SPORT

ATLANTA — Tiger Woods was going for his seventh straight PGA Tour victory when he tied for second at Torrey Pines. He earned $264,000 that day to move to No. 1 in career tour earnings.

That was Feb. 13, 2000, and Woods stayed there ever since — until Sunday.

Scottie Scheffler won the Tour Championship to capture his second FedEx Cup title and the $10 million prize — now considered official money — to raise his career total to $130,390,661.

Woods had been at $120,999,166 since he made his last cut on the PGA Tour at the 2024 Masters.

This is an entirely different era of golf, and Scheffler finally topping Woods in career earnings was inevitable. That it happened so quickly is a testament to Scheffler’s dominance. He has been No. 1 in the world since May 2023.

The popularity and momentum Woods brought to the sport 30 years ago generated enormous spikes in prize money. And then with the arrival of Saudi-funded LIV Golf in 2022, the PGA Tour responded with even greater increases to keep more players from defecting.

There were 15 prize funds of $20 million or more this season on the PGA Tour schedule. Woods never played for a $10 million purse during his peak years from 1997 through 2009.

Woods won the FedEx Cup twice when it was worth $10 million, all in bonus money. Scheffler earned $23 million in bonus money last week by leading the FedEx Cup in points. The FedEx Cup finale has counted as official the last two years.

Most telling about the rapid increase in money was the 2024 Masters. Woods, at age 48 and trying to recover from multiple back surgeries and a 2023 car crash that shattered his right leg and ankle, finished in last place and made $44,000.

Scheffler won the Masters that year and moved to No. 12 on the career earnings list at $57,658,464. He has earned just over $72.7 million in his last 50 tournaments over two years and four months.

It was a matter of time, and it really doesn’t matter to Scheffler.

“The reason our purses are so large today is because of the influence and impact that Tiger had on the game,” Scheffler said before the Tour Championship started. “I wouldn’t really consider that a Tiger record being broken. I think it just shows one of the many effects he had on the game of golf in a positive way.”

Scheffler indicated last week in St. Louis the Tiger number he cares about his victories. Scheffler won for the 22nd time Sunday at East Lake. Woods shares the PGA Tour record at 82 victories.

Ferguson writes for the Associated Press.

The Rams went into training camp with a roster jammed with stars and other notable players.

So for an undrafted player to make the team’s initial 53-man roster was among the most unlikely scenarios in the NFL.

And that was before future Hall of Fame defensive lineman Aaron Donald announced Sunday that he was ending a two-year retirement to rejoin a team favored to win the Super Bowl.

But outside linebacker Wesley Bailey, an undrafted free agent who played at Rutgers and Louisville, beat the odds. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Bailey impressed during preseason games against the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints before playing only a few snaps against the Chargers, an indication that coach Sean McVay was going to keep him.

The Rams waived or terminated the contracts of 34 players, including defensive lineman Tim Keenan III, a seventh-round draft pick. If they clear waivers, many are expected to be signed to the 16-player practice squad.

The Rams moved to get something for at least one player they feared would not clear waivers, trading tight end Mark Redman to the Green Bay Packers for a 2028 seventh-round draft pick.

They also placed offensive linemen Justin Dedich and Keagen Trost on injured reserve, along with quarterback Matthew Caldwell.

The Rams, led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, the reigning NFL most valuable player, open the season on Sept. 10 against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia.

McVay has not said whether Stetson Bennett or rookie Ty Simpson will be Stafford’s backup.

Star receiver Puka Nacua and starting left tackle Alaric Jackson are the subjects of continuing investigations by the NFL related to separate off-the-field incidents. If the league determines that they violated the league’s personal-conduct policy, they could be suspended.

Barring change, the Rams will travel to Australia with a roster top-heavy with tight ends, receivers and outside linebackers and — because of players’ versatility — minimal numbers at cornerback.

McVay’s incorporation of three tight-end sets into the offense last season paved the way for the Rams to carry five tight ends: Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, Terrance Ferguson and rookie Max Klare. Ferguson’s skill set ostensibly makes him an option as a third receiver behind stars Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.

The Rams’ trade last week for veteran Tutu Atwell, in a deal that sent running back Jarquez Hunter to the Miami Dolphins, gives them seven receivers.

Bailey is part of an outside linebacker group that includes Myles Garrett, Byron Young, Josaiah Stewart and Desjuan Johnson.

Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Josh Wallace are the cornerbacks. The Rams kept only four in part because safety Quentin Lake plays as a hybrid slot corner/inside linebacker, and Wallace can play safety.

Dedich and Trost must sit out four games. The nine offensive linemen on the roster are starting center Coleman Shelton, guards Kevin Dotson and Steve Avila and tackles Jackson and Warren McClendon Jr., along with reserves David Quessenberry, Beaux Limmer, Bill Murray and Dylan McMahon.

The Times’ top 10 high school flag football rankings:

1. JSerra (9-0)
The Lions are 37-0 since the start of last season and all but four of the wins during their streak have been by 10 points or more.
Next: Wednesday at Corona Santiago.

2. Newport Harbor (8-1)
Scarlett Guyser threw for three touchdowns, ran for another and intercepted a pass in the Sunset League opener versus Edison.
Next: Monday at Marina.

3. Orange Lutheran (7-1)
Wide receivers Josie Anderson, Ava Harrison and Summer Mele have combined for 96 catches, 892 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Next: Monday at Woodbridge.

4. Sierra Canyon (5-2)
Makena Cook threw seven touchdown passes in the Trailblazers’ 53-0 win over Bishop Alemany in their Mission League opener.
Next: Monday at Flintridge Sacred Heart.

5. Corona del Mar (8-1)
Addi Stern threw for two touchdowns and had three sacks, seven deflections and an interception in upset of Huntington Beach.
Next: Monday vs. Los Alamitos.

6. Huntington Beach (4-2)
Four receivers have 25 or more catches for the Oilers. Roxie Shaia threw for four touchdowns in 20-18 loss to Corona del Mar.
Next: Monday at Fountain Valley.

7. Dos Pueblos (8-2)
The Chargers capped a 4-0 week with a 58-0 rout of Fillmore and an 18-6 win versus Scripps Ranch at Saturday’s Ventura Showcase.
Next: Tuesday at Santa Barbara.

8. Westlake (7-3)
Star receiver Olivia Elsokary and the Warriors rebounded from a 21-19 defeat to Dos Pueblos with a 26-13 victory over Oxnard.
Next: Thursday vs. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.

9. Lakewood St. Joseph (7-0)
The Jesters outscored their last three opponents (Mira Costa, Redondo Union and Atherton Sacred Heart Prep) by a margin of 80-12.
Next: Tuesday at Beckman.

10. Oxnard (6-4)
Ryanna Harris has rushed for 575 yards and eight touchdowns in 80 carries and has six interceptions and 40 flag pulls.
Next: Tuesday at Buena.

Moses Itauma vowed “I’ll be back” after failing in his attempt to become the second-youngest ever heavyweight world champion on Saturday.

Britain’s Itauma, 21, tore through his first 14 opponents but his team threw in the towel in the ninth round against Filip Hrgovic at O2 Arena, London.

Having appeared to punch himself out, Itauma was barely able to stand as Hrgovic, 34, applied pressure to end the fight.

“It wasn’t my night, we attempted greatness and just fell short to the more experienced man,” Itauma said on social media.

“I want to say congratulations to Filip Hrgovic on his win. And although I never reached my desired outcome, I believe I gained experience that I’ll take to my future fights.

“God bless, take care and I’ll be back.”

DETROIT — The Dodgers’ game against the Tigers on Sunday at Comerica Park began in a rain delay.

First pitch was at 11:35 a.m. PDT following a 55-minute delay.

Dodger manager Dave Roberts was anticipating a potential delay a couple hours before the original game time.

“Then it’s supposed to kind of be isolated around 5:30 [2:30 p.m. PDT,]” Roberts said of the storm forecast. “So there is that window 2-5 p.m. [11 a.m.-2 p.m. PDT], that looks promising.”

Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow took the mound opposite Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez.

A look at the top 25 high school football teams in the Southland after Week 1:

Rk. School (record) result; Next game; last week’s ranking

1. SANTA MARGARITA (2-0) def. Corona Centennial, 21-20; vs. Palmdale Highland, Friday; 4

2. CORONA CENTENNIAL (1-1) lost to Santa Margarita, 21-20; at Mater Dei, Sept. 11; 1

3. ST. JOHN BOSCO (1-1) def. Philadelphia Roman Catholic, 45-25; at Pittsburg, Friday; 2

4. SIERRA CANYON (2-0) def. Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade, 24-7; vs. Honolulu St. Louis, Sept. 10; 3

5. ORANGE LUTHERAN (1-1) def. San Diego Cathedral, 38-24; vs. Chandler (Ariz.) Basha, Friday; 5

6. MISSION VIEJO (2-0) def. St. Paul, 77-12; at Folsom, Friday; 6

7. MATER DEI (1-0) def. Orem (Utah), 32-26; vs. Corona Centennial, Sept. 11; 7

8. SAN CLEMENTE (2-0) did not play; at Chaparral, Friday; 8

9. RANCHO CUCAMONGA (2-0) def. Oaks Christian, 44-14; at Oak Hills, Thursday; 9

10. CHAPARRAL (1-1) def. San Juan Hills, 31-19; vs. San Clemente, Friday; 10

11 CREAN LUTHERAN (2-0) def. Mira Costa, 31-10; vs. JSerra, Friday; 12

12. CHAMINADE (3-0) def. Valencia, 35-10; at Beaumont, Sept. 11; 13

13. PALOS VERDES (2-0) def. Orlando (Fla.) Bishop Moore, 21-18; at Carson, Thursday; 14

14. SERVITE (1-1) def. Murrieta Valley, 42-10; vs. Peoria (Ariz.) Centennial, Friday; 16

15. CARSON (2-0) def. Dorsey, 31-8; vs. Palos Verdes, Thursday; 15

16. JSERRA (1-1) def. Long Beach Wilson, 63-0; at Crean Lutheran, Friday; 17

17. DAMIEN (2-0) def. Vista Murrieta, 27-21; at Las Vegas Faith Lutheran, Friday; 18

18. OXNARD PACIFICA (2-0) def. San Diego Lincoln, 52-28; at Hart, Friday; 19

19. EDISON (1-1) lost to Phoenix Pinnacle, 32-28; vs. Corona del Mar, Thursday; 11

20. GARDENA SERRA (1-1) def. L.A. Hamilton, 49-12; at Los Alamitos, Friday; 20

21. BISHOP AMAT (2-0) def. Oak Hills, 22-3; vs. Valencia, Thursday; 21

22. CORONA DEL MAR (2-0) def. Santa Barbara, 37-7; at Edison, Thursday; 22

23. YORBA LINDA (2-0) def. Long Beach Poly, 30-12; vs. El Dorado, Friday; 23

24. WESTLAKE (2-0) def. Agoura, 38-7; vs. Chatsworth, Thursday; 24

25. ST. BONAVENTURE (2-0) def. St. Pius X-St. Matthias, 34-21; vs. Trabuco Hills, Friday; 25

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

(Games at 7 p.m. unless noted)

THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE

CITY SECTION

Nonleague

Angelou at Maywood CES

Arroyo at Sylmar

Bell at Eagle Rock

Belmont at Monroe

Canoga Park at Verdugo Hills

Crenshaw at Los Angeles Hamilton

Fremont at South East

Fulton at Panorama, 3:30 p.m.

Gardena at King/Drew

Grant at Legacy

Hollywood at Dymally, 4 p.m.

Jefferson at Lincoln

Los Angeles ar Taft

Los Angeles Marshall at Bernstein

Los Angeles University at Santee

Mayfair at Marquez

Narbonne at Fairfax

Palisades at Granada Hills

San Fernando at Franklin

Van Nuys at Roybal

Washington Prep at Rivera

Westchester at San Pedro, 7:30 p.m.

SOUTHERN SECTION

Nonleague

Arrowhead Christian at San Bernardino

Beaumont at Summit

Beckman at Santa Ana

Bloomington at Pacific

Carter at Banning

Chino at Ayala

Claremont at Glendora

Corona del Mar at Edison

Dana Hills at Esperanza

La Canada at Village Christian

Lancaster at Bishop Diego

Loara at Bolsa Grande

Los Osos at Charter Oak

Norte Vista at Santa Ana Foothill

Ocean View at Buena Park

Pasadena Marshall at Santa Fe

Ramona at Hillcrest

Rancho Cucamonga at Oak Hills

Riverside Notre Dame at Cathedral City

Riverside Prep at Antelope Valley

San Dimas at Colony

Shadow Hills at Yucaipa

Temecula Valley at Paloma Valley

Upland at Villa Park

Valencia at Bishop Amat

Valley View at Vista del Lago

Vista Murrieta at Apple Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Webb at Temecula Prep

Westminster at Garden Grove

Xavier Prep at Serrano

INTERSECTIONAL

Boron at Silver Valley

Chatsworth at Westlake

Cleveland at Castaic

Desert Mirage at Mendez

Firebaugh at Los Angeles Jordan

Granada Hills Kennedy at Canyon Country Canyon

Lawndale at Los Angeles Wilson

Los Angeles Roosevelt at Monrovia

Manual Arts at Lynwood

Mayfair at Marquez

Palos Verdes at Carson

Reseda at Santa Ana Calvary Chapel, 7:30 pm.

Royal at Contreras

South El Monte at Garfield

Venice at Harvard-Westlake

Wenatchee (Washington) at Linfield Christian

West Adams at Compton Early College

Wilmington Banning at Long Beach Cabrillo

8-MAN

CITY SECTION

Nonleague

Animo Robinson at Sotomayor

USC Hybrid at East Valley

SOUTHERN SECTION

Nonleague

Villanova Prep at Coastal Christian

PAL Academy at California School for the Deaf

INTERSECTIONAL

Legacy Christian Academy at Valley Oaks CES

Milken at Mojave, 4 p.m.

Noli Indian at Vista Meridian, 6 p.m.

Sherman Oaks CES at Faith Baptist, 4 p.m.

FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE

SOUTHERN SECTION

Nonleague

Adelanto at Sultana

Alemany at Compton, 6 p.m.

Aliso Niguel at El Toro

Arcadia at La Salle

Arlington at Fontana

Arroyo at Katella

Bassett at Temple City

Big Bear at Glendale

Bishop Montgomery at Simi Valley

Bonita at Western

Bosco Tech at Keppel

Brentwood at Oak Park

Buena at Fillmore

Burbank at Calabasas

Burbank Burroughs at Santa Monica

California at Baldwin Park

Cantwell-Sacred Heart at Nogales

Canyon Country Canyon at Glendale

Capistrano Valley Christian at Laguna Hills

Cerritos at Cerritos Valley Christian

Chaffey at Heritage

Citrus Hill at Arroyo Valley

Coachella Valley at Palm Springs

Compton Centennial at Peninsula, 4 p.m.

Corona at Miller

Covina at Montclair

Crescenta Valley vs/ Golden Valley at Canyon Country Canyon

Damien at Faith Lutheran

Del Sol at Santa Paula

Desert at Desert Christian, 6 p.m.

Dos Pueblos at Santa Barbara

Eisenhower at Cypress

El Dorado at Yorba Linda

El Modena at Tesoro

El Rancho at West Covina

Estancia at Bell Gardens

Etiwanda at Alta Loma

Gabrielino at Azusa

Ganesha at Don Lugo

Garden Grove Pacifica at Anaheim Canyon

Gardena Serra at Los Alamitos

Garey at Sierra Vista

Gahr at Artesia

Glenn at California Military

Grand Terrace at Redlands

Great Oak at Capistrano Valley

Hacienda Heights Wilson at St. Bernard

Hawthorne at West Torrance

Hemet at Rancho Mirage

Heritage Christian at Carpinteria

Highland vs. Santa Margarita at Saddleback College

Hueneme at Oxnard

Huntington Beach at Long Beach Wilson

Irvine University at Portola

JSerra at Crean Lutheran

Kaiser at Granite Hills

Lakeside at Twentynine Palms

La Mirada at Bellflower

La Palma Kennedy at Sunny Hills

La Quinta at Citrus Valley

Littlerock at Viewpoint

Long Beach Jordan at Hesperia

Long Beach Poly at Tustin

Los Amigos at Costa Mesa

Los Altos at Schurr

Loyola at Mira Costa

Marina at Fountain Valley

Millikan at Downey

Mountain View at Hoover, 6 p.m.

Muir at St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy

Murrieta Valley at Cajon

Newbury Park at Arroyo Grande

North Torrance at Mary Star of the Sea

Northview at Torrance

Northwood at Brea Olinda

Norwalk at Pasadena

Ontario at Jurupa Valley

Orange at Elsinore

Orange Vista at Norco

Oxnard Pacifica vs. Hart at College of the Canyons

Palmdale vs. West Ranch at Valencia

Palm Desert at Victor Valley

Paraclete at La Habra

Paramount at Dominguez

Patriot at Canyon Springs

Pioneer at Rancho Alamitos

Placentia Valencia at Rowland

Pomona at Duarte

Rancho Christian at West Valley

Rancho Verde at Murrieta Mesa

Redondo Union at Culver City

Rialto at Desert Hot Springs

Ridgecrest Burroughs at Eastside

Riverside North at Riverside King

Riverside Poly at Redlands East Valley

Rio Hondo Prep at Quartz Hill

Rosemead at El Monte

Rubidoux at Vasquez

Saddleback at Montebello

Salesian at La Serna

San Clemente at Chaparral

San Gabriel at South Pasadena

San Jacinto Valley Academy at Desert Christian Academy

San Juan Hills at Chino Hills

San Marcos at Channel Islands

Santa Ana Valley at Garden Grove Santiago

Santa Rosa Academy at Indian Springs

Saugus at Camarillo

Savanna at Century

Segerstrom at Barstow

Silverado at Corona Santiago

Sonora at Walnut

South Hills at Diamond Ranch

South Torrance at El Segundo

St. Anthony at St. Margaret’s

St. Francis at Crespi

Tahquitz at Moreno Valley

Temescal Canyon at Jurupa Hills

Thousand Oaks at Agoura

Trabuco Hills at St. Bonaventure

Troy at Fullerton

Ventura at Lakewood

Western Christian at Maranatha

Westminster La Quinta at Godinez

Whittier at St. Paul

Whittier Christian at Ontario Christian

Woodbridge at Irvine

Workman at La Puente

Yucca Valley at Colton

INTERSECTIONAL

Anza Hamilton at Tri-City Christian

Bakersfield Liberty at Oaks Christian

Beverly Hills at Army-Navy

Cathedral at Sacramento Grant

Chandler Basha (Arizona) vs. Orange Lutheran at Orange Coast College

Chatsworth at Westlake

Desert Mirage at Mendez

Grace ar El Camino Real

Highlands Ranch Valor (Colo.) vs. Mater Dei at Santa Ana Stadium

Huntington Park at St. Monica, 7:30 p.m.

Inglewood at Gilbert Highland (Ariz.)

Las Vegas Shadow Ridge at Laguna Beach

Leuzinger at San Diego Lincoln

Mira Monte at Nordhoff

Mission Viejo at Folsom

Moorpark at Birmingham

Moreau Catholic at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame

Peoria Centennial (Ariz.) vs. Servite at Cerritos College

St. John Bosco at Pittsburg

South Gate at Warren

Torres at Verbum Dei

Victory Christian Academy at Nuview Bridge

8-MAN

SOUTHERN SECTION

Nonleague

Academy of Careers & Exploration at Calvary Baptist

Cuyama Valley at Laguna Blanca, 3 p.m.

Price at United Christian Academy

INTERSECTIONAL

Chadwick at Mammoth

Coast Union at Laton

Cornerstone Christian at North County St. Joseph Academy

Maricopa at Immanuel Christian

Public Safety Academy at Francis Parker, 6 p.m.

TEACH Tech Charter at Lancaster Baptist

West Shores at Lucerne Valley

SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE

SOUTHERN SECTION

Nonleague

San Marino at Alhambra

Santa Clara at St. Jeanne de Lestonnac, 6 p.m.

INTERSECTIONAL

Dorsey at Castlemont

8-MAN

CITY SECTION

Nonleague

South LA College Prep at Stella, 12 p.m.

SOUTHERN SECTION

Nonleague

Cate at Valley Christian Academy, 6 p.m.

Santa Clarita Christian at Hesperia Christian, 6 p.m.

INTERSECTIONAL

California Lutheran at Downey Calvary Chapel, 6 p.m.

Malibu at Orcutt Academy, 2 p.m.

New Designs Watts at Pasadena Poly, 11 a.m.

New Designs University Park at Lighthouse Christian, 6 p.m.

It looked as though Barcelona were not planning to sign another striker in the event of failing to capture Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, who continue to make a deal extremely difficult.

However, the unexpected availability of Gabriel Jesus has changed Barca’s approach. The Brazilian was not initially part of the club’s plans, but the circumstances surrounding his situation at Arsenal have opened the door to a move.

Barcelona have taken advantage of the fact that he is no longer as prominent in Arsenal‘s squad as he has been, especially with Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres now ahead of him in the pecking order.

With Jesus’ Arsenal contract running until the summer of 2027, the club are willing to consider his departure for a fee rather than losing him on a free transfer next year.

The main question surrounding the move to Barca is Jesus’ injury history. He has suffered significant knee problems during his time at Arsenal. An anterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee, suffered in January 2025, kept him out for 10 months.

None of these necessarily means Barcelona will abandon their long-term interest in Alvarez.

Following Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres’ departures from the club, Barcelona wanted to add a natural centre-forward to their attacking options. Jesus offers something different from a traditional number nine, with his ability to operate across the front line and contribute to the build-up making him an attractive option for Hansi Flick.

If the deal is completed, Flick will be adding a highly experienced forward to his squad. Jesus made 27 appearances for Arsenal last season in all competitions, scoring six goals, while his six-season spell at Manchester City produced 236 appearances and 95 goals.

For Barca, the move represents a relatively low-cost opportunity to add experience, versatility and Premier League pedigree to their attack.

“The Conference of Champions” captivated the college football world.

A conference anchored in deep regional ties, historic rivalries and a century of shared traditions.

Since its breakup in 2024, the old Pac-12 has become a distant memory. But fans will get a throwback to the “Pac-12 After Dark” era when UCLA and California open the season Saturday at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley.

The battle between two new coaches, with former James Madison coach Bob Chesney leading UCLA against former Oregon defensive coordinator and Cal alum Tosh Lupoi, will mark the first time the sister schools have faced off since 2023; that matchup, coincidentally, was the old Pac-12’s final regular season game.

UCLA players congratulate kicker Mateen Bhaghani (94) after he kicked a 54-yard field goal against Penn State on Oct. 4 at the Rose Bowl.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

While just 13 Bruins remain on the roster since their 33-7 loss three seasons ago, a pair of former Golden Bears who were on the winning side — running back Jaivian Thomas and kicker Mateen Bhaghani — now wear UCLA jerseys.

The Bruins’ roster features three other former Bears — senior wide receiver Mikey Matthews, senior outside linebacker Ryan McCulloch and fifth-year defensive lineman Tyson Ford — along with linebackers coach Vic So’oto and director of player personnel Nic So’oto, both of whom spent last year at Berkeley.

For Thomas, in particular, Saturday represents not only a return to his former school, but also a homecoming for the Oakland native.

“I’m going back home, about 15 minutes away from Berkeley. It’s where I started my college career,” Thomas said. “I want to stamp that game, and once I found out we played them, it was marked on my calendar. I’m excited for that game, and I want to go down there and get this win, start off the year right.”

Thomas, who attended McClymonds High less than five miles from Memorial Stadium, said the stands will be “stacked full” of family members.

And while the return to Cal will not be a homecoming for Bhaghani, a San Diego native, the game is important to him too.

“It’s almost a dream come true to go play at the school that my career started at,” Bhaghani said. “I’m going to enter the game as any other, but it’s a significant game for me, and I definitely want to perform to my level.”

As much as Bhaghani wants to downplay the personal significance of the season opener, he acknowledged he has been counting down the minutes to his return.

And that includes talking with Thomas and Matthews about their excitement.

“I’ll go up to them almost every day and be like, ‘Hey, two weeks, three weeks,’ so they know it’s important for all of us, and with this day and age in college football, it’s important to put a lot of pride into those types of games,” Bhaghani said.

UCLA receiver Mikey Matthews runs with the ball against Washington at the Rose Bowl on Nov. 22.

(Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times)

Bhaghani is not alone in his belief in revitalizing the historic rivalry between UCLA and Cal. In an era when conferences increasingly lack regional ties, the fanfare and excitement of annual battles between old rivals is on the decline.

But Cal general manager Ron Rivera wants to bring back the Bear Bowl — and not just for this season.

“Just the fact that we are playing UCLA again, that’s huge for both universities. They’re one of our natural rivals and we are going to rekindle that and hopefully we can keep that going, kind of like what we do with Stanford,” Rivera told reporters. “It’s one of those natural things you want to see. It’s a big deal for a lot of the L.A. kids that come up here and play, that they’re playing against those guys.”

Both schools’ decision to renew the rivalry already has paid off, with Lupoi and Cal deciding Wednesday to remove the tarps off the seats in the south end zone of Memorial Stadium as a sold-out crowd is expected, potentially the largest in more than a decade.

While adversarial crowds often are a home-field advantage, Matthews understands the challenge that lies ahead but is excited to be back and playing in front of the Cal faithful.

“We definitely have to come out fast. It’s going to be pretty packed over there, so we just got to let them know that we’re going to be on that timing and everything over there,” Matthews said. “But it’s going to be cool going back to see everything, and I like that environment and atmosphere over there because they have great fans over there as well.”

Despite the excitement and anticipation surrounding potentially one of the biggest games of Week 1, not everyone is treating it as such.

Ford, for one, said he’s looking at the opener like any other game on the schedule.

“It’s the most exciting game because it’s the next game,” Ford said. “After that, the next game will be the most exciting. I’m just ready to go, whoever we play, it doesn’t really matter.”

Bhaghani is less reserved in his view of the matchup.

“I wear the blue and gold with a lot of pride and I really do believe UCLA is the best public university in the country,” Bhaghani said. “I really do put a lot on that game, and everybody on our team will, as a season opener, two schools with brand new head coaches. It’s going to be a shootout, and we’ll come out on top.”

Don’t ever doubt the toughness of Max Eldridge from Corona Santiago High.

During football season, he’s a 6-foot-3, 220-pound defensive lineman who loves to make quarterbacks feel uncomfortable. He recorded four sacks in the season opener last week against Yucaipa and another on Friday against Temescal Canyon.

As an outfielder-pitcher for the baseball team, he showed off power with his bat and arm. He had eight home runs last season. He’s committed to UC San Diego for baseball.

For him to keep playing football even though baseball will be his sport in college shows that he wants to make his senior year memorable and enjoy his final months playing with his best friends.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

New headlines this week are raising concerns for parents of high school football players.

According to a study published from researchers at Mass General Brigham, Boston University and the Concussion & CTE Foundation, one in four former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 might have had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). There were 338 brains donated to study, and 315 of them had evidence of CTE, a brain disorder that can happen because of repeated injuries to the head.

Allan Walsh, a sports agent and lawyer, said in a tweet: “This is a crisis.”

Parents have previously debated among themselves the risks and rewards in letting a son or daughter play a contact sport, but this new study regarding football head injuries is once again going to rattle, if not cause a retreat, from some allowing family members to participate in football.

“It causes concern,” said Mike Hamilton, a former high school football and basketball coach who has a son playing football at Chatsworth High. “Sometimes I’m like, ‘Do I want him to play?’ I’m apprehensive. He has a passion for the game. He’s conscience about his health. What gives me relief is knowing that practices are going well. There are protocols parents should abide by. We didn’t let our son play football until he got to high school because of the hits.”

Tim Moscicki, an athletic trainer at Loyola High for 38 years, said much has changed for the better in protecting football players from concussions and other head injuries. He said new policies, improved equipment, a focus on tackling fundamentals and new protocols are all having an impact.

Loyola athletic trainer Tim Moscicki doing baselining of students in 2014 to help diagnose concussions.

(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)

He remembers the days when coaches would say, “He got his bell rung.” The player would sit out a few plays, then get put back in. Now that term is barred from everyone’s vocabulary. New rules requiring players to sit out a minimum of seven days following a concussion while needing clearance from a doctor to return and tackling restrictions put in during weekly practices show the CIF is taking CTE concerns in a serious matter for high school sports.

“To me. football has gotten a lot safer,” Moscicki said. “Right now, given what’s in place, it’s safe to play football. Kids are being held out now when they develop any kind of symptom. Back in 1990, if a kid had a concussion and they were free of symptoms for 24 hours, we’d give them their helmet back, ‘You can play.’

“My thing it’s still up to parents if they want their sons to play football. My youngest played football, oldest played lacrosse. There’s always a risk. There’s a risk riding a bike. There’s risk playing baseball. It’s a just a little higher in the full-contact sports. The standards have changed so much. There really wasn’t a return to play protocol in the ‘70s ‘80s and ‘90s.”

Moscicki was one of the first high school athletic trainers to do baselining of all students, giving them tests of their balance and brain functions so it can be used and compared with a similar exam if the student is suspected of having a concussion. Loyola also started a return-to-school program because students with concussions have headaches that also affects their school work.

Parents must understand “you cannot prevent a concussion,” Moscicki said.

“If you get hit hard enough, there’s nothing out there that would 100% prevent a concussion,” he said. “A concussion happens as a result of your brain hitting the inside of your skull.”

The good news is everyone seems to be endorsing funding research into head injuries, including the NFL. It’s still too early to conclude where the research is headed.

That’s where parental choice comes into play.

“Football is a sport,” Moscicki said. “You don’t have to play it. You don’t have to watch it.”

And yet, the Super Bowl is the most watched annual television broadcast in the United States, with lots of monetary rewards for those who participate.

There are many challenges ahead. Pierce College and Orange Coast College paused their junior college football programs this year for lack of players. Junior varsity programs at lots of high schools have been discontinued for lack of players. A CIF participation survey for 2025-26 found 11-man football is the most popular boys sport with 87,718 participants, a drop of 4% from last school year.

“Anything that’s a contact sport runs a risk,” Hamilton said. “You want to protect your son.”

Giff Smith addressed the issue head-on.

On the first night of training camp, the Rams’ defensive line coach sat down with each of his charges individually and, among other topics, talked about Aaron Donald.

From the moment the Rams traded for end Myles Garrett, a two-time NFL defensive player of the year, the talk of the offseason was that Donald, a three-time defensive player of the year, might come out of retirement and join a Rams team favored to win the Super Bowl.

The Rams of course would welcome the return of the future Hall of Famer. But if it happens, it also could have ramifications for other players’ playing time and, possibly, future contracts.

So Smith welcomed players’ questions.

“I’m a very open and honest guy,” Smith said, “and they deserve the respect to be able to voice whatever concerns or answers they’re looking for.

“And the answers I have, I give. The ones I don’t, I don’t. But let’s clear the air. What’s your concerns? Let’s get some clarity and make sure we’re on the same page.”

As the Rams worked to trim their roster to 53 players by Sunday’s NFL deadline, they still were waiting on Donald’s decision.

Coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead have said Donald can take all the time he needs. And McVay indicated it would not be problematic if Donald decides after the initial roster is set.

“Whenever a decision is made, if that is the direction that he goes where he wants to play, then we have plans accordingly,” McVay said.

Defensive lineman Kobie Turner, a team captain, is in a contract year. Ostensibly, the attention teams would devote to Garrett and Donald might provide Turner with more opportunities for splash plays.

But Donald’s playing time and contract — whether it be for the $30 million he was owed had he not retired, or a more cap-friendly, incentive-laden deal possibly coupled with other contract restructures — could affect the Rams’ ability and timing to extend Turner and other members of the 2023 draft class.

Rams defensive lineman Kobie Turner stands on the field during a win over the Detroit Lions in December.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

Turner played with Donald as a rookie in 2023 and soaked up as much as he could from the eight-time All-Pro before ascending to become a team leader.

Throughout the Rams’ wait on Donald, Turner said it has been “cool” to continue building culture and cohesiveness among the defensive front.

“And then knowing if Aaron does take the opportunity to come back, then he’s just going to be able to add to our group,” Turner said.

Braden Fiske, a third-year pro whose playing time also could be affected if Donald returns, echoed Turner. The opportunity to play with Donald and Garrett, who have a combined 236½ sacks, would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Fiske said.

“That’s Hall of Fame talent,” he said. “It’s not every day you get to play next to one, let alone two. So just the opportunity to learn and grow from whatever [Donald’s] able to bring to the table would be awesome.”

Fiske got an up-close look when he went through a speed and agility workout with Donald.

“Clearly, he hasn’t lost much of a step,” Fiske said, laughing.

Smith noted the same after watching Donald go through an on-field workout during training camp. Because Smith and team trainers were present, the session was listed as a “tryout” on the NFL’s transaction wire.

Donald’s natural ability, his attention to detail and fundamental technique remain “off the charts,” Smith said.

“Like I told him, ‘Selfishly, I want you back. I mean want to coach you, the all-time greatest one,’” Smith said. “But he’s going to make the right decision when the time’s right. And I’m all in with AD on whatever.

“If he decides to play, no doubt, he makes us better. If he doesn’t decide to play, come hang out, be a part of the family, help us get better.

“And he’ll make the right decision.”

For a player who has been so improbable, the Dodgers must now do the impossible.

When it comes to pitching, they must shut Shohei Ohtani down.

Despite suffering a knee ailment and biceps soreness this season, Ohtani is slowly trying to take the mound for the first time in more than two months.

Stop. Just stop.

The Dodgers have no business sticking Ohtani back on the mound. He belongs out there no more than Kiké Hernandez does.

There’s no two ways about it — the Dodgers should not plan on jamming Ohtani back into the starting rotation.

The Dodgers should thank him for his passion, applaud him for his 1.79 ERA in his first 14 starts, promise to return his resin bag next season, and ask him to go to work on that bat.

As much as the fans want to see all Ohtani, all of the time, the next couple of months are not about celebrating a novelty, they’re about winning a championship, and Ohtani can best get that done by avoiding another injury to himself on the mound and directing all of his efforts at the plate.

Recently, his hitting needs all the help it can get. After Saturday’s loss in Detroit, it had been a startling nine games since Ohtani homered or collected an RBI. During that span he had more than twice as many strikeouts as hits (13-5).

In this final month he needs to concentrate on getting his swing right and not worry about bullpens or openers or piggy-backs or any of the numerous machinations involved in getting him back on the mound.

Bottom line, the Dodgers need him more at the top of the order than in the middle of the diamond, and for now, he shouldn’t be in two places at once.

Bottom, bottom line, there is a sense that the Dodgers agree.

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani follows through on a pitch during a game last month at Dodger Stadium.

(Harry How / Getty Images)

Ohtani threw about 20 pitches in a bullpen session Friday and wasn’t 100%, and that set off alarm bells with the Dodgers’ bosses.

While guessing that Ohtani’s balky left knee would not allow him to be 100% by October, manager Dave Roberts openly wondered Saturday whether a pitching comeback is worth the effort.

“Obviously, where we’re at right now with the pitching, the starting pitching certainly being a strength, his value offensively is hugely important, and so we can’t compromise that in any fashion,” Roberts told reporters in Detroit. “So, if throwing potentially cuts into that, that’s not worth the squeeze. So that’s something for me. Very, very bullish on making sure we don’t compromise the hitting.”

Did you hear that? Not worth the squeeze? Exactly.

Are you listening, Ohtani? He’s always been the ultimate team player, so if the Dodgers asked his permission to shut him down, he would agree, right? Right?

Keeping Ohtani off the mound for the rest of the season is a radical view, certainly — c’mon, you’re paying the dude $700 million to hit and pitch! — but it’s a view backed by common sense.

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani prepares to bat during a game earlier this month as Dodger Stadium.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

Point One: The Dodgers won a World Series in 2024 with Ohtani strictly hitting, so it can be done.

Point Two: Last postseason, even with his three-homer, 10-strikeout gem in the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Ohtani had a playoff ERA of 4.43.

Playing in the postseason is hard. Pitching and hitting in the postseason is nearly impossible. That magical Brewers clincher was his only shining moment.

Point Three: They recently acquired Tarik Skubal specifically to reduce the need for Ohtani, and they now have a nearly unbeatable rotation without Ohtani.

With Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow having returned strong from injuries, they have four starters who easily can dominate a series.

Check out the current seven-game span of games started by Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Skubal, Snell and Tyler Glasnow.

They gave up as many as three runs only twice. They pitched less than six innings only once. Their ERA was 2.38.

Point Four: The struggling Dodgers offense desperately needs Ohtani to get right at the top. Who is going to get the big hit if he doesn’t? Entering the last month, the candidates are few.

Not a slowing Mookie Betts. Not psyched-out Kyle Tucker. Not aging Teoscar Hernández. Maybe Freddie Freeman, but he hasn’t hit a home run since July 4. And maybe Max Muncy, if they pitch to him.

Will Smith will be returning this week after a prolonged absence, and that will help, but not enough.

If anything happens to sideline Ohtani the hitter, the Dodgers are sunk, period.

And if he pitches, lots could happen to him.

The knee. The elbow. Whatever it was that has kept him off the mound since July 3. So much can go wrong if he’s pitching, and any pitching injury could have the double whammy of sidelining him as a hitter.

“I think 100% for me as far as an offensive player, that’s very important,” Roberts said. “As a pitcher, for me, given the strength of our staff, our team, I don’t think that’s as important. I think it’s important for us not to compromise his health in any capacity. But for me, it’s just his presence in the batter’s box is hugely important to him.”

Yes, Ohtani wants to pitch. Yes, the Dodgers promised him he could pitch. But that was before the injuries and the acquisitions and the slump.

Everything is different now. The landscape has changed.

The Dodgers no longer need the arm so badly that they can risk the bat.

Barely 20 bullpen pitches at the end of August? He’s clearly not going to be 100% by October, so shut him down and let him swing.

Shohei Ohtani is 32 and finishing his ninth season. He’s not a kid anymore.

He’s not infallible anymore.

Having him pitch and hit for a second consecutive October indeed would be a great story.

But having him use his bat to lead the Dodgers to a three-peat would be a better one.

Swedish club Djurgardens have agreed a National League record fee thought to be in excess of £1.5m to sign winger Abdul Abdulmalik from Boreham Wood.

The 23-year-old’s move breaks the record fee paid for a fifth-tier player in England, set in 2012 when Leicester City paid Fleetwood Town £1m for Jamie Vardy.

Abdulmalik is currently in Sweden completing a medical after the deal was agreed on Sunday morning.

The forward enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2025-26, scoring 17 goals and providing 10 assists as Boreham Wood reached the National League play-off final, where he scored and set up a goal at Wembley.

The agreement also brings to an end a long-running transfer saga, with the Hertfordshire club having rejected bids of £1m and £1.5m for the former Millwall academy player earlier this summer.

Abdulmalik said: “I’m ready for the next challenge. I’m ready to prove to myself and those around me that I’m capable of reaching the top.”

He scored in his final appearance for Boreham Wood in mid-August but subsequently made himself unavailable for selection in an attempt to secure a move.

Clubs in England, including Peterborough United, had also expressed an interest.

Abdulmalik was previously an England Under-17s international but was released by Millwall in 2024 and had an unsuccessful trial at Portsmouth.

Stockholm-based Djurgardens are currently fifth in the Allsvenskan – which runs from April to November – but have two games in hand on the majority of their rivals and remain in contention to qualify for Europe.

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

Southern Section

Chaminade 25, Harvard-Westlake 7

Eastside 49, PACS 0

Flintridge Sacred Heart 20, Louisville 6

Long Beach Cabrillo 8, Long Beach Jordan 6

Redondo Union 33, Beaumont 25

Sage Hill 31, Newport Beach Pacific Christian 0

Intersectional

Eagle Rock 20, Monrovia 7

Lakewood St. Joseph 21, Atherton Sacred Heart Prep 0

SATURDAY’S RESULTS

City Section

Arleta 18, Los Angeles Marshall 6

Carson13. Narbonne 0

Garfield 26, Arleta 18

Wilmington Banning 49, Los Angeles Marshall 13

Wilmington Banning 32, Garfield 0

Southern Section

Adelanto 25, Lancaster 0

Ayala 27, Newbury Park 18

California Military 45, Entrepreneur 6

Camarillo 20, Ayala 19

Camarillo 25, Newbury Park 14

Capistrano Valley 21, San Juan Hills 14

Chaparral 14, Murrieta Mesa 8

Chino 12, San Dimas 8

Chino 37, Riverside Notre Dame 12

Citrus Valley 19, Xavier Prep 0

Colony 26, Summit 13

Colony 21, Crean Lutheran 13

Crean Lutheran 14, Summit 7

Dos Pueblos 58, Fillmore 0

El Dorado 18, Ontario Christian 6

El Dorado 34, Paramount 0

El Dorado 21, San Dimas 13

El Toro 30, Corona Centennial 14

El Toro 25, Santa Margarita 15

Garden Grove Santiago 18, Ocean View 0

Mission Viejo 20, Portola 6

Mission Viejo 20, San Juan Hills 12

Murrieta Valley 7, Great Oak 6

Nogales 12, Arroyo 0

Ontario Christian 26, Chino 13

Orange 27, Ocean View 2

Oxnard 20, Rosary 6

Pacific 36, Rubidoux 0

Portola 21, Capistrano Valley 20

Redlands 38, Jurupa Hills 6

Riverside Poly 25, Corona 14

Rosary 12, St. Bonaventure 0

Santa Margarita 20, Corona Centennial 12

Santa Ynez 20, St. Bonaventure 0

Torrance 13, Bellflower 6

Upland 19, Ontario Christian 6

Upland 21, Paramount 0

Upland 20, Yucaipa 7

Ventura 19, Santa Ynez 6

Vista Murrieta 19, Temecula valley 6

Yucaipa 7, San Dimas 0

Intersectional

Dos Pueblos 18, Scripps Ranch 6

Franklin 19, Inglewood 7

Newport Harbor 32, Atherton Sacred Heart Prep 0

Oxnard 21, Scripps Ranch 12

Palos Verdes 25, San Pedro 0

Scripps Ranch 34, Fillmore 14

In the heat of rural Leicestershire, the Samba Stars are chasing their dream.

Head coach Freddie Okyere has just finished a shooting exercise and allows the squad to catch their breath.

The teenagers from the Ghanaian academy, which is backed by former West Ham and Nottingham Forest forward Michail Antonio, have spent two and a half months in England with one goal – impressing clubs and earning a contract.

While scouts do visit west Africa, it is rare for academies to travel to the UK to put their players directly in front of professional clubs.

“The talent the lads have is incredible,” said Antonio.

“We created Samba Stars Academy to give young players in Ghana access to elite coaching, shape them as players and create real avenues into the pro game and show how much talent Ghana has.”

Based in Kumasi while building a new facility in Bompata, just over 100 miles north of Ghana’s capital Accra, the Samba Stars’ tactic has paid off.

Bournemouth, Everton, Manchester City, Charlton, Preston, Barnsley and Peterborough have all taken players on trial this summer.

“The first two or three weeks it hadn’t sunk in, but then they saw the facilities we’d be [using] and the teams we were playing,” said Okyere.

“They want to go and show what they can do. They are hungry, they really want it. I’m hoping there will be so much interest because we have so much talent here.

“With the facilities we will have in Ghana we feel we will be top two, top three [academies]. We hope we can bring the best of Ghana to Europe.”

There are other success stories, with midfielder Listowell Lord Hinneh joining Middlesbrough in February after a trial., external

The 18-year-old has trained with the first team after swapping west Africa for England’s north east.

“When I came in January, it was so cold. Experiencing something like that for the first time was tough,” he told BBC Sport.

“Moving was a big milestone. It just makes me feel the dreams I’ve been having, thinking of trying to find myself in Europe to become a professional footballer.

“I feel the kind of dreams that I want, I’m on the verge. I’m on the way [to] becoming who I wanted to become.”

Hinneh – whose sister Groovy lives in Leeds – met with the Samba Stars squad on their trip, offering advice.

“[I told them] what you’ve been dreaming about the future, it starts from here,” he said.

“Don’t just try, be so passionate. You need to play and enjoy it because you can have the success in whatever you’re doing. You have to just put your heart in it.”

Kyle Schwarber hit a go-ahead RBI double and Trea Turner had a two-run single in the 10th inning in the Philadelphia Phillies’ 4-2 victory over the Angels on Saturday night.

Phillies closer Jhoan Duran (2-4) threw a scoreless ninth and gave up an unearned run in the 10th as Philadelphia won for the 12th time in 14 games. The Angels (52-84) have lost six straight.

The top of the 10th began with automatic runner Brandon Marsh getting thrown out at third on J.T. Realmuto’s grounder to short off Angels reliever Trevor Martin (0-1). Justin Crawford singled, advancing Realmuto to third.

Schwarber blooped an RBI single to left-center for a 2-1 lead, Crawford taking third and Schwarber second on the throw. Turner squibbed a grounder through the right side of a drawn-in infield for a two-run single and a 4-1 lead.

Angels shortstop Zach Neto capped a 12-pitch at-bat in the eighth with a solo homer off Phillies reliever Jonathan Bowlan, tying the score 1-all and snapping a string of 30 consecutive innings without an extra-base hit for the Angels.

Neto’s 23rd homer spoiled a superb start by Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez, who allowed two hits, struck out eight–bringing his season total to 202–and walked one in seven innings to lower his ERA to 2.52.

The Phillies (76-60) blew a chance to tack on to a 1-0 lead in the eighth, an inning that began with a Turner single and stolen base and a Harper walk. Turner was caught off the second-base bag and picked off.

Harper took second and third on a wild pitch, but Luis Arraez grounded to first, Harper holding. Harper was called safe on a daring steal of home off Martin, but the call was overturned by replay, ending the inning.

Angels starter Ryan Johnson managed to give up one run in five innings despite issuing four of his five walks and throwing 60 of his 88 pitches in the first two innings. The Phillies took a 1-0 lead in the second when Alex Bohm singled, Bryson Stott walked and Marsh hit an RBI single.

Up next: Phillies RHP Zack Wheeler (10-5, 3.40 ERA) was set to face Angels LHP Yusei Kikuchi (0-4, 6.25) on Sunday in the series finale.

Sabalenka’s four Grand Slam singles titles – two Australian Open and two US Open triumphs, all on hard courts – are more than most players can dream of.

However, she has also lost four major finals and six semi-finals, despite a consistency on the biggest stages that is unrivalled among her peers.

The concern in recent months has been Sabalenka’s mental focus disappearing in less pressurised situations.

This was most recently apparent in her Cincinnati Open fourth-round defeat by 20-year-old Czech opponent Sara Bejlek. Sabalenka led 5-1 in a first-set tie-break and 4-1 in the second set, but continued to lack composure in the rallies as Bejlek rallied to win 7-6 (9-7) 6-4.

At her previous tournament in Toronto, she lost to Russian world number 19 Ekaterina Alexandrova in the last 16 as her serve crumbled.

During the clay-court swing, Sabalenka capitulated after winning the first set against Hailey Baptiste in Madrid, Sorana Cirstea in Rome and, most notably, Diana Shnaider at Roland Garros.

“I work on my mental side of the game. I’ve been trying to reset my mind and to come back stronger,” a bullish Sabalenka said in New York.

“It’s only a matter of time for me to come back.”

One of the more remarkable streaks in the history of this nearly century-old racetrack is still alive.

It’s just not the one most people expected.

Gold Phoenix’s bid to join Kelso as the only horses to win the same major stakes race in North America in five straight years ended Saturday evening when the 8-year-old gelding finished fourth behind Test Score and two others in the $300,000 Del Mar Handicap.

“Got beat, I think less than a length, and got stopped there at the top of the lane,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “That’s grass racing.”

More specifically, it’s grass racing at Del Mar against Graham Motion, the East Coast trainer who in recent years has been more successful here than a margarita concession stand.

Test Score was the eighth horse Motion has sent to Del Mar for a summer stakes race since 2022 — and the eighth to win.

“It’s crazy,” said assistant trainer Alice Clapham, who accompanied Test Score on his trip west. “It’s one of those things you just pinch yourself. You know it’s going to stop at some point but you just go along for the ride.”

Gold Phoenix’s owners know the feeling.

They never expected their gelding to win this race four straight times, an unprecedented feat at Del Mar, but each year since 2022 he found a way, prevailing three times by less than half a length and once by 1¼ lengths.

This time the 11-10 favorite found himself on the wrong side of a five-horse photo finish. He nosed out Mondego but was a head behind Atomic Age, who was half a length behind Atitlan, who was a neck behind Test Score. The winner, a son of Lookin at Lucky who is half Gold Phoenix’s age, paid $7.20 as the 13-5 second choice.

While disappointed, Gold Phoenix’s connections weren’t about to ask for condolences.

“We’re so grateful for everything that he has done, for all of us and the partners,” said Gary Fenton, managing partner of Little Red Feather Racing Stable. “He’s just a really, really special horse and today changes nothing.”

Said Billy Koch, Little Red Feather’s other managing partner: “It just didn’t work out the way we needed it to work out. He tries, though, every time. Can’t say anything but be proud of him.”

Koch said he had a feeling during the race that another win could be problematic. Gold Phoenix was near the back of the pack in the field of 11 until the far turn, when jockey Hector Berrios began urging him. The jockey had to hold him up just a bit as they came around the corner, though he had a clear run once he shifted toward the rail.

Test Score also rallied from behind but had a little smoother journey under Juan Hernandez and outdid the other closers.

“[Berrios] took a chance to go up in there,” D’Amato said. “It got a little tight but once he got through, he battled and we just got outrun.”

The final time of 2 minutes 14.76 seconds for 1-3/8 miles was the fastest since Gold Phoenix’s initial win (2:14.51). As part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, Test Score earned a fees-paid berth in the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Turf on Oct. 31 at Keeneland.

Fenton said the plan is to give Gold Phoenix another shot in that race, in which he’s finished fourth twice, fifth and 10th and earned $640,000 — about 25% of his career earnings of $2.6 million.

He won’t be the only Little Red Feather horse at Keeneland. Just a half-hour before Gold Phoenix’s race, Iron Man Cal pulled off an 8-1 upset in another Grade 2 race, the $250,000 Pat O’Brien. That win, in 1:22.02 for seven furlongs under Joel Rosario, guaranteed the 4-year-old gelding a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

BBC Sport pundit Joe Hart believes Alexander Isak dropping deep to receive the ball instead of staying forward is a sign the striker is low in confidence, and isn’t having the ball played to him in areas where he can be most effective.

MATCH REPORT: Liverpool 2-2 Nottingham Forest – Premier League

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BBC Sport pundit Ashley Williams analyses Alex Scott’s “impressive” display, after the midfielder scored Bournemouth’s only goal in their 1-1 draw against Everton in the Premier League.

MATCH REPORT: Bournemouth 1-1 Everton – Premier League

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