for a Captain Crunch brother to threeyear-old standout Fourever

Boy, p,3, $475,000, and 77,000 for a Father Patrick first foal on opening day.

… Dr. Ian Moore shelled $165,000 for a Hip #49, a Bettors Delight colt for Serge Savard and Ron MacLennan.

… Wayne MacRae and Gilles Barrieau landed a Bettors Delight filly for $35,000 and a similar price for a McWicked colt.

… Mark MacDonald collared a beautiful International Money filly for $60,000.

… There was a huge contingent from the Maritimes with familiar faces like Curtis MacDonald and Mark McKelvie, who did the video coverage for the sale.

… As well, Wayne McGean, Anthony Beaton and veteran Fred Grant, all from Caper Breton, were active bidders. Others in attendance were Andrew Moore, Dr. John Hennessey and Marcel Barrieau, as well as Tammie McNevin of Twinbrook Farms, who did a seminar at Red Shores last spring. Tammie sold a colt on Day 2 for $310,000.

… James MacDonald, who leads all Canadian drivers in money and wins, drove Warrawee in the Matron Filly Trot at Hoosier on Nov. 11 on the same card with brother Mark’s King of the North, the Breeders Crown winner.

… Saulsbrook Victor goes Nov. 12 in the $34,000 feature at Mohawk against Warrawee Vital, Wheels on Fire, Sintra, etc.

… Maritime favourite Rotten Ronnie also goes at Mohawk on Nov. 12.