Entertainment
Black trainer Larry Demeritte brings his $11,000 horse to the Kentucky Derby
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – If Larry Demeritte is searching for positive signs ahead of his first Kentucky Derby as a trainer, that is where his horse is assigned.
The longtime West Saratoga competitor resides in Barn 42 at Churchill Downs, the same location that housed Seattle Slew before he won the 1977 Derby and captured the Triple Crown. This was the first Derby during which Demeritte took part.
He is now the second black trainer since 1951 to saddle a horse in the one hundred and fiftieth Derby on Saturday. The second, Hank Allen, finished sixth in 1989 with the Northern Wolf team.
Black coaches dominated the Derby’s early years, winning seven of the first 17 between 1875 and 1891.
“We are so grateful to be here and enjoy every minute of it,” Demeritte said.
For the 74-year-old from the Bahamas, all the pieces has mattered since he was diagnosed with cancer in 1996 and underwent chemotherapy. His father was a coach in the islands, and Dermeritte still has the accent of his native country, where he was a number one coach for 2 years.
“My motto is: ‘I do not buy low cost horses. I purchase good horses cheaply,” he said with a smile.
Purchased for $11,000, West Saratoga is the pride of the 11-horse Demeritte stable at The Thoroughbred Center in nearby Lexington. The stallion earned $460,140.
“He’s getting better with every start,” he said. “I’ve been around a lot of good horses and this horse is really up there with a lot of them.”
The costliest horse in the 20-horse Derby is second-choice morning horse Sierra Leone, purchased for $2.3 million.
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This is owner Harry Veruchi’s first derby.
“I bought my first horse in 1982, and two weeks later he won at Centennial Race Track in Littleton, Colorado,” Veruchi said. “I believed: This is straightforward. Now, being here, who would have thought of it? I do not know anyone who has run in the Kentucky Derby, and even anyone who has won a graded stakes.
West Saratoga is known as after the street in Littleton where Veruchi grew up. It is positioned six blocks from the Centennial track, which closed in 1983.
The just one of their group with any Derby experience is jockey Jesus Castanon. In 2011 aboard Shackleford he finished fourth. They set the pace and led at the eighth pole, only to be overtaken by the eventual winner Animal Kingdom.
“I thought I was going to win it,” Castanon said. “I was going crazy in my mind.”
Demeritte has led horses in the Derby in recent times.
“I’ve been practicing,” he said, his smile revealing the gap in his front teeth. “I used to pray to get to the Derby. I feel blessed with this horse.”
Demeritte looks to the sky on Saturday, when the forecast calls for a 43% likelihood of rain. The gray stallion never ran on a wet track, but his father did.
Exaggerator finished second in the 2016 Derby and went on to win the Preakness and Haskell. Both races took place on uneven tracks.
“It’s really amazing how we managed to get this position on this horse,” Demeritte said. “I hope people see our history and take an interest in the sport because this horse proves that anyone with a dream can get on the Derby stage.”
Entertainment
Usher to provide the address of the Emory University class start from 2025 graduates
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It seems that there will not be much that Usher Raymond IV – Better, known to the world, simply as a USher – no. He can sing. He can dance. He can sing and dance while skating. He works. Sells Las Vegas residences. Performs philanthropic work.
And also performs the completion addresses. Usher was utilized by the University in its own yard. May 12 Usher will provide the address at Emory University 180. Ceremony of graduation and shall be awarded with an honorary doctorate in humanitarian letters from the institution. This will not be the first Usher Rodeo with an honorary doctorate; In 2023 Berklee School of Music in Boston He awarded the International Superstar with distinction. He also gave comments then.
Usher will not be alien to Emory University. His non-profit, New Usher Lookwhich according to the website“He transforms the lives of malnourished youth through a comprehensive program that develops passion, global leaders”, has established cooperation with Emory’s University’s University Goizueta Business School in a 400-hour program helping to prepare teenagers for faculty. Apparently, non-profit influenced over 50,000 students.
“I spent my life following my spark – my passion – and trying to support young people when they find and follow their own passions. I am excited that I have the opportunity to talk to these amazing Emory students who graduate and prepare for imprint in the world – said Usher in Billboard statement.
Usher is one of the most successful musical acts in history, selling over 80 million records, winning many Grammy awards and has toured throughout the world since his profession in the mid -90s. His album “Confessions” from 2004 is the second best -selling album from 2000 and is taken into account by Rolling Stone as one of the best albums of all of all of all.
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Entertainment
The most iconic moments of the beauty of Robert Flack – Essence
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Anthony Barboza/Getty Images
Robert Flack, a valued singer, songwriter and pianist, died on February 24, 2025, at the age of 88. The legendary singer, whose velvety voice again defined the soul and R&B, stays a everlasting icon of elegance, emotions and artistry. With timeless classics, resembling “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and “The First Time Ever and Wis See Your Face”, the singer died the audience captivated the audience along with her ability to weave delicacy and power in every note. Not only will we take heed to her repetitive music, but we won’t stop eager about its most iconic moments of beauty.
In the 70s Robert seriously swayed Afro – a daring statement of being black and proud – during performances at live shows, including the famous Newport Jazz festival. Two years later, she honored the scene of Ronnie Scott in London along with her hair drawn into the band, combined with dramatic long eyelashes, which defined her characteristic appearance. Always to experiment with hair, she also accepted braids decorated with beads, without effort combining style and cultural pride.
Just a few many years quickly forward, and Robert was still turning her head. While playing in Gillette Civil Rights 2010 between Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals, she stunned the navy blue eye shadow, a dark light highlighter and daring red lipstick. The following yr, she performed at Bideawee Ball from 2011 with full rhythm – eyeliner, mascara, highlighter and its characteristic red lips. And in 2020 she performed unforgettable during the 62th annual Grammy Awards, wearing a beautiful curly crown and the same red lipstick that we met and loved.
In honor of her everlasting legacy, we glance back at some of the most iconic beauty moments of Roberta’s incomparable flack.
Entertainment
Joe Freshgoods X New Balance 992 “Starn Well” is celebrating cooperation
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Joe Freshgoods selects five years and counts with New Balance because of his latest version 992 “Arged Well”, a tribute to his creative partnership with a characteristic brand of sportswear, which still supports his design talents and a contagious passion.
After Debut On the Joe Freshgoods New Balance 992 website, Chicago Creative is preparing for a wider version of February 28 via newbalance.com and chosen retail sellers. The new edition of the sneakers means the fifth anniversary of Joe of New Balance, milestone after almost stood before closing his now widely beloved and known brand.
The document coming in June 2025 is shared within the history of Joe’s success, from his start as an area Streetwearus brand in his hometown of Chicago to providing New Balance partnership in 2020, when he wasn’t sure find out how to keep his business.
“He examines how the partnership influenced the global culture of sneakers and development transparency”, Joe common In the announcement on Instagram, “which was more important to me than just doing it about tennis games. This is a real life. ”
The trailer of the documentation offers access to Joe’s journey, presenting his modest approach to success and its influence on the Boston brand of sportswear founded in 1906. Since joining New Balance, Joe Robinson (higher referred to as Joe Freshgoods), a champion with a young history.
Five years later, with 20 Sneakers Publishing House and counting the most recent cooperation of New Balance Joe Freshgoods is a love letter for his creative journey with the Boston brand.
“Sometimes I feel that I shouldn’t be here. But I am here and say, “Oh, I’m good at what I do,” he says within the film.
Project 992 “Agnish well” attracts the inspiration from the primary cooperation of Joe Freshgoods from New Balance – the edition of New Balance 992 “No Emotions”, also referred to as “heart anatomy”. It was a right away hit and celebrated in the course of the NBA All-Star weekend, and now charges resale prices around $ 3,000.
While the explanations for the New Balance revival may vary, many consider the primary release of Joe 992 to be a catalyst that enlivened the brand. Sneakers have pink and red suede silhouettes placed on an olive mesh base and accented saddle skin on the tongue and rear card.
Four sets of lace are attached, and the box is decorated with unique details reflecting the theme “aging well”. In addition, Joe Freshgoods designed the “Championship Dreams” leather university jacket to commemorate his five -year success as a designer.
“I wanted this jacket to capture the essence of the last five years – each project was a milestone, another closed chapter, another dream,” Joe signature Post on Instagram. “Over time, I had the honor to tell culturally important stories, and this jacket reflects this travel project according to the design.”
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